Evolution of a Friendship
Deutsche Atlantische Gesellschaft
Bad Windsheim, Fränkisches Freilandmuseum, October 22, 2008
Chargé d’affaires John M. Koenig

Herr Bartsch,
MdB Schmidt,
Dr. Düppler,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

On behalf of the Embassy, I would to thank the Fränkisches Freilandmuseum and the Deutsche Atlantische Gesellschaft for providing this opportunity to learn more about the history of the German-American relationship. It goes back in time – back in fact to the first European voyages of discovery.

German immigrants were also among the first pioneers to settle America. For over three centuries, Germans have helped build, invigorate, and strengthen the United States. The United States has embraced a vast array of German traditions, institutions, and influences.
More Americans trace their heritage back to German ancestry than to any other nationality. I am proud to count myself as one of them. My grandfather’s family migrated from the Würzburg area to the American Great Plains in the 1870’s. Few people have blended so completely into the multicultural tapestry of American society and yet have made such singular economic, political, social, scientific, and cultural contributions to the growth and success of the United States as have Americans of German extraction.

But the United States has given as well as received. America conceived of and implemented the Marshall Plan, which helped the new German democracy rise from the rubble of war to become a beacon of democracy in Central Europe. The Berlin Airlift demonstrated the American commitment to the defense of freedom when, still recovering from war, Berlin was threatened by strangulation from the Soviets. This year, we celebrated the return of our embassy to the Embassy’s pre-war location next to the Brandenburg Gate, just a few meters away from where President Reagan called upon Secretary Gorbachev to tear down the wall that divided this country and Europe. We were honored to welcome Chancellor Merkel and former President Bush to our Embassy grand opening. All of us were especially moved by the words of President Bush 41 whose commitment to support German reunification so potently expressed the special bond between our two nations. Almost two decades have passed since the fall of the Wall. Those of us who came of age during the Cold War still pause to marvel at what Germany has achieved in the past 20 years – as a foundation stone of modern Europe, a strong transatlantic partner, and a leading global citizen.

Within this time period, no two parts of the world have experienced integration faster and more intensely than the U.S. and EU. Over the course of the past year, the Embassy and our five Consulates have been tracking some of the indicators that measure the levels of connectivity that link our two countries. The data we collected demonstrates that the U.S.-German relationship is deeper, more fundamental, more interconnected and more important then ever before. The relationship is so broad and deep, and in some cases so seamless, that it is often taken for granted. We contribute to each other's trade, work for each other’s companies, enjoy each other's cultures, and learn from each other's experiences.

Earlier this month, the German Embassy in Washington released a public opinion poll on Americans' attitudes towards Germany. Americans ranked Germany as one of America’s most important international partners.

The survey demonstrated that good diplomatic relations, mutual trust and agreement on foreign policies, defense collaboration on defense issues, and successful economic cooperation all contribute to good bilateral relations. As your Ambassador in Washington, Klaus Scharioth, said in Washington, when introducing the poll, “We share a common vision of the future. We are called upon to seek solutions as partners and friends."

This exhibit and programs such as this meeting here this evening are useful because they demonstrate that historically Americans and Germans share fundamental values and beliefs. They also highlight that common vision of the future. Today, as in the past, we will draw on the depth and strength of our relationship to accomplish more together than we ever could alone.

Again, it’s a pleasure to be here. Thank you.