Most people know the relationship of the white belt and the black belt. You've got your beginner, you've got your master, and you've got various colored ranks in between. Now, of all the systems out there that you use to color belt system, there appears to be one belt color that's the most versatile of all of them, and that is the red belt. And today we ask, why is the red belt the most important belt in the martial arts? So why is the red belt the most important belt in the martial arts? Previously, we did an episode on how many belt rings are in the martial arts, and we looked at a lot of different individual systems and how the colors impacted that particular system, and in some cases we touched upon the red belt. Now, what I find particularly interesting with the systems that use the colored grading system is that there's a bit of a universality in terms of when the colors are used for which ranks.  Your intermediate ranks are usually your blues, your purples, your greens, although sometimes it's not uncommon to find one of those colors in the beginning rank, but generally speaking, those are intermediate colors. Brown belt is almost always exclusively advanced belt ranks right before black belt, and of course black belt is your first time.  When you reach black belt, that really just means you are proficient with your basics, and now you can work on to your deeper training in an attempt to master your system. Even cooler is that, you know, some versions of Tongue Sudo use the midnight blue belt instead of the black belt, and we also covered that in the belt ranking episode, so go check that out if you want to learn more about that. But when it comes to the red belt, I find it really fascinating because here you've got your chart, you've got your beginner belts, you've got your intermediate belts, and you've got your advanced belts, and you will find 99% of times systems will have some sort of version of this. But when it comes to the red belt, it's a little bit of a wild card, whereas it can fit anywhere in this chart. You can see it anywhere, depending on the system. Sometimes you don't even see it at all, and in some cases, it encompasses the whole rank of belts. So I find the red belt a very fascinating color in the whole grand scheme of the color belt grading system. Now, while the red belt is very versatile, if we were to apply a universal concept to it, the closest association we can get to that is really that the red belt is often used as a master color or a master rank in many systems.  But in many cases, once you start hitting like fifth dan, sixth dan, and above, the belts might change from black to a red and white alternating color, which is called the Coral Belt. And in many cases, once you hit ninth and tenth dan, the belts become red, which signifies the master rank. This is very common, especially in the Okinawan systems that use the belt ranking coloring system. Now, in the American Kempo, the color red still signifies a master color, but we use it slightly differently. We don't typically have a solid red belt. Some schools may choose to do that, but typically traditionally in the Parker system, the red belt isn't there. But what we do do is for the black belt ranks, you know, from first dan all the way up to tenth dan, the belt stays black, but you use red bars and stripes to signify your rank order. And the concept there is we're always striving to become masters. We can always add a little bit of mastery to it, but we can never truly master everything. And that's kind of a reminder to that, that we're always learning and there's always room to technically add more expertise. So that's just an alternative way the color red can be used to note mastery. Now, when it comes to an art like Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, the red belt is a very highly esteemed rank. And I greatly admire Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for probably having the most consistent and highest standards for its belt ranking system. And when I say consistent is that you almost see the same color ranks from school to school to school.  And of course, you've got your 10 degrees from that point on. And once you know your first several belt ranks are solid black belts with stripes, and then you get to your coral belts. But in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, when you get up to your ninth and your tenth dan, that is the red belt. And it takes a lifetime of work to get there because there's such a high sense of esteem held with that rank. If you earn, and I mean, if you earn a red belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, you've pretty much committed your whole life and taken a good chunk of your lifetime to achieve that. So I really admire that the standards are there in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. But once again, you're seeing the red belt as the ultimate color. It is the level of mastery. So yes, as we can see in many cases, the red belt is a symbol of mastery. But sometimes the color red or the red belt is used in lower ranks, so it can be the opposite. So for example, you've got Shotokan. Now when it comes to Shotokan, you don't have the same consistent belt ranking from school to school. Every association, every school seems to have their own different order of colors. But in many times, I have seen the red belt as a lower rank, you know, second, third, fourth rank. Sometimes it's not in there at all. But every now and then it does pop up. But when it does pop up in Shotokan, you don't usually see it very high up on the list. It's usually a little bit lower. And then we have Kyokushin, in which the white belt is considered ungraded, so it's not a rank. Your first rank is your red belt. So in a system like Kyokushin, red belt is your first color that you get. So why does this differ so much between system to system? Well basically it comes down to each art has a different symbolism and different meaning and philosophy that they apply to their belts for their own specific purposes. So again, going back to American Campo, typically our belt colors go, you know, from white, yellow, orange, purple, blue, green, brown up to black. And basically there is the colors are getting darker as we go because we're absorbing more knowledge. We're getting better. We're getting more dense with our material. So the colors tend to darken. Now going back to Kyokushin, the red belt symbolizes the color of soil and earth, building the foundation from which the seeds of basics can be planted, cultivated, and grown upon. Now this is a common theme in Kyokushin and each belt has a philosophy behind each color. Another example would be the blue belt. The blue belt is the color of water and it represents that at this stage of training, the students should be able to flow and start to develop their own level of fluidity just like water would flow. So that was the intended meaning of the red belt in Kyokushin. However, its founder Masayama did come across this confusion because again, red is often associated as a master color and was used as a master color before Kyokushin was even founded. So to avoid confusion, he went back and he changed the red belt to the orange belt, but you will still often see many schools still using the red belt in that fashion. So when it comes to Kyokushin, it might either be red or it might even be orange, but it's kind of the same rank. It's just, which depends on which school and which color they decided to go with. But originally Kyokushin was red and then they got changed to orange later. So again, that's an example of how it was an entry level belt completely opposite of the master rank. Then we have many of the Korean arts, Taekwondo, Tongsudo, Hapkido, where they kind of change it slightly. You know, where a lot of systems, the red belt is the master color rank or in systems like Kyokushin where it's an early color rank, the red belt in the Korean arts tend to be just below black belt. So it's kind of like in the red belt range. It's in the advanced level student that hasn't quite hit the black belt level yet. And you see this a lot and you see various combinations of that, but very typically the red belt in the Korean arts is right before black belt. So I've often heard it described as the red belt signifies blood, energy, vitality, and that the seeds have been planted and that the student is a flowering plant and they're about to bloom and go on to their real training, their Don training after that. So again, another interesting usage of the color red. So going back to American Kempo, they sometimes will use red in a very similar way. As I mentioned, traditional Ed Parker American Kempo schools will use three levels of brown right before black belt. But sometimes schools will choose to break up those brown belts instead of having three of the same color belt.  So it's really the same ranks as your brown belts, but they're using the color red just to kind of break up the pattern a little bit. But it's very interesting how that's just an alternate way that they use the color red, very similar to the Korean arts in that it leads up, it's right up to your black belt. But honestly, me personally speaking, I prefer that the three brown belts because it doesn't make sense to me to use the color red to lead up to black belt and then go and then still symbolize that the red is a mastery color that you only had tidbits on. So that comes down to personal preference. My original school that I was at, used a red belt, later we switched to three brown belts. I personally like the three brown belts and using the red as a master color, but to each their own, it really doesn't mean, it doesn't really matter in the end, it's just how each art chooses to use it. And sometimes red's not even used at all. Actually in many cases, you won't see red in the system, especially if it's a traditional system. Back in the early days of Shotokan, you know, back in the early days of karate, generally it was white, brown, and black. You know, those were the first real colored ranks. And then eventually color started getting added in. But if you're looking at a traditional Shotokan rank, you won't see red in there. And you won't even see it as a master color because it only goes, if it's a traditional school teaching the way that Gichin from Nekoshi taught, it probably won't go above fifth degree black belt because he himself never awarded the black belt above that. So you'll find a lot of traditional schools won't even use red at all. But in some cases even the red belt will be fully present throughout the whole system. In the case of Bujinkan, students start out at white belt. That is your ungraded rank. And then once they pass that and they get their first grade, if they're male, they will get a green belt. If they're female, they will get a red belt.  