© 2003, Rotary Club of Charleston

P.O. Box 21029
Charleston, SC 29413-1029

Club secretary:
Carroll Schweers
chasrot@comcast.net

Senate candidate Inez Tenenbaum speaks
State superintendent seeks move to Washington

JAN. 20, 2004 - Inez Tenenbaum, South Carolina's Superintendent for Education, discussed her bid for the United States Senate with Rotarians on Tuesday.

Touting the successes achieved in recent years in public education in South Carolina, Tenenbaum asked for voter support in the upcoming Senate election. Although running as a Democrat, Tenenbaum emphasized her reputation as a consensus-builder and her belief that there must be a willingness in Washington to work as nonpartisans in order to make necessary changes and advancements. Tenenbaum says she focuses on "issues, not politics."

One of her obvious goals, if elected, is to improve public education nationally. She said early childhood education is the "keystone" to our future and that "education is economic development." She supports strict, consistent nationwide standards in education and believes that the federal government, not states or localities, should fund the "No Child Left Behind" program.

Tenenbaum also would work for a "sound economy." She stressed that this must include a fair trade plan. She proposes tax incentives to help keep job losses to overseas markets at a minimum. She also said we need to be more fiscally conservative and wants to stop the "uncontrolled growth of the federal budget." She thinks that homeland security initiatives are "grossly underfunded" but believes that fighting terrorism requires more international support, including financial support. Tenenbaum also supports a bipartisan effort to keep health insurance costs down. "We need a new plan for affordable healthcare," she says.

In other business:

Rotarians held a moment of prayer for two recently deceased former Rotarians, John "Jack" Hassell, Jr. (49 years in Rotary) and Hammond "Bones" Bamberg (32 years in Rotary). Earl Walker was congratulated for being elected the President-Elect for 2004-2005. An announcement was made about the water systems installation trip to Ecuador. John Milkereit presented a CRF check to representatives from Fraser Elementary. Bonnie Lester gave the invocation and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Lisa Thomas welcomed our guests and visiting Rotarians. Craig Bennett offered Health and Happiness, and Anita Zucker provided a Rotary Moment. Andy Brack introduced our guest speaker, Inez Tenenbaum, candidate for U.S. Senate.

-- Amy Jenkins