Archive for the ‘October 2011’ Category

October 27, 2011: Ottawa

Friday, October 28th, 2011

I had a special experience yesterday. I ran a leg in Rick Hansen’s relay to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of his Man in Motion tour around the world.

I first met Rick at the Vancouver Olympics when he was the “mayor” of the Olympic Village. I went back to the Paralympics a few weeks later and had a longer chance to visit with him and his staff. Since then, we have kept up our friendship and I have helped him to work with the White House and with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. I was pleased to learn that in June, his Foundation awarded the Rick Hansen Difference Maker Award to Judith Heumann, the State Department’s Special Advisor for International Disability Rights, who has close ties with various organizations here in Canada.

Ambassador Jacobson takes running in Rick Hansen's relay commemorating the 25th Anniversary of Hansen's Man in Motion tour.

Ambassador Jacobson takes part in the cross-Canada relay commemorating the 25th Anniversary of Rick Hansen's Man in Motion tour.

Rick is an extraordinary Canadian. He has raised tens of millions of dollars for Spinal Injury Research and for quality of life initiatives for people with disabilities. I remember distinctly coming back from the Paralympics and telling my family that after talking to Rick and seeing what he has accomplished, I would never again say there was anything I couldn’t do.

While being one of the 7000 people to take part in the cross-Canada relay was exciting, the most memorable part was when I met with my group of 17 Ottawa relay participants to get prepared for the event. At one point, each of us had to say something about what we do to make our communities better. By the time everyone finished there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Several people – who had suffered spinal cord injuries themselves – talked about how Rick had personally redirected their lives from feeling of self pity to realizing their potential for the rest of their days. Others talked about how they had worked with people who were disabled, and how much they received in satisfaction in the process.

Rick and his team really do bring out the best in people. As I told him, he is an inspiration to the rest of us. Not just when he’s in town. But every day.

DJ

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Posted in October 2011 |

October 21, 2011: Seattle, Washington

Friday, October 21st, 2011

Yesterday marked the end of a long and painful chapter for the people of Libya. It is now up to them to determine their own destiny in a new and democratic Libya.

Faced with the prospect of mass atrocities, the United States and its allies – including Canada – stopped Gaddafi’s forces in their tracks. Meanwhile the Libyan people fought for their own future.

The Canadian people should be proud of the Canadian forces who played an important role in the successful conclusion of hostilities. The NATO of effort was led by Canadian Lt. General Bouchard who commanded with distinction.

There should be no illusions, however, about the way forward. Forty-two years of tyranny have left Libya in a shambles. There will be difficult days ahead. But the United States and the international community are committed to the Libyan people who won this revolution.

The events in Libya prove once again that the march of history is one away from tyranny and toward freedom and democracy. What we have seen across the Middle East is that the vast majority of people in that region want the same things the rest of us do. Peace, freedom, a better life for ourselves and our families.

DJ

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Posted in October 2011 |

October 12, 2011: Ottawa

Friday, October 21st, 2011

Today I had a lunch that was a real thrill for the lawyer in me.

I often joke that I was a lawyer for 30 years, but that I have recovered. Well … the fact is I haven’t recovered. And days like this remind me that I don’t want to recover.

I had lunch with all of the Justices of the Canadian Supreme Court in their dining room. Just saying it kind of sends chills down my spine. As a student and then as a lawyer, I learned to revere the Supreme Court in my country. That sentiment carries over to Canada’s Supreme Court.

I am reminded of the famous line from Justice Robert Jackson of the U.S. Supreme Court: “We are not final because we are infallible; we are infallible because we are final.” They were certainly infallible hosts, and couldn’t have been nicer to me.

After lunch I had another thrill. I got a chance to meet with all of the Supreme Court Clerks. They truly are the very best and the very brightest young people Canada has to offer. And they did not disappoint.

I talked a little about what I do as an Ambassador, the state of the US-Canada relationship, and – perhaps most relevantly – how being a lawyer prepared me for my job as a diplomat.

It was quite an afternoon.