So in a case like this, red doesn't even represent a rank, it represents a gender. So once again, it's a whole other use for the color red. Or the red belt can mean nothing at all other than a point scoring system. If you look at a lot of your competitive karate tournaments, especially with the World Karate Federation, competitors will either wear a blue belt or a red belt. And it doesn't matter what the actual rank is, it doesn't represent the rank. It basically represents the color of the flag so they can award points by holding them to a corresponding color flag. So in a case like that, it doesn't mean anything other than point allocation. It's not dissimilar to the judo's white and blue belt uniform arrangement for the same kind of concept. But in a case like this, it doesn't even mean rank at all. It is just for point allocation. And it doesn't even end there. You've got individual schools that will sometimes just take the color red and make their own designation for it. Because why not? You know, it means something different to everybody. So again, as another example, I know a very good Kemple network down here. A lot of them will use red a little bit differently. It is still the master color, but what they do is they swap the black-red relationship. Traditionally speaking, we have our black belts that stay black and we just add a little bits of red on there to show that, well, we can only add a little bits of mastery, but we always have room to learn. Some of them in the network, they swap that that when you get to your fifth down, you get a solid red belt with a black bar. And as you progress the rank, you get additional black bar. So what they're doing in that case is representing they're taking away the red because once you become a higher senior student, sometimes it's very easy to feel like you've mastered it all, that you've learned it all. But it's a reminder that each time you learn more, you start to realize you don't know as much as you thought you did. And it's kind of like a little reminder that that little mastery gets taken away to show that there's, you know, there's always, the more you learn, the more you realize there's more to learn. So that's just another creative way I've seen the red belt used. So why do I feel that the red belt is the most important belt in the martial arts? Well, because it represents both master and a beginner. It could be found nowhere in the system or it could be everywhere in the system. It could be an achievement to earn or it could be nothing more than the point system. So the red belt is the most important belt in the martial arts because it reminds us that the colors mean nothing. When it can be everything and nothing at the same time, that tells us that the colored belt systems in and of themselves don't make you a better martial artist. It doesn't matter what color you're wearing around your waist. In the grand scheme of things, what's important is how you're using the material that you're learning to make yourself a better you.   So I have right here my original red belt I got when I was about 16, 17. Like I said, our first school, we did the, instead of the three brown belt ranks, it was broken up between brown, red, red, black. So this is actually my red belt rank. It has the black stripe through it because I was part of the black belt club because I'm special. Anyway, anyway, I would really love to hear how the color red is used in your system if it's even used at all. So thank you all so much for watching. Please like and subscribe and also join us on Patreon. I did do an exclusive video on Patreon going through my belt collection and showing things off like how belts like this came into play. So be sure to go check that out. Click on the Patreon link right now and sign up and there's all sorts of exclusive videos. Hopefully a lot of good stuff that you guys will enjoy and thank you again and we will see you next time.


Watch your thoughts. They become words. Watch your words. They become actions. Watch your actions. They become habits. Watch your habits. They become character. Watch your character. It becomes your destiny. Thank you, Sue. Roll call, please. Here. Lauren. Here. Carlson. Here. Deckard. Here. Hammond. Here. Hannah. Here. Heidemann. Here. Cot. Here. Vanderweel. Here. And Mercy. Here. 16 President. We have a forum now if we can all join Alderman Carlson and the Pledge of Allegiance. Pledge of Allegiance. Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Darrell. Looking for approval of the minutes of the former prior Common Council meeting. President Rindfors. Thank you, Mayor. I move that we approve the previous minutes. Second. We have a motion and a second to approve the minutes under discussion. There is no discussion. All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. Resignations. Attorney McLean. Your Honor, Mayor received a letter dated May 15th from Brian Bandusky advising that you'd need to resign from the Transit Commission on the basis that he's gotten a new position in Michigan and will be relocating. Thank you, Steve. Motion to accept and file. What would you accept and file the resignation? Second. Motion and a second to accept and file under discussion. There is not all in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. Mayor's appointments. Attorney McLean. Hereby submit the following appointment for your consideration. Todd Wolfe to be considered for appointment to the Schwergen Transit Commission to fill the unexpired term of Brian Bandusky, whose term expires 430-2013 signed by the mayor. That lies over until the next Common Council meeting. That is all four appointments. Do we have public forum this evening? Yes, we do. This evening first on the list would be Joanne Scribner. And Joanne, can I have your home address please? All right. And you will have five minutes. Joanne, can you hold on just a second? I don't think your mic is on. Hold on. It's not plugged in. Try it now. Right in front of this. In the front of this thing I think. Right in front of your name tag. Right below your name tag. Re-election video right here. Hope somebody doesn't file a grievance. Testing. Testing. Testing. There we go. Now I do get my five minutes still, don't I? Yeah, hold on. Two minutes is set up. Yeah. Hold on. Let me reset for you, Joanne. There you go. Wait. Okay, go ahead. Thank you. First of all, I'd like to thank Mayor Ryan and the Schwedgen Common Council for giving me the opportunity to speak here at Public Forum tonight. I would also like to congratulate Eric Rindfleisch on his win again for the fifth district Alderman seat in the election on April 5th. So congratulations, Eric. And are you up for another rematch in two years? I am. Okay, game on. I would also like to congratulate all the new Alderman who won their races on April 5th. And also the outgoing Alderman who did a great job at being the Alderman in their districts. And for this new, and those of you who didn't have a race to have to go through this year for the current Schwedgen Common Council, keep up the good work, good luck, a lot of tough issues to have to work out. Now, as for the smoking room issue, that's what I'm here to talk about tonight, that the Schwedgen taverns are now required to have actually all state taverns, I guess, in Wisconsin. I'm with Emily Deeringer of the Coalition Lakeshore Tobacco Prevention Network of Oshkosh. And in the opinion page, letter to the editor section of the Schwedgen Press Friday, May 27, which you probably, or perhaps read. The title is Clearing the Air over Smoking Rooms. The city of Schwedgen's smoke-free ordinance is one of a handful of municipalities being challenged by the Tavern League because the city's definition of enclosed space and substantial wall are different than the state's. City officials took steps to make the law easier to understand and enforce in June 2010 when the Common Council adopted language suggested by the Department of Commerce. It is important to remember that the most important reason this law went into effect was to protect workers and the public from exposure to secondhand smoke. It is also important to note that nowhere in the state law does it say that smoking rooms are okay. The technicalities come into play when someone tries to define where you can smoke by reading language that explains where you cannot smoke. I totally agree that several of the definitions in the state law are confusing, but the point is that smoking should be done outside. Public health does not want to say you can smoke in here because we do not want smoking in anywhere. Recently, Emily says she accompanied a Schwedgen police officer, city attorney, and two building inspectors on visits to ten different establishments that all had smoking rooms. Only two had enough open-ear space in the walls to meet the city's definition of enclosed space, therefore being able to allow smoking. The other eight failed compliance with the city's ordinance and state law. We gave Tavern owners clear answers about what was allowable and what was not and answered questions that they had. I realize that our answers might not have been what they wanted to hear and that they are frustrated about spending thousands of dollars and countless hours building their smoking rooms. We are just there to help them comply with the law or ordinance, whatever that is going to be. And I realize that Schwedgen's ordinance is stricter than the state ordinance, so I guess that would be where the confusion would lie as far as the Schwedgen Taverns. I really like being able to go into public areas, restaurants, the occasional bar, and have no smoke. It's great, no secondhand smoke. It's much healthier, obviously. We all know that smoking can and probably does cause lung cancer. The Surgeon General has a warning on each and every pack of cigarettes and carton that is sold. So it's obviously a health hazard. Wolves travel in packs. If they're hungry enough and if you're in their neck of the woods, they can kill you and have you for lunch. Cigarettes also travel in packs.  