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19th Day of German Unity Celebrated at the GA Tech Hotel
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- (© German Consulate General)
500 guests from the German-American community followed the invitation of Consul General Lutz Görgens and his wife Ulrike Görgens to join them in celebrating the 19th Day of German Unity on October 5th, 2009. Everybody seemed to enjoy this year’s venue, the Georgia Tech Hotel & Conference Center, which was selected in reference to the featured topic of renewable energies and sustainability and the excellent research that GA Tech has done in this area.
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- The Symphonic Winds Orchestra from Woodward Academy
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As guests entered the beautifully decorated ballroom, they were greeted by Consul General Görgens and other consular representatives. For a festive opening to the program, the national anthems were performed by 50 students of the Symphonic Winds Orchestra from Woodward Academy under the direction of Ben Hines.
Talking about good environmental practices in his speech, Consul General Lutz Görgens reminded the audience about a letter in the Atlanta Journal Constitution which heavily praised the practical and environmental advantages of "a most impressive train and bus system" in Germany.
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- Consul General Lutz Görgens
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"I would be happy to bring more German transportation experts to Atlanta," he said. "Trust me, a stronger public transportation system is no loss of liberty. We sure advocate the continued purchase of cars, particularly German brands. But the use of public transportation is an efficient complement to individual transportation and an important contribution to the reduction of CO2 emissions, and to the conservation and intelligent use of energy."
"Germany wants to join force with the U.S. to tackle the global and urgent challenges of climate change, energy security, and economic growth," Consul General Görgens remarked about the ongoing efforts of the "Transatlantic Climate Bridge" initiative. "We want to continue to bring German and American entrepreneurs, planners and politicians together, through a series of events later this year in Atlanta and other major cities of the Southeast. We want them to foster economic growth through the creation of jobs and new technical solutions."
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- GA-Senator Ross Tolleson
- (© German Consulate General)
One of the highlights of the evening was the keynote speech by GA-Senator Ross Tolleson, Chairman of the Natural Resources and Environment Committee, about the challenges and new developments with renewable energies in Georgia and about opportunities for Georgia and Germany to work together in solving the challenges that lie ahead. He informed the interested audience about several Georgia projects to protect the environment and to lower the dependence on foreign oil. Senator Tolleson also praised Germany for its leadership role in renewable energies, especially in the area of wind power.
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- Greg Frady, Head Coach of the German National Baseball Team (left) with Consul General Lutz Görgens
- (© German Consulate General)
During the program Consul General Görgens gave a warm welcome to several special guests, among them Greg Frady, the coach of the German National Baseball Team which had just reached their best placement ever at the 2009 World Cup in Germany.
He also greeted the three Atlanta participants of the "2009 German Street Soccer All-Star Trip" to Erfurt, Germany next week. They had come to the celebration with their families as a first introduction to German culture. Also in attendance was the team’s leader, Jill Robbins, the director of the non-profit organization "Soccer in the Streets".
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- Jill Robbins, Director of "Soccer in the Streets" (2nd from left) with the Atlanta members of the All-Star Team of the 2009 German Street Soccer Cup
- (© German Consulate General)
After the formal program of the evening was over, the guests enjoyed mingling and networking with old and new friends.
The ballroom of the Georgia Tech Hotel & Conference Center had been decorated with German posters and a large number of balloons and flags in the national colors and the sponsors of the event had set up extensive diplays to inform the guests about their products. The evening's car sponsor - Porsche of North America - displayed a brand-new Porsche Panamera in front of the hotel entrance.
The extensive German buffet, prepared by the hotel's chef Hermann Schatzer, with sausages, Spätzle, red cabbage, Sauerkraut and Leberkäs, earned many compliments. German wine and beer added to the authentic atmosphere.
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In its encore performance, the Wheel of Fortune at the Consulate’s information booth drew large crowds. The guests enjoyed trying their luck in spinning the wheel and winning one of the many prizes.
The 19th Day of German Unity was generously sponsored by Siemens, Hansgrohe, Poggenpohl, Ingenics, Porsche Cars of North America, BLG Logistics, and Bionade.
Speech by Senator Ross Tolleson
GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND INVITATION FOR ME TO SPEAK WITH YOU TONIGHT ABOUT ALTERNATIVE ENERGIES IN GEORGIA AND HOW TOGETHER, WE CAN EXPAND ON INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO MAKE GEORGIA A CLEANER, MORE EFFICIENT PLACE TO LIVE AND WORK. A TRIVIA FACT: WERE YOU AWARE THAT 1 HOUR OF SUNSHINE ON THE EARTH CAN POWER THE ENTIRE PLANET FOR 1 YEAR. IN GEORGIA WE TAKE STEPS EACH DAY TO BE PIONEERING LEADERS AND RESPECTFUL STEWARDS OF OUR NATURAL RESOURCES.
