speeches
Ambassador Timken
Thank You Jazz Concert with the Marlon Jordan Quartet
Berlin
November 7, 2005
State Secretary Diwell,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Hurricane Katrina destroyed the homes and working places of many New Orleans residents, but it could not destroy the spirit of its people. The city of New Orleans is an icon of culture and creativity for America and the world. In America, it is known as the Big Easy, a reference to a low-key, laid-back style of life. A melting pot of people and cultures, it is a city like no other in the world. Just as many nations contributed to shaping the culture of New Orleans over the past 300 years, many nations reached out to help the city in its hour of need.
As a gesture of gratitude for the outpouring of support from the global community in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the U.S. Department of State welcomed the proposal of Jazz at Lincoln Center to send bands that were representative of the great traditions that make up New Orleans jazz overseas to thank some of the countries that offered such generous assistance. This concert tonight is a token of the gratitude of the people of New Orleans and all Americans to Germany – to the government, businesses, schools, churches and the many individuals who contributed in so many different ways to assist the victims. New Orleans and the American people say, thank you.
On behalf of the Embassy, we would like to recognize the extraordinary contribution of the German Interior Ministry’s Technical Assistance Service. Financed by humanitarian aid funds from the German Foreign Ministry, a team of engineers and medical specialists from the Technical Assistance Service, the Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe and the Luxembourg Civil Defense arrived in the U.S. in early September. Deploying a battery of 15 high-capacity pumps, they pumped more than one million cubic meters of floodwater out of New Orleans between the time of their arrival and the end of September. A second team took over at the end of September and continued its work until October 20. The members of these teams worked around the clock, adding a crucial component to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ floodwater removal effort. Some members of those teams are with us tonight. I would like to ask them to stand up. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in giving them a round of applause. Thank you.
We would also like to recognize the students and teachers of the Carl-Bechstein Gymnasium in Erkner who gave a benefit concert for victims of hurricane Katrina.
Our thanks also go to students and teachers of the Clay-Oberschule in Rudow. With their 'Band of Friendship' project, they are raising money to bring several students from the Benjamin Franklin High School in New Orleans, their German American Partnership Program (GAPP) partner school, to Berlin to finish out their school year.
I wish we had time to mention all the individuals and the organizations that worked so hard to help out. To those of you who are here tonight and to the many other people both in Berlin and throughout Germany, please accept our heartfelt thanks.
As the city of New Orleans recovers, our hearts go out to others around the globe affected by natural disasters. The tragic earthquake in South Asia, the mudslides in Guatemala, the drought in West Africa, not to mention the tsunami last December, are yet more reminders of the fragility of human settlements when confronted with the forces of nature.
In the wake of such large-scale disasters, material assistance is critical to alleviate the human suffering that follows. In the long run, however, people also rely heavily on their cultural traditions to rebuild their communities. Restoring the cultural heritage of the Gulf Coast is an essential part of rebirth for these communities. As we band together to offer humanitarian relief to communities affected by natural disasters — whether in the United States, Pakistan, Central America or Africa — it is important to offer help to repair the human spirit.
What a wonderful reminder of our humanity, our genuine concern for other humans in times of trouble.
Tonight, we welcome a group of talented musicians from the New Orleans area. Their music is an integral part of the spiritual strength of the people of this region.
Before we start, allow me to thank Jazz Radio for their technical assistance tonight. I would also like to thank Deutschland Radio Kultur. They are taping the concert this evening for future broadcast. One final announcement: I would like to remind you that everyone is invited to join us for some refreshments following the concert.
And now, please join me in welcoming -- all the way from New Orleans, the Marlon Jordan Quartet, featuring Stephanie Jordan.
