March 31 - April 4, 2008 - Senator Tom Daschle is in Germany this week to deliver the President Von Weizsäcker Distinguished Visitor Lecture to the American Academy in Berlin. Senator Daschle’s keynote speech, "Shared Solutions to Our Global Energy Crisis", frames a week of meetings with high-ranking government officials and leading business executives in the renewable energy sector. "It is an honor to be associated with the legacy of President Von Weizsäcker," Daschle said. "I look forward to learning more about the innovative technologies and progressive policies that have made Germany such a leader in renewable energy. I am optimistic about finding areas where we can work together. "
Senator Daschle will be joined by Tom Amis and Geir Vollsaeter for plant tours and meetings with representatives from First Solar and E.ON Climate and Renewables, both global leaders in solar and wind energy. In addition, Senator Daschle will meet with executives from BMW, Volkswagen, and many others. David Detjen arranged for a dinner hosted by the American Academy and the Atlantik-Bruecke where Senator Daschle will discuss the political outlook in the United States.
After Germany, Senator Daschle will visit Ukraine on behalf of the National Democratic Institute. He will meet with legislators and other high-ranking government officials to promote continued democratic reform and offer insights from his experience as Senate Majority and Minority Leader for how opposition parties can work together in achieving this goal.
The Senator will conclude his European business in London at a conference about global security in the 21st Century. At the conference, which is hosted by the Institute for Public Policy Research, Senator Daschle will submit a proposal outlining ways in which the UK and the US can prepare a cooperative defense against bioterrorist attacks and naturally occuring infectious epidemics.