AS CHAIRMAN OF THE NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE, I SPONSORED SENATE BILL 30 WHICH ENCOURAGES THE USE OF ALTERNATIVE FUELS IN ORDER TO DECREASE GEORGIA’S DEPENDANCE ON FOREIGN OIL BY REQUIRING UNBLENDED GAS TO BE AVAILABLE FOR ETHANOL BLENDING. WE WORKED TIRELESSLY TO ENSURE THAT MORE PEOPLE ON THE SUPPLY AND DELIVERY CHAIN COULD PURCHASE AND MARKET GEORGIA PRODUCED ETHANOL IN ORDER TO PROMOTE A MORE ADVANCED, SELF-SUFFICIENT STATE.
WE HAVE ALSO ESTABLISHED AN ENERGY INNOVATION CENTER WHICH INTEGRATES OUR STATE’S RESEARCH, BUSINESS, AND GOVERNMENT RESOURCES TO ATTRACT AND GROW CLEAN ENERGY BUSINESSES IN GEORGIA. THE BIOENERGY ONE-STOP SHOP STREAMLINES THE PERMITTING PROCESS FOR ALTERNATIVE ENERGY COMPANIES BY CONNECTING THEM TO KEY STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES. I AM PROUD TO SAY THAT WITH OUR EFFORTS GEORGIA NOW HAS EIGHT BIODIESEL FACILITIES; THREE ETHANOL FACILITIES; A SOLAR MANUFACTURING FACILITY, AND SOON WILL HAVE THE NATION’S FIRST CELLULOSIC ETHANOL PLANT.
OGLETHORPE POWER CORPORATION, THE COUNTRY’S LARGEST POWER SUPPLY COOPERATIVE WILL BUILD AS MANY AS THREE BIOMASS ELECTRIC GENERATING FACILITIES IN GEORGIA. GEORGIA POWER RECENTLY GAINED APPROVAL TO CONVERT ONE OF ITS COAL-FIRED PLANTS TO A 96-MEGAWATT, 100 PERCENT WOOD-FIRED PLANT, ONE OF THE LARGEST BIOMASS PROJECTS OF ITS KIND IN THE COUNTRY. GEORGIA POWER IS ALSO SEEKING APPROVAL TO BUILD TWO NEW 1,100 MEGAWATT NUCLEAR REACTORS NEAR THE EAST COAST OF GEORGIA.
GEORGIA POWER IS CURRENTLY WORKING WITH ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE TO BUILD A BIOMASS ENERGY PLANT SO THAT ROBINS CAN BE TOTALLY SELF CONTAINED FOR ALL OF THEIR ELECTRICAL ENERGY SUPPLY. ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE IS GEORGIA’S LARGEST EMPLOYER.
SUNIVA, INC. ANNOUNCED IN JUNE OF 2008 THAT THEY WOULD LOCATE ITS FIRST SOLAR CELL FACILITY AND GEORGIA’S FIRST SOLAR MANUFACTURING PLANT IN NORCROSS. WORKING WITH TECHNOLOGY ADVANCES DEVELOPED AT GEORGIA TECH, THE ATLANTA-BASED COMPANY WILL MANUFACTURE HIGH-EFFICIENCY SOLAR CELLS. ALREADY SUNIVA HAS OPENED A 2ND PRODUCTION LINE AND A 3RD PRODUCTION LINE WILL OPEN IN EARLY 2010. THEY ALREADY HAVE 1 BILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF ORDERS FOR SOLAR CELLS.
GEORGIA HAS ALSO DEVELOPED A STATE ENERGY STRATEGY TO ADDRESS OUR CURRENT AND FUTURE ENERGY NEEDS. WHILE THIS IS A GREAT STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION WE MUST SUPPORT A COMPREHENSIVE ENERGY PLAN THAT MEETS THE ENERGY NEEDS OF OUR STATE AND OUR NATION. AN ENERGY PLAN WHICH FOCUSES ON LESS MODERATON AND REGULATION AND INCREASES THE AVAILABILITY OF ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES.
