2009 News

October 27, 2009

Quite a Fruitful Visit
Commissioner Jim Cawley Reports on Successful “21st Century Alliance” Trip to the Republic of Korea’s Namdong District

Bridging the international divide has become an exciting new challenge for Bucks County government. During the Board of Bucks County Commissioners October 21 business meeting at Upper Makefield Township’s Crossing Vineyards, Vice Chairman James F. Cawley, Esq. delivered a comprehensive update of his just-completed trip to the Republic of Korea’s Namdong Gu District.

On July 24, at the Pearl S. Buck Historic Site in Perkasie, Namdong Mayor Yoon, Tae Jin invited Commissioners Charles H. Martin, Cawley and Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia, LCSW to visit the Republic of Korea during the Sorae Port Festival. The invitation, part of an historic “21st Century Alliance” between Bucks County and Namdong District, led to Commissioner Cawley’s acceptance. In conjunction with the Bucks County Economic Development Advisory Board (EDAB), the Korean visit included citizen members, elected officials and even a journalist, Bridget Wingert of the Bucks County Herald.

Commissioner Cawley spoke at length of the trip’s “very aggressive agenda,” which was aimed at economic development options and cultural exchange. “I had the great opportunity of leading a delegation of some very special Bucks Countians over to the Republic of South Korea, specifically to continue our ongoing relationship with the Namdong Gu District,” Commissioner Cawley noted. “I can tell you that our trip was quite fruitful, and was beneficial not only to the participants but also beneficial not only to the participants and, ultimately, to the greater Bucks County community.”

Logistically, the trip was a whirlwind for the 12-member Bucks County delegation. Departing from New York’s JFK Airport late on Monday, Oct. 12, the contingent arrived at the Republic of Korea’s Seoul Airport at 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday (Korean time). They were met by several “senior-level staff.” They were whisked to Mayor Yoon’s office, where they greeted members of the Namdong Council. According to attorney and trip coordinator Tom Jennings, everywhere the group visited, they found huge banners with the English words, “WELCOME BUCKS COUNTY DELEGATION.”

Commissioner Cawley personally thanked Mr. Jennings and Dr. Vail Garvin, executive director of the Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce, during his Oct. 21 remarks, as both delegation members added their synopsis of the Korean trip.

“This alliance is one of citizen diplomacy that builds into all of these areas,” Mr. Jennings explained. “I knew that we would be well-received, before we set foot in the Republic of Korea. I had no idea how well we would be received, with the extraordinary warmth that manifested itself in many ways. They thought of everything.”

Dr. Garvin called the trip “an incredible, life-changing experience.” “I am so proud of what we have here in Bucks County, and I think they are, too. It was just wonderful,” she added.

Building on discussions that took place during late July here in Bucks County, the delegation spoke to Korean leaders from multiple areas of expertise. “This is an alliance to stimulate economic development and job creation in our two locations, and to promote cultural and educational exchanges,” Commissioner Cawley stated. “We are exploring ways to cooperatively bring Namdong businesses here to Bucks County and open up markets for Bucks County businesses in South Korea.”

To that end, the county delegation included Falls Township Supervisor Robert Harvie, whose municipality is home to the Keystone Industrial Opportunity Zone (KOIZ).

Commissioner Cawley marveled at the technical expertise of the Korean culture. While the county delegation was present, officials put the finishing touches on the seventh longest bridge in the world. The 7.4-mile Incheon Bridge will cut more than 30 minutes off the commute from the delegation’s hotel to the Seoul Airport. “I am amazed that it took them just four years from design to completion,” Commissioner Cawley noted. He also spoke of a university campus roughly the size of Temple University that was built in less than two years.

As part of a busy agenda that featured daily meetings between 7 a.m.-10 p.m., the delegation attended the Sorae Port Festival. “Mayor Yoon went out of his way – and took some money out of the public coffers – to make sure the 2nd Army Infantry Band was there to honor the Bucks County delegates,” Commissioner Cawley said gratefully.

Dr Garvin feels the experience will bring a new perspective to her work with the Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce, noting, “I just want everyone here to know how very proud I felt to be part of the team of individuals that represented the businesses here. I also want to say thank you to the Commissioners. This globalized world we live in became ever so vivid to me when we went over there.”

Mr. Jennings believes the reciprocal visit has “built a foundation for a lot of good things to come.” Learning to speak the Korean language on a more proficient basis is one intermediate step. During its stay, the delegation visited an elementary school which, Commissioner Cawley observed, “was pretty aggressive on teaching English as a second language.”

“This is the first (international) relation in our county’s 300-year history, and I believe we chose wisely,” Commissioner Cawley added. “I come back with no signed agreements, no definites, but we are having ongoing discussions. This is about partnerships, people who will greatly benefit us, as we will benefit them.”

As leader of the county delegation, Commissioner Cawley frequently was asked to make a speech. Many of them were impromptu remarks. “You can be so proud that Commissioner Cawley represented the board with excellence,” Dr. Garvin told Commissioner Chairman Charles H. Martin and Commissioner Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia, LCSW. “Each one of his speeches was different, and I was proud of the way he handled himself in each unique event.”

MEMBERS OF THE BUCKS COUNTY DELAGATION THAT TRAVELED TO THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA INCLUDED:

• Bucks County Commissioner James F. Cawley, Esq.
• Falls Township Supervisor Robert Harvie
• Robert Byers of Byers Choice
• Jerry Jonas, Korean War veteran
• Dr. Vail Garvin, executive director of Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce
• Tom Jennings, attorney, Saul Ewing
• Bridget Wingert, Bucks County Herald
• David Werrett, financial advisor
• Ed Jasiewicz
• Georgiana Coles