I know it's a choice. I know the owners have a choice. And for any of you kids that are out there in TV land watching this tonight or the next time it's going to be shown, don't start smoking. It is not cool.  It's not cool.  So you tavern owners in Sheboygan do the right thing. It might be, at least you have to abide by state law and I would suggest maybe the Sheboygan ordinance that is stricter. Would you like your additional minute? Yes, please. What would you approve? Might be what you would need to do. Why start? Why continue? Why smoke at all? It's not cool. It doesn't help anyone. As far as the noise that happens outside of the bars, I've been reading about that in the press. I think police have been being called because of the noise complaints. This is probably going to happen inside the bars as well, given the clientele that goes to a lot of the bars. And it still is a free country that we still have the great outdoors to smoke in. My parents never allowed anyone to smoke in their home, never. People would come over for family reunions or whatever, friends.  Smoking just causes yellow teeth, bad smelling hair in clothes, and it's just not a good idea. So tavern owners, please do the right thing. Make sure there's plenty of open space, open air space. Thank you. Thanks. Thank you, Joanne. Next? Next on the list will be Delcy Johnson. Delcy, can I have your home address, please? 1306 North Third Street, Sheboygan. Thank you. And you will have five minutes. Mayor Ryan, City Clerk Richard, City Attorney McLean, Alderman, and Citizens. I would like to talk with you about documents 42 and 43 on tonight's agenda, which deal with purchasing audiovisual equipment for the council chambers. When I spoke at the public forum two weeks ago, I talked about the need for greater transparency in informing the citizenry of the issues before the council. On May 23rd, the finance committee approved the purchase of audiovisual equipment for $18,000, which would allow for a paperless council. Alderman Hammond was quoted in the press story as saying that this technology would present full information for all agenda items on the city website and get everybody, give everybody who is viewing from home the opportunity to see exactly what the council is talking about. I am a strong conservationist, an avid recycler, and a green supporter, but I did not understand the logistics of the proposed system. So I went to City Hall last Tuesday morning and spoke with David Augustine, the new IT manager. He was not able to answer my questions and asked that I submit them in writing, which I did at noon last Tuesday. As of 6 p.m. today, I have not had an answer. Last Tuesday, I also called six Alderman, including the entire finance committee. Four Alderman returned my call, but none of them could answer my questions either. I asked Mr. Augustine how the consent agenda items would be handled. There were 25 items on the consent agenda at the May 16th meeting. My question was, would all 25 documents be displayed on the proposed two screens simultaneously? And if so, how would anyone be able to read and absorb 25 documents in the short time it takes for the council to dispose of those documents? Or if they would be displayed for a longer period of time, how did the council meeting proceed? I asked the same questions about documents 29 to 40 on the May 16th agenda that were referred to various committees. How long would those documents be displayed? Would the television audience be expected to read, absorb the contents of those 12 documents, and note the committee it was referred to in the time it takes Mayor Ryan to say, documents 29 to 40 to be referred? It would be impossible for even a speed reader to accomplish this. Again, if the documents would be displayed for a longer period of time, how would the council meeting proceed? Currently, although the minutes of the council and committee meetings are retained on the city's website, the agendas disappear when a new agenda is printed. Would citizens be able to go to the city clerk's office and get copies of agendas and documents or would they only be available by computer? I also asked Mr. Augustine what the cost savings would be compared to the current system of printing, collating, and stapling the agenda and documents. How long would it take to scan the agenda and all the documents into the computer? Evidently, this is a separate process from creating the documents for the council because in the past, when I had requested a document via computer, it was not available by email because it had not yet been scanned. Mr. Amodio was quoted in the press as saying, the larger cost is the people. What would be the cost and time savings for the staff? If, as indicated in the press story, this system is intended to inform the public, you might want to check out how well the information will be received by those in TV land. I watched a portion of the Government Accountability Board hearing on Wisconsin Eye on cable last week. The camera zoomed in on a chart with about 12 lines of information, which even though it took up the whole screen, was not readable. Granted, I do not have a 52-inch television, but it caused me to wonder what font size documents would have to be in to be read by the public on their TVs. Also, I was told that with the paperless system, the only thing the TV viewers would see during a council meeting would be the two screens with the agenda items. The viewers would hear, but not see, the alderman conducting business as presently. It would be akin to reading the newspaper and listening to the radio at the same time. I encourage the greatest possible transparency in keeping the public informed about issues before the council. And I look forward to learning how the proposed paperless system would work. I hope that the council will not move forward with this idea until it has the answers. I was told that the city received only one bid for the proposed equipment, but the two other companies might be interested in participating. Perhaps it would be best to see what other companies have to offer before signing on with a loan bidder. I understand that the $18,000 would come from the cable TV fund. Excuse me. Would you like your extra minute? A few seconds. I don't know if that is considered free money, but I would still hope that you would know how or if the system would or would not work before spending the $18,000. Thank you. Thank you, Dulcy. Thank you, Dulcy. Next. That's all? Yes. Those two items do lie over until next council meeting that Mrs. Johnson was discussing there. Possibly we can get some clarity before next council meeting. Okay. We are now looking for a tourism update from our folks from the Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce, also known as the City of Sheboygan Tourism. Amy Wilson. I still don't understand the name change, but it's none of my business. And George Tuik. I think it's going well so far. Hey, that's better, George. Jim.  This information actually came out in May during tourism week. It's the research from 2010 or the main points of it anyway. That's released by the Wisconsin State Department of Tourism each year for the prior year. They do hire an independent research company every year to tell us where the standings are for the counties. And so we can move forward. So in 2010, Sheboygan County maintained its position as the ninth ranked tourism destination in the state of Wisconsin, and the fourth ranked tourism destination along the Lake Michigan shoreline. These are exact same positions that they held in 2009 as well. So the next page actually shows you the rankings of the top nine counties in the state. You'll see Sheboygan at number nine in the red. One thing to note here is that in 2009, our numbers were reported as 287 million. But when they did the research for 2010, if they find out variables that they weren't aware of the prior year doing the research, they recalculate that number. So our revised number for 2009 was that our actual tourism dollars were 277 million. And those types of variables, we're not sure exactly what they are. They don't give us that information. But that could be a hotel not reporting on time or not reporting correctly or a different type of audit that's done and corrected. So it could be just about anything that makes them revise those numbers. If you look, every county in the state ends up with the revised number. So for 2010, on the model they used in 2010, our total tourism dollars in Sheboygan County were 294.3 million. Now according to the revised number, that's a 6.11% increase over the prior year. So that's a pretty nice increase for us. The course that number was revised down. Before it was revised down, it still would have been a 2.53% increase for us. And just to make note, all of the counties in yellow do have gaming. So we are ranking higher in the top nine than one of the counties with gaming. And just to give you a glimpse of what's going to happen in the future, Door County in particular is a test county for a brand new model that the state will probably start using. And so we see how much their number was revised down. The new model is actually statistically more accurate and a new company is doing it. And basically the major differences is they look at a lot more variables and they look into them deeper than the research company that's been doing the research in the past. So this is the Lakeshore counties. All of those along the I-43 corridor including Brown County. So on that line, Sheboygan ranks number four. Now this is really important obviously because we're lagging behind Milwaukee and Brown County, which is always going to be the case. Just simply because of the brewers and the packers and the larger city metro areas and larger convention centers that they've got. We're slightly behind Door County. And we'll see how we rank next to Door County with the new model next year for sure because that will be the model that they'll be using. But we basically held our spot overall over the last year. The only two counties that changed spots just slightly were Racine and Kenosha. So Sheboygan County captures approximately 2.39% of total state traveler expenditure market share. So in 2010, the whole state of Wisconsin