Bulletin for October 28 to November 3, 2011

Paul Warner (left) with today's speaker, US Sentaor Orrin Hatch.

Upcoming Provo Rotary Luncheon Meetings and Events

November 3: BYU Basketball Coach Dave Rose

November 24: No meeting. Happy Thanksgiving!

December 1: Kevin Garlick, Head of Provo City Power, speaking on cost-effective initiatives at PCP.
December 8: David Hall, President of Novatek, speaking about his innovative firm and its Vista program for efficient housing.

December 15: Annual Club Christmas Party at Riverside Country Club 

December 22 and December 29: No meetings. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Report of the Weekly Luncheon Meeting held October 27, 2011

Today's luncheon meeting was held at Riverside Country Club. President Steve Densley conducted with Ron Roberts at the piano and Jill Moon leading the crowd in singing the Anthem and reciting the Pledge. An invocation was offered by Ray Beckham.

     Guests: Julie Bolton introduced her mother Sunny Landegger and her daughter Heather. Jim Calder introduced his guest, former Provo Rotary Club president Harm Steed. Rick Hood introduced his brother-in-law Jeff Walker of Riverwoods Surgical Center. Scott Miller introduced his associate at United Way Rachel  Bennion. Vaughn Park introduced his friend and former Provo Rotarian Michael Frandsen. Les Smith introduced his guests Rick Nielsen and Larry Banks, principals of Rocky Mountain University of Health Sciences. Paul Warner inroduced his guest David McDougal, chairman of America's Freedom Festival, and former Provo Rotarian Stan Lockhart of IM Flash Technologies. Gary Wiest introduced his wife Sharon. There were also several guests with the speaker.

     Steve Sabins reported that the past-presidents of the Provo Rotary Club met last Tuesday and selected new officers: Rick Hood will serve as club president 2014-2015. New directors who will serve for two years beginning next July are: Jill Moon, Pete Pletsch and Les Smith. Congratulations to the new club leaders.

     Craig Carlile served as sergeant.

    Paul Warner introduced today's guest speaker, US Senator Orrin Hatch who has served in the Senate for thirty-five years representing Utah. He took questions from the group and spoke about several issues.

     The BCS (Bowl Championship Series) in college football is one of the most corrupt organizations in the US.

     BYU Coach Dave Rose is doing a great job with his basketball program.

     Senator Hatch was instrumental in getting LDS Apostle Elder Dallin Oaks to testify before Congress a couple of weeks ago regarding taxation issues.

     He opposed to a plan being floated by Arizona to charge a toll for those traveling on the 29-miles of I-15 between Southern Utah and Nevada to raise funds for highway mainenance.

     He is in favor of uranium mining in an area near the Utah-Arizona border to make the US self-sufficient in this vital mineral which is now being imported.

     When asked about the three most important issues regarding debt reduction in the US, he placed them in this order:

     FIRST: Reduce the size of government by passing a balanced-budget amendment to the US Constitution. He has introduced such legislation thirteen times.

     SECOND: Reform labor laws.

     THIRD: Remove several large government departments including the EPA and the Department of Education.

     Saving Hill Air Force Base is one of his ongoing struggles.

     The National Security Agency's new $2 billion spy center at Camp Williams will be the most important security system in the world. The location was chosen primarily because of the high quality of college graduates in Utah.

     70% of the land in Utah is owned by the US Government contributing to a low tax base for the state.

     He mentioned the Congressional super-committee on debt reduction.

     Spending for Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and the budget for the Department of Defense comprise 60% of the national budget. Currently 25% of the US population is on either Medicare or Medicaid. The aging population is living longer because of access to better food and medical care. Medicare and Social Security reform will become more urgent in the near future. He mentioned several reform options.

     President Obama's jobs bill was designed to fail so he could blame Congress. Even most Democrats oppose it. It was defeated in the US Senate 97-0.

     Many states are in debt. The total of all state indebtedness is around $118 billion. The US Government cannot afford to bail them out.

     US citizens paying NO federal income taxes has increased from 42% to 51% since President Obama took office. These will be his largest voter base for the next election.

     Every US citizen should contribute something to support the federal government, even if it's only $1 each.

     The upcoming presidential election is the most important in history. There is only one candidate who can defeat President Obama: Mitt Romney. It will be very difficult.

Senator Hatch (2nd from left) with Rotarian Les Smith (right) and
guests from the Rocky Mountain University of Health Sciences.