GEORGIA LEADS THE NATION IN THE NUMBER OF ACRES OF FOREST LAND. BIOENERGY FROM FOREST SOURCES IS A MAJOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE STATE OF GEORGIA. MANY PRODUCERS AND SUPPLIERS ARE INVOLVED IN THE BIOMASS SUPPLY CHAIN AND MUST BE BROUGHT TOGETHER TO ENHANCE THE DEVELOPMENT OF HIGHLY EFFICIENT AND INTEGRATED SUPPLY CHAINS.
MUCH RESEARCH IS BEING DONE ON MISCANTHUS GRASS THAT IS BELIEVED TO GREATLY INCREASE YEILD OF ACREAGE. WHERE A TYPICAL FOREST ACRE WILL YEILD 4 TONS PER YEAR, IT IS BELIEVED THAT MISCANTHUS CAN YEILD BETWEEN 15 TO 30 TONS OF RENEWABLE PRODUCT PER ACRE PER YEAR.
WE MUST FIND WAYS TO LESSEN OUR DEMAND FOR OIL AND INCREASE ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRODUCTION THROUGH THE USE OF AVAILABLE RESOURCES. THIS PLAN SHOULD INCREASE SOLAR POWER ADVANCEMENTS, NUCLEAR ENERGIES, FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGIES, AND OTHER ENERGY TECHNOLOGY THAT COMES ON THE MARKET TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF GROWING NATIONS.
GEORGIA MUST ALSO PURSUE RESPONSIBLE ENERGY CONSERVATION EFFORTS.
IN THE NEXT TWENTY YEARS WE NEED TO HAVE A FULLY INTEGRATED ENERGY STRATEGY KEEPING US SELF-SUFFICIENT, CURTAILING DEPENDENCE ON UNSTABLE COUNTRIES TO SUPPLY ENERGY NEEDS AND ENSURING A CLEANER ENVIRONMENT.
WITH THIS RENEWED ENERGY AVAILABILITY WE WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE PLACES LIKE GEORGIA A HOME THAT BUSINESSES, SUCH AS YOUR OWN, WILL WANT TO GROW AND THRIVE IN.
ANYONE CAN TALK ABOUT GOOD, SOLID ENERGY STRATEGIES. WE NEED LEADERSHIP IN GOVERNMENT AND IN OUR CORPORATIONS THAT WILL WALK THE WALK AND REALLY DO SOMETHING FOR SHORT AND LONG-TERM RELIEF. INDUSTRIES, SUCH AS YOURS, HAVE ALREADY BEGUN TO DO JUST THAT AND GEORGIA INTENDS TO BE ON THE CUTTING EDGE OF STRATEGIES.
TOGETHER YOUR COMPANIES HAVE IDENTIFIED WASTE AND MISUSE OF NATURAL RESOURCES. YOU HAVE TAKEN STEPS, THROUGH THE CREATION OF NEW INVENTIVE PRODUCTS, TO PROMOTE A CLEANER, MORE SUSTAINABLE EARTH. THIS IS LARGELY DUE TO THE IMPORTANCE THAT GERMANY PLACES ON ALTERNATIVE ENERGY INNOVATION AND CLEAN, RENEWABLE ENERGIES.
NOT ONLY ARE YOU THE LARGEST SOLAR THERMAL MARKET IN EUROPE, YOU ARE ALSO A PIONEER IN DEVELOPING WIND TECHNOLOGIES AND RAISING CAPACITIES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. YOU PUT YOUR TECHNOLOGY AND YOUR EFFORTS INTO MANUFACTURING WIND ENERGY SYSTEMS THAT CAN BE USED ACROSS THE GLOBE. YOU ARE HOME TO THE WORLD’S TALLEST WIND ENERGY SYSTEM.
YOU ARE AN EXAMPLE TO THE WORLD. YOU HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN MAINTAINING A WIDE-RANGING ECONOMY AND INCREASING YOUR NATIONAL PRODUCT WHILE AT THE SAME TIME LOWERING YOUR ENERGY CONSUMPTION. YOUR NATION AND YOUR COMPANIES HAVE BROUGHT INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO GEORGIA AND INDEED, THERE IS MUCH THAT WE CAN LEARN FROM YOU.
IT IS MY HOPE THAT TOGETHER WE CAN CONTINUE TO USE INNOVATION AND COMMON SENSE TO PROMOTE SMART, RENEWABLE ENERGIES THAT WILL CONTINUE TO BENEFIT YOUR COMPANIES, GERMANY AND THE GREAT STATE OF GEORGIA.
