Economist Milton Friedman (1912-2006) said US economic history has two chapters before and after 1913; the year of the 16th Amendment (income tax) and the Federal Reserve. Before 1913, the US had limited Fed Government and free market capitalism, and after 1913 had big Government, top down management of the economy, and wealth redistribution (ie: progressivism). In 1960 the US economy was 1/3rd that of Great Briton and by 1895 the US had the largest economy, highest standard of living, largest middle class, trading area, and greatest personal economic mobility (from poor to rich). So, why the birth of Progressivism? Four reasons + Teddy Roosevelt was the answer. One: 1898 Imperialism required larger Government and tax base than US tariffs. Two: Trust busting of big industrialists (ie, Standard Oil) for the benefit of local high cost producers. Three: Because of 1907 bank panic the Federal Reserve was created to stabilize the $. Four: The political power was local (and in the US House) instead of the industrialists and Pres T R wanted a strong Executive for the “common good”.

The 2014 Annual meeting and Club Assembly were called to order at 8 am. The nominations for the slate of officers for the 2014-15 year were announced and discussions were opened. No nominations were received from the floor. The slate passed as nominated by unanimous decision. Bruce Fowler was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow times two. Jim Manley gave us an update on the Foundation. They have about $2k in the bank. There was a discussion on how the club and Foundation interact. Club update was provided by Nick Martinez. We have 34 active members. Financial update was provided by Steve Vaccarezza. Club is in good shape for scholarships this year and probably next. We do need to raise funds after that. Fundraising ideas were presented. Service projects were updated by Kevin Flynn and Nick Martinez in place of Mario Price. Kevin let us know that the Rock Creek cleanup will happen on April 5th. Nick let us know that Mario needs help with the dictionaries and Jim Manely volunteered. Our scholarship program was updated by Curt Huff and Kent Mason. Curt deferred due to time constraints and Kent updated us on the Teacher of the Year and the MC scholarships.

David manages IT strategy and planning for the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute at the NIH. He earned his undergraduate degree, despite 21 brain surgeries and a coma, from Rice University. He holds a Master’s degree in IT from GWU and is working on a Master’s of Public Health degree, majoring in epidemiology, at U of MD. David is a 30 year survivor of HIV and has made a personal study of treatments and epidemiology. He relies on nutritional supplements, but no drugs. His interest in the TWAWEZA Sanitation Project has led him to trips to Africa to study HIV in slums. His Dad enlisted at Ft Bolivar for duty in Vietnam and David was born in 1965. In addition to David’s health problems, his sister was autistic. David is soon on his way to Asia on a public health mission.