2010 News
July 22, 2010
Commissioners Celebrate First Anniversary of “21st Century Alliance” with Delegation from Namdong, Korea
On July 24, 2009, at the Pearl S. Buck Historical Site in Perkasie, Bucks County Commissioners Charles H. Martin, chairman, James F. Cawley, Esq. and Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia, LCSW signed a “21st Century Alliance” with Mayor Yoon Tae Jin of the Republic of Korea’s Namdong District. During October, 2009, Commissioner Cawley joined a delegation of Bucks County business leaders in a reciprocal visit to Namdong.
During the afternoon of July 21, the commissioners welcomed a second delegation from Namdong to the Bucks County Courthouse. The visit included a discussion of possible business, cultural and educational exchanges and the presentation of a gold-framed oil painting by Bucks County artist Dot Bunn to the 10-member Namdong delegation. As the commissioners joined former Mayor Yoon and current Vice Mayor Hwang Heung Goo to unveil the painting gift in the Courthouse rotunda, a brief chorus of “ahhs” was heard from the Korean guests. In addition to the original art piece, entitled “Last of Autumn” and donated by Howard Cooperman of the Bucks County Gallery of Fine Art in New Hope, each member of the delegation received a framed photo replica of the painting.
“When we visited your home, we received a very generous to celebrate our partnership,” Commissioner Cawley said of the Korean artwork that is displayed permanently in the rotunda. “We were so impressed and touched by your generosity in October that we wanted to return the gesture at this time.”
Commissioner Cawley explained the choice of the painting as capturing “the essence of the countryside of Bucks County. We hope the people of Namdong enjoy it for many years to come.”
During the discussion of shared alliance goals, Commissioner Cawley expressed the desire to explore “potential business goals between our two peoples.” Topics included wine importing and exporting, biotechnology, electronics, energy and machinery.
Dr. Vail Garvin, executive director of the Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce and a member of last October’s Bucks County delegation, spoke of the “great joy of doing business in Bucks County,” adding: “There is no question in my mind some good business will come as a result of this trip.”
Namdong Vice Mayor Hwang invited the commissioners to make another visit to Namdong during 2011, an offer that the Bucks commissioners accepted. He asked also for a reciprocal exchange of performing artists and educational exchanges for youth and college students. He expressed gratitude to the United States for its role in the Republic of Korea’s current international prosperity.
The Korean delegation is in the midst of a busy schedule that also will include visits to several Bucks County companies, the county’s one-of-a-kind Moravian Pottery & Tile Works, attendance at Saturday’s noon Korean Armistice Memorial ceremony on the Courthouse courtyard lawn and Saturday afternoon’s Phillies game.
Philadelphia attorney Tom Jennings, who has been a key organizer of the 21st Century Alliance, told the Korean delegation that the alliance is a work in progress. “We want to bring unity to our approach where possible,” Mr. Jennings explained. “As with any undertaking, it will take time but we are working hard to make it a reality.”
MEMBERS OF THE NAMDONG DELEGATION, JULY 20-25, 2010
- Hwang Heung Goo – Vice Mayor of Namdong District
- Yoon Tae Jin – Former Mayor of Namdong District
- Kim Yun Sik – President, Incheon Small & Medium Business Corporation
- Kim Duk Bae – President, Namdong Industrial Complex Mgmt. Association
- Chang Kyong Dong – President, Morning Art Co., Ltd.
- Ryu Dae Hwan – President, Kobiotech Co. Ltd.
- Lee Kye Joon – Professor, School of Biological Sciences, Seoul University
- Suh Jung Hyun – Executive Director, Planning & Audit Office
- An Yun Sook – Planning Team Manager
- Hong Yun Jung – Public Official, International Affairs