pulled in about $12.3 million in tourism expenditures. Now if we average that out through all of the counties in the state to be equalized, each county would have to bring in $170.8 million. A market share point is worth in the entire state $123 million. Now along the I-43 corridor, all of those counties, we captured almost $3.5 billion in tourism expenditures or more than 28% of the total tourism expenditures for the entire state. So we're right, of course, as we've always known, right in the middle of the hotspot for the state. If we just took those counties along the I-43 corridor from the southern part of the state through the northern part of the state and averaged it out, each county would have to bring in at least $388 million on average to hit that $3.5 billion mark. So one market share point along the I-43 corridor is worth $34 million, almost $35 million. So in 2009, we look at the revised number the state gives us, which is $277.3 million in tourism expenditures, $210 million. For that year, we did over $294 million. So the difference is almost a $17 million increase or 6.11% change. Now the Sheboygan waterfront brings in roughly 7% of total county traveler expenditures during peak season. The estimates for one seasonal duration in general are Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, unless there was a longer shoulder season that was considered to come to the number that helped us arrive at the $8.7 million. And what that means, of course, is the boats are dropped in the water a little bit earlier. If we get a nice fall, they stay in a little longer. So we try to capture that as well. So we know that in about that 12-13 week peak season, our waterfront is worth about $8.7 million in economic impact for tourism. So these are the traveler expenditures by a quarter for the county. No big surprises here. And these are not, they don't go by a calendar year. The first quarter of a tourism season is December through February. We bring in over $36 million in tourism expenditures during that time, or about 12% of our year. March through May is almost $58 million, or about 20% of our year. June through August, our peak season, we bring in more than $127 million, or about 43% of our year. And September through November, it's a little over $73 million, or about one quarter of our year. Now, right now, we don't believe yet that we've tapped the June through August peak. We don't really think that we've captured everything we could during our first year of our marketing campaign. Actually, we're in about the first eight weeks of the first year of a marketing campaign. So we think that we're going to keep, right now, the goal with the budget is to keep pounding on that June through August, because there's still a lot of market share where we sit along the lake shore that we believe we can capture. And you can see the waterfront brings in about $8.7 million, or 7% of our peak season. And I think we went the wrong way. Ah, and now the campaign. And this is where I will let George speak to you about the new campaign. Not used to microphones, so excuse me for a second. Bouncing into the new campaign, you guys probably heard, or at least seen out there, or I hope you've heard. We've launched a how to use the Boygan campaign. Part of what our research has shown us, and actually the state's research as well, is that travelers, and especially those coming to Wisconsin, are really trying to come up here looking for something fun. So we're trying to center in on having people picture themselves doing the different activities and things you can do here in the Sheboygan County area. What you'll see on the screen here are a number of billboards we're presently running from between Chicago up to about Sheboygan. The larger ones, which would be on the right-hand side of the screen, or your left, are all static billboards or your traditional billboards. The smaller ones over here are being used as electronic billboards, so those change out, and those are mainly running through the Milwaukee market coming up. So if you get a chance to drive through, you'll see them rotating with about eight different billboards. Additionally, here are some examples of some of the print advertising we're running. Over on the far side over there, that's an ad that's running in Chicago Magazine. That's one of our more general picture ads that's trying to capture all the different elements of Sheboygan. Here, closer to me, is more targeted. That's running in one of the athletic competition magazines, actually, and actually pushes out more of the outdoor athletic sports and competitions that Sheboygan holds. So throughout, we have some more general advertising that we're doing in print, and also have some really niche targeted ones that are highlighting some of the things that we're very strong in. And you'll again see some of the even more targeted one farther away. That basically is just pushing and fishing. That's in one of the, I believe it's tournament fishing times that's going throughout the state to show people what they can do here as well as fishing. Here, you'll see some of our push for the Upcoming Nations Cup that's going through some of the sailing magazines. Again, hitting those niche target markets, because we get the best response off of them. All of the ads that we're doing, and a lot of the effort we're doing through social media, pushes everyone back to our new website, which launched, what, about two, three months ago? Yeah, as March. This generally is much more robust, carries lots of videos, click-throughs to all the different entities in the area. If you guys haven't had a chance to play around and look, I'd recommend it. All of our marketing efforts are pushing traffic back to here, and that way we can measure the effectiveness of it, because when it add launches in certain areas, you can see the peaks, and say, looking at the sailing pages, or looking at the fishing pages, or those kind of things. So we're watching our response through this, which is one of the better measureables out there. It's also broken up into more designated areas. We play, eat, stay, meet, which are generally what travelers or tourists, leisure travelers, and, you know, corporate travelers, the information they're looking for in visiting a site. So it's much more user-friendly. In addition to that, I'm sure you've seen our publications out that we put out this year. We took the visitors' guide and made it a spring-summer and a fall-winter visitors' guide, and those have been out for a little while now. In March, we launched the Pure Pleasure magazine as well, which highlights our culinary and artistic offering here in the area, and that was delivered through a targeted distribution through the Milwaukee and Chicago markets, trying to get the weekend travelers to come up and enjoy our restaurants, check out our artistic offerings. And finally, we just recently finished up a culinary tour through the State Department of Tourism, who actually assisted in bringing almost 20 writers up to Sheboygan County. They spent some time in Elkhart, Summon, Kohler, and finished up their tours here in Sheboygan, where they saw everything we had from the high-end restaurants to enjoying a brat fry, just about everything Sheboygan had to offer. And Stephanie Klett, the State Department Secretary of Tourism, came up to assist with that. So that basically shows you where we are on that side of the campaign right now. Are there any questions? If I could just make a comment. I've been privy to this information for a while because I work closely with tourism. The numbers that we experienced in 2010 were not due to the efforts of this team here. Their campaign came out here this year, the new website, the new billboard campaign. A lot of 2011 is what Amy and George have been working on. We owe a lot of our thanks in 2010 to Chad Peleshek, who filled in his tourism for the entire city. So I think Chad could be commended. On the other hand, I see much more professionalism in what we're doing here. The publications that are being put out. And no offense, Chad, you're a planning guy. That's not meant to be a dig at Chad. He's a planning guy. He's not a tourism person. Chad's an economic development person. But what I see here in this new campaign is a truly professional campaign done by professional staff that are not working for the city. So I'm looking for some big numbers in 2011, and I believe that you guys will come through with those. Any questions from the council? Alderman Hammond. Thank you. Just a real quick question. Great information. Some pretty neat stuff. But what do you see as one of the biggest weaknesses from our standpoint from tourism? Things that we can do. Actually, we know exactly what that is. And it's our meeting space. And not that we have adequate meeting space for some of the smaller meetings in the state, but really Madison, Milwaukee, and Green Bay, even like Geneva, own that larger meeting space market. So meetings and the ability to have breakouts, we have more hotel rooms than our meeting space actually accommodates. Another thing that we're lacking in here as far as tourism is shopping, correct? Oh, for the leisure traveler, yes. There's different markets, so you always. But definitely the retail end is where we're fairly weak. Competing with counties that are very similar to us in the meeting space situation, we have less shopping. You know, it was Dane County, Milwaukee County, Brown County, or Green Bay. They all have airports that people can fly into. Is that an issue that we don't have a functional airport from a general or public standpoint? Well, it could be if we were looking at more urban regional or national conventions or conferences. But really when you're looking at a resort destination, which is what we are, you're looking at more of those in-state meetings and associations for their retreat strategies and planning sessions. And the airport isn't quite as important then because they're usually drivable. Thank you. Any other questions? Alderman Bourne? No. Not on that subject. Anybody else? Okay, thank you. Alderman Bourne? Thank you, Mayor Ryan. I would like to request on follow-up to Dulcy Johnson's comments. I understand City Clerk Richards mentioned that we may be having a committee of the whole meeting next week to go over some of the redistricting things. And I'm wondering