DJ

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Posted in October 2011 |

October 16, 2011: Ottawa

Wednesday, October 19th, 2011

This past weekend we had friends visit from Toronto. On Saturday, we went to the Museum of Civilization and then to the Champlain Lookout in Gatineau Park. The fall colors were spectacular. I was there this same time of year a couple of days after I arrived, two years ago. Then we had a wonderful dinner with our guests and several of the great friends we have in common.

This morning we did something extraordinarily memorable. We went to my favorite museum in Canada – and one of my favorites in the world – the War Museum. We have been there many times. But this time, we were treated to a tour of the vaults where all of the treasures that are not on display are stored.

Some years ago I learned that most great museums have room to display only a tiny fraction of their collection, 3-5%. So many treasures are kept in vaults and rotated in over time. 

We were shown some extraordinary stuff. The chair of General Wolfe; thousands of uniforms from the War of 1812 through Afghanistan;  every variety of sword, lance, and knife; guns from primitive to modern – including a Gold Plated pistol given to Mackenzie King; “Trench art” – things made in the trenches during WWI out of whatever materials were available – usually large brass shell casings which were inscribed and carved into all manner of things.

The room that was the most special to Julie and me was the room where they store all of the paintings. Many great Canadian artists – the Group of Seven, Coleville, and others – spent time painting battle scenes during the wars. Some of it is truly breathtaking.

I’m waiting for the Group of Seven War Art Exhibit.

DJ

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Posted in October 2011 |

October 17, 2011: Ottawa, MLK Memorial Dedication

Tuesday, October 18th, 2011

On Sunday, President Obama joined the First Lady, Vice President Biden, Dr. Jill Biden and Secretary Salazar of the Interior at a dedication ceremony for the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Tens of thousands came to the National mall in Washington for the dedication ceremony, which came nearly half a century after Martin Luther King, Jr. led the historic March on Washington for equality. 

In his dedication remarks, the President addressed some of the issues that challenge our countries today, saying that if Dr. King were alive today, “I believe he would remind us that the unemployed worker can rightly challenge the excesses of Wall Street without demonizing all who work there; that the businessman can enter tough negotiations with his company’s union without vilifying the right to collectively bargain.” 

“He would want us to know we can argue fiercely about the proper size and role of government without questioning each other’s love for this country — with the knowledge that in this democracy, government is no distant object but is rather an expression of our common commitments to one another.”

“He would call on us to assume the best in each other rather than the worst, and challenge one another in ways that ultimately heal rather than wound.”

Looking towards the future, President Obama spoke to the inspiration Dr. King instills in us to this day to continue his legacy, saying,

“As tough as times may be, I know we will overcome. I know there are better days ahead. I know this because of the man towering over us. I know this because all he and his generation endured — we are here today in a country that dedicated a monument to that legacy.”  

I’m looking forward to visiting the monument on my next trip to Washington.

DJ

President Obama and family tour the MLK monument

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Posted in October 2011 |

October 5, 2011: Toronto

Saturday, October 8th, 2011

Yesterday I gave the opening remarks at GreenBuild 2011. This is the convention of people and companies in the Green Building Economy. It attracts about 25,000 participants from around the world. This is the first time in its 10 year history that it has been held outside the United States.

The clean energy economy has the potential to create 2.5 million good jobs as well as significant economic and environmental opportunity in North America in the 21st century. And President Obama has committed the Federal Government to lead by example. His proposals include:

  • New tax incentives for building efficiency.
  • More financing opportunities for commercial retrofits.
  • “The Race to Green” for state and municipal governments.  That streamlines regulation and attracts private investment for retrofit projects.
  • The Better Buildings Challenge.
  • Training for the next generation of commercial building technology workers.

As I walked the floor I was encouraged by what I saw. The rapidly changing technological advances and ingenuity are the kinds of competitive advantage that will allow us to make many of these products here in North America.

This morning I led a round table discussion with people from the industry about how the United States and Canada might coordinate our regulations and building codes in this are to further encourage innovation.

DJ

Posted in October 2011 |