SGR Hears Crude Story

Jack Petersen, one of SGR’s Sergeants-at-Arms was on duty greeting Rotarians and others visitors to the 3728th regular weekly meeting of St. George Rotary. Ray Robinson lead the SGR Choir in George M. Cohen’s "You’re A Grand Old Flag." Don Pendleton invited members to follow him in the Pledge of Allegiance and Richard Isom asked for the blessings of heaven on the meeting and the meal. Lee Sheets was in great form leading Horseplay while Allen Hilton collected fines on behalf of the SK8 Park landscaping project.

President Jeff Morby announced the death on Saturday of Sara Miller (Mrs. Bob). Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, February 4 at 3 p.m. at the Grace Episcopal Church (1072 E. 900 South).

There was no update on Don Dunham’s condition, but Kerry Hepworth reported how pleased Don and Jan were by the attention of members of SGR who have visited him in the hospital or have sent cards or flowers.

NEW MEMBER INDUCTION: Steve Davis, Chief Operating Officer at Rainbow Sign was inducted as SGR’s newest member, with his wife Lisa and sponsor Jim Coleman at his side.

Congratulations to Jeannine Holt and Drew Heaps for their recent recognition by the St. George Area Chamber of Commerce.

PROGRAM: Denise McCourt, Industry Relations Director for the American Petroleum Industry shared "the Truth About Oil and Gasoline." Addressing the recent announcement of $45 billion in profits in 2008 by Exxon / Mobil, McCourt indicated the oil company is "about in the middle of the pack!" Exxon profits were approximately 9.5¢ of every dollar while Microsoft lead the corporate world with profits amounting to 27.8¢ out of every dollar. "What will the oil companies do with their profits? They’ll put them back into exploration, production and refining," said McCourt. "This country will never be energy independent because 85% of our natural resources are off limits for drilling and exploration on the east and west coastlines and along the Florida coastline in the Gulf of Mexico."

Most of America’s crude comes from Canada and Mexico before it comes out of the Middle East. Out of every dollar paid by consumers at the pump 72¢ represents the cost of crude oil, 17¢ covers the cost of refining and 11¢ is taxes. To ensure future energy security, government policy choices needed include: (1) an increase in energy production by promoting all sources; (2) energy efficiency as an American core principal; (3) investment in advances technologies and longterm energy initiatives; (4) allow market forces to allocate products and adjust to changing conditions; (5) refrain from implementing new taxes which increase the cost of developing domestic supplies; and, (6) support the need to actively participate in global energy markets.