The Friends of Norway Caucus Meeting
June 2nd, 2004

The Chamber's meeting with Congressman Earl Pomeroy (ND), co-chair of the Friends of Norway Caucus, and staff members from several House of Representatives of the Friends of Norway Caucus was held Wednesday June 2, 2004 from 12:00 - 1:30 P.M., in Room B-354 at the Rayburn Building, US House of Representatives. The meeting was part of our strategy to build network and to learn about the Caucus and the importance of advocacy to expand U.S.-Norwegian business activities. The meeting was co-sponsored by Raytheon.

The members of the Caucus and their staff members represent an important business network, that extends far into the states they represent and into committees they serve on. In many cases these committees are dealing with subjects of great importance for our own business sectors and our security, and the network is considered of great value to further the cooperative effort between U.S and Norway. To learn more about the caucuses in the House of Representatives and the Senate please click here.

Pictures from the meeting

For more pictures please click here.

Agenda
  • Welcome: The Honorable Earl Pomeroy (ND), Co-Chairs, US House of Representatives Friends of Norway Caucus
  • Introductory Remarks: Rune Resaland, Charge de Affairs, Royal Norwegian Embassy, Washington, D.C.
  • The Mid-Atlantic Norwegian-American Chamber of Commerce in Washington D.C. Atle B. Nordvik, President, The Norwegian-American Chamber of Commerce, Mid-Atlantic Chapter Inc.
  • Luncheon
  • Moderator Remarks: Anne Kjersti Shaw, Royal Norwegian Embassy, Washington, D.C.
  • Friends of Norway Caucus and the Importance of Advocacy Guest Speaker: The Honorable Earl Pomeroy (ND), Co-Chairs, US House of Representatives Friends of Norway Caucus
  • Discussion: Q&A
  • Adjournment
Summary of Discussions

The meeting provided useful information about U.S - Norway trade relations, establishment of the new Norwegian trade aid organization "Innovation Norway" and Norway's goal to become the leading innovative nation in the world. Congressman Earl Pomeroy provided insight in US issues related to the war in Iraq, fight against terrorism, environmental protection tied to the Kyoto Protocol and suggested ways for future cooperation with the Chamber with meetings on a yearly basis. Anne Kjersti Shaw from the Royal Norwegian Embassy informed about the existing exchange/visiting program between the Caucus and the Norwegian government and suggested that the Chamber became part of the program to include business related activities. Don Neese from our Defense Technology committee summarized current issues in the US-Norway defense sector and Mark Cark informed about Raytheon's cooperation with Norway and the Norwegian defense industry.

The optimistic meeting marked an excellent start for further cooperation between the Caucus and the Chamber.

Participants:

 From Friends of Norway Caucus:

  • Earl Pomeroy, Congressman and co-chair of the Friends of Norway Caucus

 From Friends of Norway Caucus staff members:

  • Carissa Page, Legislative Assistant, Congressman Earl Pomeroy's office
  • Aaron Adkins, Scheduler, Congressman Earl Pomeroy's office
  • Kelly Ann Shaw, Congressman George R. Nethercutt's office
  • Kerry B. McKenny, Legislative Director, Congressman Donald Payne's office
  • Bonnie Gottwald, Congressman Martin Sabo's office
  • David Kush, Legislative Assistant, Congressman Christopher H. Smith's office
  • Bob Van Wicklin, Congressman Amo Houghton's office

 From The Royal Norwegian Embassy:

  • Rune Resaland, Charge de Affairs
  • Merethe Nergaard, Minister-Counselor, Economic Section
  • Anne Kjersti Shaw, 1st Secretary - Political Section
  • Even Stormoen, 1st Secretary - Economic Section

 From the Norwegian-American Chamber of Commerce, Mid-Atlantic Chapter Inc.:

  • Solveig Spielmann, President, IBGC
  • Inger Elisabeth Prebensen, Ass. Director, IMF
  • Torild Harstad, Guest
  • Cecilie Prebensen, Guest
  • Atle B. Nordvik, President, NACC MA
  • Bill Mansfield, Senior Advisor, UN Environment Program
  • Bob Elwell, Senior Vice-President, IBGC
  • Lasse Syversen, Secretary, NACC MA
  • Jarle Harstad, Senior Advicer, GEF
  • Erik W. Larsen, Rolls-Royce Naval Marine Inc.
  • Fridtjov Markussen, Financial Advisor, Legg Mason
  • Steve Williams, Director, Europe-Eurasia, Lockheed Martin
  • Don Neese, Director, Lockheed Martin
  • Chris Lombardi, Raytheon
  • Mark Clark, Director International Business Development, Raytheon
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