if in order to answer some of her concerns and some I've gotten calls from other people to say is Dulcy on this, if our IT director could give us, I don't know if you want to call it a dog and pony show, but at least go over what the advantages to this paperless system are going to be. And I want to balance that with the expenditure of $18,000. I'm in favor of going paperless. But I'm also sensitive to the things that Dulcy brought up tonight as far as transparency and how the public is going to be able to follow us and how we conduct our meetings. So if our IT director could get something together by next week when we have a committee of the whole meeting, maybe we could schedule a few minutes for him to come in. Seeing that these documents lie over, it would be a good chance for the council to see exactly how this is going to work. And probably that committee of the whole meeting may be on television. It would give the public a chance to at least see how the meetings are going to run also. So I would appreciate it if we could do that next week. Thank you. Thank you Alderman Borne. Alderman Hanna. Can you put that on the committee of the whole agenda? Absolutely. Very good. Thank you. Can somebody flip off that air conditioner in the back please? Can open the window if you're warm back there? Switch. He must be an engineer. You can open the windows if it's warm back there. We've got ours open up here. Okay. Moving on. Mayor's announcements. I will be brief on these this evening. First of all, I would like to thank the Alderman that participated in the neighborhood cleanups and also in the Memorial Day Parade. I know we all have other commitments in our lives, but I think we only had a half a dozen Alderman that showed up for the Memorial Day Parade. I would like to see more participation. Of course we all have other commitments, but there's certain things that we should put on our agendas as leaders of this city. Memorial Day Parade, Fourth of July Parade, Broad Days Parade, certain things and also neighborhood activities that happen in your districts. But I do appreciate those Alderman that did attend and made a good showing for the Common Council. Moving on. This is Bike and Walk to Work Week. Big deal. Do we have a contest going with Manitowoc this year? Yes, we've managed to put them in their place the last couple three years, I believe. They've never stood a chance. I, myself, believe it or not, I'm going to ride my bicycle tomorrow while it's 85 degrees out to work. I can't promise I'll ride it to my meetings elsewhere in the county area, but I will ride it to work. Gene, would you like to speak on this? Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Yes, it is Bike and Walk to Work Week. This morning we were at the commuter station in Fountain Park, and so we had to serve coffee to several bikers and walkers who came as well. We do have that plaque on the wall. Sheboygan County Public Employee Bike and Walk to Work Week Challenge. So between the city, the county and the school district, we've been going for the last three years. So we're looking for four years in a row, everybody. So put your walking shoes on and get your bike out. And once or twice, if you can bike to a meeting or bike to work, it would greatly help. So yeah, like I said, we're looking to hang on to that challenge, that trophy on the wall. Thank you, Gene. Thank you. Elsewhere, there will be a second meeting of the Erie Hill neighborhood to get the neighborhood association off the ground. That meeting will be, if I can find it on this Saturday, June 11th. And that will take place at Restoring the Fallen Church at 1431 St. Clair, 14th and St. Clair. Time is from 12.30 to 1.30 p.m., especially for those Alderman involved in the Erie Hill neighborhood or adjoining districts. It would be a good idea to attend. And also for residents of the Erie Hill neighborhood that we get this neighborhood association off the ground, the Gateway Neighborhood Association is running strong. So it's very important that we participate in these and get some good solid neighborhood leadership going. Okay, now the city is completing a $3.5 million project at the wastewater treatment plant to renovate the biosolids handling and treatment. Part of the project is an additional generator to convert biogas to electricity, also known as the methane turbines. Sheboyin has been a leader in utilizing this renewable resource. We have to thank a couple of groups here. Funding for this project is aided by a grant from Focus on Energy. And I would ask if we can have Mr. Joe Cantwell and Dale Dore our plant superintendent for our wastewater treatment plant come up and say a few words. We can probably pull that podium out a little. That's right, I can use this. Fine, I'll check. Okay. Focus on Energy would like to congratulate the Sheboyin Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility in receiving the grant a little bit over $205,000 towards the utilization of the biogas at the wastewater facility in generating power and heat for the renewable energy program. Sheboyin should take pride in the work that the wastewater facility has completed over the past couple of years of taking initiative of using the program for some of the energy efficiency that they have done at the facility. Lord, it's energy consumption. I think Dale has indicated in an area of 15%. And then initiate other projects such as the use of renewable energy to generate sufficient electricity actually to take the plant off the grid if you wish to say it can self-sustain itself and has done that periodically and in the near future hopefully longer than that. This goal of becoming energy self-sufficient is being talked about by many national wastewater organizations and by other wastewater facilities. However, Sheboyin has gone farther than that. They are actually doing it and quite frankly is nationally recognized for its effort in becoming energy efficient and generating enough power on itself from the biogas. There are a few wastewater treatment facilities internationally that can do it, but very few even nationally or in the United States. So it is quite an effort that has gone on. So again, Sheboyin should be proud of the energy efficiency and renewable energy projects developed and implemented and now being operated at the treatment facility. And again, it is a leader both nationally and internationally in that area. And please take recognition of that. Thank you, Mr. Cantwell. Dale, would you like to say a couple words? I hear a name. He was supposed to put my name on that check. Everything that we've accomplished at the Waste Auto Treatment Plan is because the city has allowed me to guide the ship down there and the projects we've done to reduce our energy. As Joe said, we reduced our energy consumption by 17.5 percent. That's a million kilowatts a year. We... I didn't prepare a speech, so I don't know what... That's okay. I never do. But everything we've done down there is to become more self-efficient. And as Joe said, from what I'm aware of, there's one treatment plant in Europe that produces 100 percent of its energy on site. And as a secondary treatment facility, we have one similar drawer, and there's not any in the United States at this point. About a month ago, over the weekend, we were producing 115 percent of our electrical energy on site, which means the meter was turning backwards. And because of that, the rate payers will see lower rates in the years to come. Part of this grant here helped pay for that project. The cogeneration portion of the project was about a million and a half dollars. And I'd thank Focus on Energy for coming through, and it's a statewide program. We've actually probably received about 400,000 from Focus on Energy over the years on the different projects we've done. So thank you. Thank you, Dale. Congratulations. Okay, another key part of the... of this project is a low-interest loan that we receive from Alliant Energy, and we have Laura Gumm, our local Alliant Representative, that would like to come up and say a few words about that. Jack's floor. We got the big one. I wasn't told I was going to have to speak, so I'm going to make this short and sweet. I'm a key account manager with Alliant Energy, and I've been working with Dale on projects. I've got the wastewater treatment plant. For about six years, Dale is really a trendsetter. He's done a lot of great things out there. He can be very proud of him. He's not afraid to step out of his comfort zone and try some new things. He's saving a lot of energy. Who knew you could take methane? You know, it's stinky, but it's great because it's making electricity. We're proud to give this shared savings loan to the city of Sheboygan. The city's been a great partner for Alliant Energy. We've done quite a few projects with the city. This comes at a 2% administrative fee, which is very reasonable. It's part of our conservation fund. It's still available. If there's any other projects the city would like to do to save energy, please let me know. Thank you very much. Congratulations again, Dale, as far as leaders of the city go. Dale, I think, is one of the brightest people that the city has ever had, so thank you. Okay, that will be all for the mayor's announcements. We do have a couple of hearings. We have two hearings. We will run them concurrently. I believe we can correct. Yes. Number one, hearing to amend the text of the city of Sheboygan official zoning ordinance, so as to permit junkyard or salvage yard as a conditional use within the UI industrial district. And two, to amend the text of the city of Sheboygan official zoning ordinance section 15.205, regulations applicable to all land uses, so as to add 12 large-scale buildings. Is there anybody that would like to be heard at these hearings? Again, is there anybody wishing to be heard? And for the third time, is there anybody that wishes to be heard? President Rindflash. Thank you, Mayor. I move that we close the hearings. We have a motion and a second to close the hearings under discussion. If there is none, all in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. Hearing is closed. Consent agenda 5-1 through 5-22. President Rindflash. Thank you, Mayor. I move that we accept and file all report of officers, accept and adopt all report of committees, and pass all resolutions. I believe there's one. From documents 5-1 to 5-22. We have a motion and a second under discussion on the consent agenda. There is no discussion. Roll call please. Boran. Aye. Carlson. Aye. Dekker. Aye. Hammond. Aye. Hanna. Aye. Heidemann. Aye. Cough. Aye. Kittleson. Aye. Maddachuk. Aye. Rindflash. No applications and petitions. 