The next RDC business breakfast will be held on Wednesday, 16 March 2005, at 7:30 a.m. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE BREAKFAST WILL BE HELD AT THE COMMON ROOM AT PENSDALE (INTERAC) HOUSING, 4200 MITCHELL (PENSDALE AND MITCHELL), PHILADELPHIA, PA. This is a change of venue for this month only; we are expecting more than 40 attendees. Coyles Cafe will cater the breakfast.

PM me to RSVP no later than Monday, 14 March 2005. We have already received a number of replies, so sign up quickly as the breakfast is first come, first served. If you have already replied, there's no need to respond again. Please note that the breakfast is open to business owners and their employees, civic association leaders and their members and government officials.

We will have an opportunity to network at the breakfast, so please bring plenty of business cards and promotional materials. Also, don't forget to bring your business card for our "fishbowl" - the lucky recipient will win a spring floral arrangement from Carlino's Flowers (valued at $50+).

Our featured speaker is MARK SCHWEIKER, Pennsylvania's 44th governor, and the only governor in the nation to hold the position as a direct result of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.

Confronting a world that had changed drastically after terrorists attacked the United States, Gov. Schweiker worked tirelessly to make the safety and security of Pennsylvania his top priority. As his first official act as governor, Gov. Schweiker signed an Executive Order that established a Security Task Force, charged with creating a comprehensive anti-terrorism strategy. He then called for and signed legislation increasing the State Police complement for the first time in more than a generation. In his one and only budget, Gov. Schweiker invested an historic $200 million in homeland security, helping fund the creation of a second Urban Search and Rescue Team, as well as launch a statewide public radio network and a biosurveillance system.

Gov. Schweiker became the first governor since World War II to lead Pennsylvania through a recession without raising core taxes (sales, personal income and business). Despite facing a $1.3 billion budget shortfall, Gov. Schweiker eliminated the shortfall and held the line on taxes – a feat unparalleled in modern Pennsylvania history.

In an effort to make Pennsylvania more attractive to both employers and employees, Gov. Schweiker focused on worker training and retraining, creating a Rapid Response Team to deliver accelerated assistance to Pennsylvania workers and their families. Under his leadership, Pennsylvania now has one of the leading workforce development systems in the nation.

Gov. Schweiker ushered in an exciting, new era of academic achievement and fiscal stability to Philadelphia's troubled public schools. Working to ensure 215,000 students receive a quality education, Gov. Schweiker put together the largest urban reform plan in American history. As a result, on September 5, 2002, the Philadelphia School District enjoyed its most exciting opening day in more than a generation.

In an effort to preserve Pennsylvania’s world-class healthcare, Gov. Schweiker also became the first governor in more than a generation to make reforming the Commonwealth’s medical malpractice system a high priority. In 2002, he called for and signed into law three different pieces of legislation that will provide long-term stability to the marketplace by establishing strong patient-safety measures; a fair and balanced joint and several liability law; and eliminate the practice of venue shopping.

Gov. Schweiker led one of the most successful mine rescues in national history when he oversaw a 77-hour operation in Quecreek, Somerset County that saved nine coal miners. Following the rescue, Gov. Schweiker implemented a series of safety enhancements to provide better protection for Pennsylvania miners.

Born on January 31, 1953, in Levittown, Bucks County, Schweiker is a graduate of Bishop Egan High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Bloomsburg University in 1975. He holds a master's degree in administration from Rider University. After college he entered the business world and advanced to positions at Merrill Lynch, McGraw Hill and his own management-consulting firm. He was first elected to public office in 1979 as Middletown Township Supervisor, and in 1987 was elected Bucks County Commissioner.

Governor Schweiker was sworn in on October 5, 2001. He was first elected Lieutenant Governor in November 1994 and re-elected in November 1998. As Lieutenant Governor, Schweiker oversaw the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and the PRIME initiative, which identified wasteful government spending that saved taxpayers millions of dollars.

At the conclusion of his term, Gov. Schweiker became President and Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.

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