5-23 and 5-24 to be referred. Reports of officers 2. 5-25 by the city plan commission annexing territory to the city of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Shukert Farms LLC. And general ordinance number 9-11-12 by Alderperson's Cawthon Kittleson annexing territory to the city of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. City Plan Commission. Alderman Sampson. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I move that the RO be accepted and placed on file. Any ordinance? Any ordinance be... I move that the ordinance also be put upon its passage. Very good. Alderman Sampson. Do we have a second? Second. We have a motion and a second under discussion. There is no discussion. Roll call please. Carlson. Aye. Dekker. Aye. Hammond. Aye. Heidemann. Aye. Coth. Aye. Kittleson. Aye. Manachuk. Aye. Rindfleisch. Aye. Racler. Aye. Sampson. Aye. Van Akron. Aye. Vanderweel. Aye. Bursi. Aye. Belt. Aye. And Boren. Aye. 16 ayes. Motion carries. Reports of officers 2.5-26 through 5.39 540 through 543 will lie over. 540 will lie over also with those. 540 through 543. 544 through 546 to be referred. Report of committee 6. 547 by law and licensing recommending denying beverage operators license number 7081. Based upon his failure to include all relevant convictions on his application and his record of violations and his failure to cooperate with the committee. Alderman Hanna. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Is Mr. Joseph Mertens here? Is Mr. Mertens here? Is Mr. Mertens here? Mr. Mertens was requested by our committee through certified letter to show up. He did not. So I would move that the RC be accepted and adopted denying his license. Second. We have a motion and a second to accept and adopt. Thank you, Alderman Hanna, under discussion. If there is none, roll call please. Decker. Aye. Hammond. Aye. Hanna. Aye. Heidemann. Aye. Kott. Aye. Kittelsen. Aye. Madacheck. Aye. Rindfleisch. Aye. Rasler. Aye. Kittelsen. Aye. 16 ayes. Motion carries. Report of committee 8. 548 by finance executing a grant agreement with the Department of Natural Resources in the city of Sheboygan for the purpose of developing a conservation plan for 177 acres on the Shukrit property. Alderman Hammond. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I move that the reporter committee be accepted and adopted and the resolution be put upon its passage. Second. We have a motion and a second to accept and adopt and put the resolution upon its passage under discussion. There is no discussion. Roll call please. Hanna. Aye. Heidemann. Aye. Kott. Aye. Kittelsen. Aye. Madacheck. Aye. Rindfleisch. Aye. Rasler. Aye. Sampson. Aye. Van Akron. Aye. Van Der Wiel. Aye. Versi. All areas. Matters laid over 11. 427, RO number 301112 by the city plan commission relative to amending the text of the city of Sheboygan. official zoning ordinance. So as to permit junkyard or salvageyard is a conditional use within the UI urban industrial district. Alderman Samson. I'm sorry. 427. There it is. RO number 301112 in general ordinance number 1112 then I move that the RO be accepted in place on file and that the ordinance be put upon its passage second We have a motion in a second to accept in place on file and put the ordinance upon its passage under discussion President Rift-Leich Thank you, your honor The question that I had was regarding this is why the change now is there a property in question That we're not seeing a particular address or is this to clarify something that's already in existence This information that the cause I've received is regarding that very good one in their backyard, so Alderman Hannah like to answer that Yeah, this was for refers to an existing property and This ordinance really protects the investment they have in that property and allows them to add additional jobs to the city Sheboygan it's all positive and they've been a great citizen Answer your question Is there any further discussion? There is no further discussion rule call, please Heidemann I cut I kiddleson I Maddachuk I Rindflash I Racelor I Samson I Van Akron I van der wheel I Percy I For I'm sorry belt. Hi, Warren. Hi Carlson. Hi Decker. Hi Hammond. Hi, and Hannah. Hi 16 Motion carries 428 arrow number 31 11 12 by city plan commission relative to amending the text of the city of Sheboygan official zoning ordinance in section 15.205 regulations applicable to all land uses so as to add 12 large-scale buildings and general ordinance number 2 11 12 by alderman Samson Relative to amending the text of the city of Sheboygan official zoning ordinance in section 15.205 regulations applicable to all land uses so I had to as to add 12 large-scale buildings alderman Samson Thank you, mr. Mayor I again move that the RO be accepted in place on file and that the ordinance be put upon this passage Second we have a motion in a second under discussion This of course applies to the same property There is no discussion roll call, please Kindleson I matter check Racelor I Samson Hi, and Akron. Hi Van der wheel. Hi, Percy. Hi belt. Hi, Warren. Hi, Carlson. Hi Decker Hammond, hi, Hannah. Hi, and Hyde man. Hi 16 eyes Motion carries 447 resolution number 18 11 12 by alderman Hammond alder persons Hammond Rindflash Boron Maddichek and van Akron authorizing a transfer of appropriations in the 2011 budget Establish revenue and appropriation for donations to the police department for community policing Donations for canine services donation to the fire department for thermal imaging camera alderman Hammond Thank You mr. Mayor I move that the resolution be put upon its passage second We have a motion in a second to put the resolution upon its passage under discussion There is no discussion roll call, please Manichek Samson I Belt I boron. Hi Carlson. Hi Decker. Hi Hammond. Hi, Hannah. Hi Vitamin I and cut I 16 eyes motion carries other matters authorized by law 549 in RC by Marina and Harbor Committee recommending filing documents submitting the Harbor Center Marina balance sheet from operations dated March 31 2011 as submitted by skipper Marine Marina and Harbor Alderman Alderman Alderman van Akron. Thank you, mr. Mayor. I Move that the RC be accepted We have a motion to accept and adopt in a second under discussion But there is no discussion Roll call, please There's no discussion all in favor say aye. Aye opposed motion motion carries 550 an arrow by the city clerk submitting a claim from AT&T for alleged damages to their buried telephone cable Well, the city was excavating for a water service will be can will be referred to risk management and 551 an arrow by the city clerk granting various licenses law and licensing Alderman Hannah. Thank you, mr. Mayor. I moved that the RO be accepted Motion in a second to accept in place on file Under discussion all in favor say aye opposed Motion carries Other matters authorized by law attorney McLean Thank you, your honor 5-52 is an arrow by the city clerk submitting communication The state of Wisconsin Department of Corrections submitting a request for a waiver of the sex offender residency restriction on behalf of Anthony Mosta They're requesting to move him to the TLP at 931 a Michigan Avenue that will be referred to public protection and safety 553 is a resolution authorizing execution of the buyout provision and the renewable Electrical generation agreement with Wisconsin power and light company will be referred to finance 554 is an arrow by the city clerk submitting the tentative map for Redistricting for the city of Sheboygan That will be referred to committee of the hole in Alderman. You all received your maps this evening 5-55 is an arrow by the city clerk submitting various license applications for the period ending June 30 2012 and June 30 2013 Will be referred to law and licensing 5-56 is an arrow by the city clerk submitting various license applications for the period ending June 30 2012 and June 30 2013 also the law and licensing 557 is an ordinance creating subsection 2-1 12 a Four of the missful code relating to times of council meetings So as to set the time for the July 5 2011 council meeting at 5 30 p.m That lies over 558 is an arrow by the city clerk submitting a communication from Sylvia Saldana About trouble she is having with a certain bus driver will be referred to transit is all for other matters We have a motion to adjourn in a second all in favor say aye opposed motion carries. Thank you


Good morning, everyone. Buenos dias. Bienvenidos. I'm Steve Johnson, Director of the America's Program and it's my pleasure to welcome you here to CSIS and today's conference entitled Columbia 2020. We truly have an all-star cast with us today and experts and members of the Colombian government and thinkers from the United States as well. Moreover, we have you, our distinguished guests, many of whom are longtime Colombia and Latin America hands. As such, between and after panels, I want to encourage you to talk directly with your counterparts, with our speakers and each other, exchange business cards and share ideas. I want to thank the U.S.-Columbian Business Partnership and Chevron Oil for their sponsorship and efforts to make this dialogue happen. I also want to congratulate our senior associate, Phil McClain, for putting this conference together as well as Patricia Cortes, our counterpart at the Colombian Embassy who has worked very hard to make this happen. So now it's time to turn the ringers on our cell phones to silent or stun mode and if you have any questions for the Q&A sessions, please raise your hand and one of our interns will hand a microphone to you so your questions can be heard. But also, I want to remind you to be sure and state your name and organizational affiliation along with your questions so that we can get to know you better. Now the reason that we're having this conference here today is because it's time to look at the future. Sure, we'll review some of the progress that Colombia has made over the last 10 years, but today it is truly a different country, one that is assuming leadership roles in regional and international arenas and one that is developing its own industries and sustaining more native efforts to consolidate peace and development. One that is on the cusp of a free trade relationship with our own country as well as reaching out to many others across the world. And over the course of the decade that we are in, it may well become even more unrecognizable from the failing state that many thought it was in the 1990s to being a leading market power in the Americas. Now I could go on telling you things like this, but it would be better for you to get it straight from the sort. President Santos is representative here in Washington, Ambassador Gabriel Silva. You can read his biography and the handouts that we gave you as you came in, but suffice it to say he has a broad background in commerce, journalism, and government, having previously served as Minister of Defense under President Alvaro Uribe. And he also got his master's degree in economics and international relations, I might say, at Johns Hopkins University. So without further delay, I would like to call on Ambassador Silva to frame our panels on consolidating peace, outlook for the economy, and U.S.-Columbia relations looking forward, followed by about 10 minutes of questions and answers. Ambassador Silva. Good morning. I want to express our special gratitude to Steve Johnson, Director of the Americas program, and to Phil McLean, an all-time friend, senior associate, as well as to all the team here at CSIS for putting together this conference, Colombia 2020. In addition, our gratitude to the U.S.-Columbian business partnership and to Chevron Oil because of their commitment to discuss the future of Colombia and their support for this unique event. And to all of you for having an interest in discussing the future of my country, a very special gratitude to our very distinguished guests and panelists. They are going to share their wisdom and their views very generously, and we owe them a lot because of that. I have to say that sometimes the ongoing realities and challenges usually don't allow the luxury of reflecting upon the future, and that makes this gathering quite special. Usually we are so overburdened by the need to respond to the everyday issues that we forget that is very important to think and to work based on what could be the future of our country. If we need to summarize how we see Colombia in a decade, how I see Colombia in 10 years, I will say Colombia will be even more different than today, very different and different in a very positive way. Certainly very different from the Colombia we had a decade ago. The transformation of our country has been astonishing. The changes have been so dramatic that I do not hesitate to say that we have today a new Colombia, a new Colombia in all the aspects that are going to be discussed today. And I can only compare this new Colombia to what happened with Eastern Europe when the Berlin Wall fell. It's Colombia that everyone is discovering, a Colombia that was a secret for many. We were hiding from the rest of the world by a wall of violence and terrorism. That wall is there no more. We have our own Berlin Wall moment, but it took a decade to get there. Because this didn't happen overnight. We have to acknowledge that this process is a long-term process. 20 years ago, Colombia adopted a new constitution to impressing Gaviria and adopted a strategy of deepening market-oriented economic reforms. 20 years ago, and probably Phil McLean remembers this well, our country started a long march to recover its freedom from organized crime, terrorism and drug trafficking. If you want to explain the new Colombia, a lot has to be traced to these fundamental structural changes that provided the economic and institutional foundations that allowed the dramatic change we have seen in the last 10 years. But a catalytic trigger of change was clearly Colombia's people decision to confront terrorism, organized crime, paramilitary groups and violence. Under the leadership of President Albert Uribe, our country fought back. As former Minister of Defense, I can attest to the courage of the Colombian people and of our armed forces with their sacrifices. And because of their commitment, passion and patriotism, we were able to be where we are. What happened in the last decade is not short of a second independence. We achieve our second independence, getting rid of many of the expressions of violence that had plagued the country for decades. It's still a work in progress, but we are headed towards a final resolution of that issue. Let me follow the agenda that was set for today and try to provide some ideas for the discussions that are going to take place. You need to put in context the discussion of the 2020 goal for Colombia. That context, let me say, needs to refer a little bit to the past. Because without knowing where we come from, it would be very difficult to see where we are headed. And I will say that in terms of violence and terrorism in Colombia and the presence of organized crime, Colombia has improved dramatically. And the numbers show that between 2002 and 2010, the homicide rate fell by 46%. Today, we have a homicide rate that is similar to many in some of the key cities around the world, and I mean cities in even the developed countries. We had almost a 92% reduction in kidnappings. In terms of terrorist acts, we got a 71% reduction. And I could go on and on quoting different numbers, but the most important evidence of that change is the hope that Colombians have on their own future. With violence, there is no hope. With violence, there is only a pessimism. Now, the Colombians are committed to their country, are committed to their future. But not only the Colombians, many multinational companies, many investors, many people around the world are betting on the future of Colombia. Clearly, Colombia is very different from the past and is creating tremendous opportunity. Of course, I have the duty not only to talk about the positive things, but also about the challenges, because that's going to be one of the key discussions during the day. If you ask me what is the challenge or the most relevant challenge I see for the security front, I will say that I am particularly concerned with the illusion of victory. The illusion of victory means that we get deceived into believing that we have already achieved the end of the internal struggle or the end of the presence of drug trafficking and organized crime. They have been minimized, they have been marginalized, but we need to get to the end. We need to get to the goal line that will require certainly a strong commitment by the U.S. and that the U.S. doesn't declare victory and run. We need to have for many years to come that special relationship that was created initially by President Pastrana and President Clinton when they launched Plan Colombia and that supported our efforts to recover our country for Colombians. We need to continue with that approach and it's a very important approach not only for Colombia, of course for the U.S. too, but for the region. I want to highlight the fact that Colombia is playing an increasingly important role in guaranteeing that our experience is shared by other countries that are suffering and experiencing similar challenges. Colombia currently has aid and support and cooperation arrangements with more than 12 countries in the region and growing. The role for Colombia is critical not only to consolidate the achievements in Colombia, but also to help our region and the Americas move forward in defeating terrorism and defeating organized crime. In terms of the economy, I will say that since the market reforms of the early 90s and the emphasis on free trade, Colombia entered a virtuous cycle that clearly was exponentially enhanced by the outcomes on the security front. This virtuous cycle has changed Colombia dramatically in economic terms. I am sure that many of you have read the numbers and seen the figures and seen the figures, but I want to go through some of them because they illustrate strongly how our country has changed. In 2000, our country had a GDP close to 94 billion. A decade later, we have a GDP closer to 290 billion. It is a dramatic jump ahead in terms of growth, economic well-being, and purchasing power. Our growth rate certainly has not been as spectacular as others, particularly in Asia, but it has been very consistent. If you want to highlight the importance of the economic well-being and purchasing power, I would like to highlight the importance of the economic well-being and purchasing power, which is something about Colombia in terms of economic policy. It is very consistent, has kept the course. Probably we are a little boring for many of you or many analysts, but consistency is what really defines Colombian economic policy. We have been able to grow in a consistent way, even during the latest global recession. Most important, the economic income per capita has almost tripled in the last decade, and our trade with the world has also multiplied several times. We had 10 years ago a trade that was close to $24, $23 million, now it is close to $90 billion, a decade later. In historical times, a decade is nothing. Very few countries have achieved this kind of success or outcome. And a very relevant indicator, Colombia used to have 14.5 percent investment rate, 14.5 percent of GDP. Now it is close to 25 percent. Without investment there is no growth, and one of the factors that hampered investment clearly were distortions on the economic side, but most important, distortions on the political side and on the risk side. The best way to summarize what we have achieved is the recognition by the rating agencies that gave Colombia back its investment grade status for its debt. It is a strong signal that has to be acknowledged and reflects where we are headed. When many countries in Europe are losing their investment grade status, Colombia is moving ahead in the right direction. In terms of our economic growth, where are we headed? In 2000, we had a GDP per capita at purchase parity close to $6,000. In 2015, we'll be close to $13,000, and in 2020, we will be close to $15,000. Of course, that's what the numbers and the projections say we have to see. I personally believe it's going to be faster and bigger than the numbers currently discussed by the experts. So Colombia has achieved something that is not usual, and in a decade, Colombia become a relevant country for the global economy, and in particular to the U.S. economy. And that's a very welcomed challenge, a change, because clearly we have a new reality. We have a new country. We have a new Colombia. Colombia has the third largest population in Latin America, 46 million. It's not a small market, and most important is a very diversified market. We have many cities, many regions, and a lot of young people. Colombia is the fourth largest economy in Latin America and growing, probably going to be the third very soon. And for a decade, Colombia has had an average growth over the world's average. This is to illustrate that today Colombia cannot be dismissed in economic terms and also as a very important and relevant market for the U.S. and others. I want to then move ahead into the issue of foreign trade. I don't know why I have the suspicion that it's a topic that probably interests you significantly these days. And rightly so, because we are on the verge of having the FDA between Colombia and the U.S. introduced in Congress and hopefully approved by Congress. But I want to say something that could sound a little bit arrogant, but it's true. Today the FDA between U.S. and Colombia is much more relevant for the U.S. than for Colombia. And I want to explain why. Colombia is probably the most friendly market for the U.S. products and services. Colombia is probably one of the most receptive countries and economies in terms of foreign direct investment. Colombia has a growing market and expanding very fast. I will give you some numbers that probably we can put in context what I'm saying. Colombia is the fifth largest market for mining oil and gas machinery in the world for the U.S. Actually, we are the sixth largest market for one of the biggest companies in that area, in that field. Colombia is one of the largest markets for food products from the U.S. Colombia is also the second most important market for U.S. ports in South America and the fifth most important in the world for industrial products. So it's not an irrelevant market, it's not something to be dismissed. And Colombia most important has moved ahead. It has been very painful to wait for five years to get where we are. The FDA was signed five years ago and we invested significant efforts, political and otherwise, to get to have these treaties signed and introduced to Congress and approved. This delay has cost us dearly, in particular to the U.S. in terms of the jobs that have been destroyed. And I'll give you an example. Colombia, excuse me, the U.S. used to have 46 percent of the Colombian ag imports market in 2008 because we moved ahead and we need to move ahead because this delay in the FDA was hurting our own prospects. We move ahead in signing trade agreements with many countries. In 2002, we had two FDAs. Now we have 13 and negotiating five more. And those that have come in in force in the last few years are certainly creating a more friendly market for other countries, not by our own design, but because of the lack of moving forward in the U.S. here in Washington. And the market share for the ag sector in the U.S. was 46 percent in 2008. Now it's 20 percent and diminishing. When I was embossed over 17 years ago, and thank you, Steve, to remind me how old I'm getting, 17 years ago was my first return here. China was 22nd trading partner for Colombia. Now it's the second trading partner and growing. And that's very unfortunate in one sense. Is that the complementarity between the Colombian and the U.S. economy is very significant. We don't compete in anything, or basically in anything. Very few items on our trade and on our economies compete against each other. And so it's the perfect, the perfect match. We don't produce cars or machinery. We don't produce industrial goods that are consumed in the U.S. We produce agriculture, goods, mining and energy, light manufacturers, and most of all, the best coffee in the world. And we are poised for a very close relationship, and clearly it allows for much more. Colombia is structurally a very complementary economy with the U.S. And the U.S. is missing that opportunity. I cannot understand why, really, from an economic perspective. After investing $7 billion in Colombia, of course, the Colombians invested close to $80 billion, but these $7 billion that the U.S. provided were critical for different reasons. After investing that amount of money, now that it's time to return to the U.S. economy. And the U.S. economy is very significant. To reap the benefits, the U.S. is opting out. Fortunately, the Obama administration changed course and decided to move ahead with all the FDA's pending to be approved. We acknowledge and we believe that's the right way to go. We acknowledge this effort, and particularly in difficult times for the U.S. It's a bold move by President Obama that we appreciate, and we trust that with his leadership and his government's leadership, we'll have an FDA before the end of the summer. Going beyond the FDA, and talking more about the 2020 horizon, I will only say that Colombia will have a balanced economy, and that in which, because of the reforms introduced by President Santos in terms of the fiscal stability of the country, and because of his leadership and knowledge of economic policy, I think that it's going to take the country a step ahead. Standing on the shoulders of all the successes of the last decade, Colombia is going to move ahead. It's going to be very different in a decade. It's going to be very prosperous in a decade. But President Santos has not only focused himself on the security and the economic fronts. He has made significant changes and significant progress in key issues that will resolve the still pending items related to violence. His law of land restitution to those peasants displaced by violence, and the law of compensation to victims of violence, are a new paradigm and are the natural follow-up of the successes achieved by the Democratic Security Policy. And Colombia is reconciling itself with its own people. That's a major step forward. To finalize, because I don't want to bore you, and most important, you have wiser people to talk about these things here in the room, also that in the U.S.-Columbia relations, we are also experiencing a deep change. When I was in Basel 17 years ago, I have to admit that 99 percent of my time was devoted to three issues, drugs, drugs, and more drugs. Those were the three issues that we were discussing then. Now, we have a high-level dialogue between the two countries in which we have multiple interests and multiple topics to talk about. Energy, certainly democracy, technology, the environment, and many others. This is very new for us. For all of us who have been involved in this business of foreign relations and bilateral relations, I'm sure that my friend Juan Carlos Esguero, who was my predecessor several years ago, knows, those of us who have been involved in this, we always aspired to achieve this wider agenda. We called it in Spanish, we wanted to desnarcotizar la agenda. We wanted to make drugs one of the issues, but not that issue. We're getting there. Why? Because Colombia is a different country, and Colombia can be a very effective regional partner for the U.S. By 2020, I expect that Colombia and the U.S. move from partnership to a permanent strategic alliance, very similar to the one that the U.S. has with other regions and other countries. Very similar to the one that the U.S. has with Europe or Japan. We certainly aim for that, and I believe it can happen. To conclude, I will say that for all of us who have lived in public service these last 30 years, for all of us who have suffered Colombia and Colombian problems in the last 30 years, for all of us who have worked permanently to try to overcome those challenges and those problems, today is a very important day, and is the day in which hope was, again, the word that conducts our affairs. Colombia is very hopeful, and it's going to be very prosperous. Thank you. I think we've got a couple of minutes for about three questions, and before we get started with the next panel. So this gentleman over here, if we could get a mic up here. Hi. Thanks for the opportunity. Thank you, Mr. Ambassador. My name is Matt Shul. I'm a reporter with Inside U.S. Trade. On the Free Trade Agreement, which you talked about, one of the important steps to having Congress consider the deal is for Colombia to meet a second set of commitments in the labor action plan that President Obama and President Santos agreed on in April. And the day for doing that is June 15th, and I just wanted to ask you whether Colombia has indeed completed everything that it said it would do by June 15th. I know that's Wednesday, so they have two more days, but judging from how Colombia responded before, they did so in advance, and I just wanted to know if Colombia has done that and whether you have transmitted the necessary documentation of that to the U.S. government. And that's basically it. You seem really optimistic on getting the FTA by the end of the summer. I just wanted to ask you why, also on that point. Why are you so optimistic? There's still this problem with trade adjustment assistance, another blockage. So anyway, thank you for your thoughts on this. I have to mention that Colombia's success in the economic front has a lot to do with consistency. And a technocratic consensus that has a lot to do with the economic front has helped Colombia significantly to keep its markets open and to reduce inflation and to have sound macroeconomic policies. The other aspect of that, and this will be my only answer to your first question, is that Colombia always fulfills its commitments. In terms of why I believe the FTA can be approved before the end of the summer, first of all because of President Obama's leadership and also because of his commitment to do so. And I could, of course, enter into discussing the details of how things are going in Congress and so on and so forth, but you probably will be very bored by that. You will be very happy as a reporter for Insight Trade, but the rest of the room will be a little bit bored. But I am convinced that the commitment by the administration, by President Obama, is significant, is real, and we are working hand in hand to get to that goal. Any other questions? If not, let's give another round of applause for Ambassador Silva.