Federation of German-American Clubs - Annual General Lucius D. Clay Award

October 10, 2009

Berlin
Ambassador Philip D. Murphy

Liebe Frau Thor, Liebe Frau Heinrich,
Herr Bautell,
Präsident Momper,
Herr Sternecker, 
Professor Markschies, 

es ist mir eine Ehre, heute beim Verband der Deutsch-Amerikanischen Clubs zu sein, wenn die Lucius-B.-Clay-Medaille verliehen wird.

Dieses Jahr ist ein ganz besonderes Jahr für Deutschland – und die heutige Zeremonie ist auch eine ganz besondere. Am 9. November 1989 feiert Deutschland den 20. Jahrestag des Falls der Berliner Mauer.

Die Vereinigten Staaten gratulieren Deutschland zu diesem symbolischen Triumph von Demokratie und Selbstbestimmung. Aber es waren die Bürger der DDR, die mit ihrer Entschlossenheit und Ausdauer die Mauer zum Einsturz brachten. Der Fall der Mauer war ein Sieg für Menschlichkeit und Menschenrechte. Er läutete auch eine neue Ära der Freiheit ein. In Ostdeutschland und überall in Mittel- und Osteuropa konnten die Menschen jetzt an freien Wahlen teilnehmen. Sie konnten frei ihre Meinung äußern und erhielten andere grundlegende Rechte.

Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel, die erste Bundeskanzlerin aus der ehemaligen DDR, gehörte zu diesen Menschen. In diesem ganz besonderen Jahr könnte es keine bessere Empfängerin der Lucius-Clay-Medaille geben.

Als Naturwissenschaftlerin hatte Angela Merkel wenig mit Politik zu tun. Bis sie sich im Oktober 1989 politisch aktiven Kirchengruppen anschloss. Nach den ersten und einzigen demokratischen Wahlen in der DDR wurde sie Regierungssprecherin. Bei den ersten allgemeinen Wahlen nach der Wiedervereinigung im Dezember 1990 wurde Angela Merkel in den Bundestag gewählt. Sie stieg innerhalb der CDU auf. 2000 wurde sie zu ihrer Vorsitzenden gewählt. Seit 2005 ist Angela Merkel – wie wir alle wissen – Bundeskanzlerin. 

Bundeskanzlerin Merkel glaubt an eine starke deutsch-amerikanische Partnerschaft.  Sie hat oft gesagt, dass unsere gemeinsamen, grundlegenden Werte das Wichtigste an unserer Partnerschaft sind. Wir sehen das genauso.

Nun möchte ich aus Respekt vor Ihnen und Ihren Englischkenntnissen lieber auf Englisch weitersprechen und zitiere meinen Präsidenten: President Obama, in his proclamation in honor of German American Day, pointed out that German-Americans have contributed to our collective identity since the first settlements were founded in North America in the 17th century.  President Obama said “Essential to the growth of America, these farmers, soldiers, entrepreneurs, and patriots gave their strength, determination, and in some circumstances, their lives, so we [Americans] all may experience a brighter tomorrow.”  In the President’s remarks, he honors what Germans and Germany have contributed to the United States.  I would like to stress what we have meant to each other.

For the last 60 years, a mutual understanding has underlined the relationships between successive American and German governments, throughout all levels of government.  But for two thirds of that time, a wall prevented many from being able to live by that simple benchmark of freedom and democracy.  Many on both sides of that wall wondered whether we would ever succeed in pulling it down.  And indeed, it finally did happen.  People survived the imposition of totalitarianism behind the Iron Curtain and then launched one of the most important and peaceful revolutions in history by tearing down the Berlin Wall and restoring democracy to half of Europe.  And that is why people like Chancellor Merkel, who grew up behind the Berlin Wall, are adamant that “we must never take freedom for granted.  Freedom and democracy must be worked at continually."

Today political upheaval, tyranny, regional wars and religious polarization challenge our world in ways we would never have dreamed possible twenty years ago.  How can we cope with the global tests of our times?  In the ashes of World War II, wise people had the foresight and wisdom to create a web of multilateral institutions to support the security and prosperity that defined the latter half of the twentieth century.  That example can help us to answer today's global challenges.  We need to re-energize the relationships with our major allies and with the great multilateral institutions that play such an important role in maintaining stability the world. 

But nations are effective on the world stage in direct proportion to the talents, wisdom and experience of their leaders -- and their citizens.  The ties that bind Americans and Europeans are not just connections based on political and economic interests; they are also ties that connect us in the most personal way.  The strength of our relationship does not just rest on the shoulders of our leaders, or diplomats and soldiers.  It depends on people. 

One single, determined individual can make a difference.    For example, Captain Merle Potter who back in 1946 was convinced that the time had come to establish people-to-people relations between Germans and Americans.  He decided to establish a German-American friendship club.  Secretary of State Byrnes had just said in Stuttgart, that the American people wanted to help the German people win their way back to an honorable place among the free and peace loving nations of the world.  There was opposition to the clubs but General Lucius Clay agreed with Captain Potter.  General Clay agreed that it was of crucial importance to speak openly, in an honest and sincere fashion, to share ideas, to discuss differences and to pursue areas of agreement. 

That was the start of the network of clubs that has become the Federation of German-American Clubs.  I am sure that if General Clay could be with us today, if he could see how Germany has evolved, what a vibrant democracy it has become, what an important role it plays in the transatlantic and global community, he would find even his fondest dreams exceeded by reality.

The many programs operated by the members of Federation clubs around the country have made an enormous contribution to an understanding of our common goals.  You have all enhanced international respect, understanding, and communication in many, many special ways.   I would especially like to commend you for your support of youth exchanges.  Think of how many young Germans and Americans have had the opportunity to visit each other’s countries.  These are opportunities that we dare not take for granted.  On a recent visit to Washington, Chancellor Merkel remarked that it was always a joy for her to visit the United States.   As a young person, she had often dreamed of a journey to America but was quite sure that she would have to wait until retirement to fulfill that vision. 

Today, I am concerned that young Germans no longer dream about going to America.  I am concerned that they no longer believe that our two countries share common goals and values. 

For that reason, I am going around the country to try to engage young Germans in a conversation about where and how German and American interests mesh.  Because I am convinced they do. What is the perfect world?   I am convinced that our concepts of that perfect world do not vary that much. 

Earlier this week, Professor Markschies graciously hosted the first of these town halls at Humboldt University.  Since then, I have been to Bremen and Leipzig – and we have got more programs around the country. 

Certain perceptions have fed anti-Americanism in recent years, but they do not reflect who we are – and that is what I want to discuss with the young people of this country.

That benchmark for human rights and human dignity that Chancellor Merkel believes is so important is ingrained in America.  We have protected our unity and struggled to perfect our union by extending basic rights to all our people.  And those rights include the freedom to speak your mind, to worship your God, and to choose your leaders.  These are not things that we seek to impose -- this is who we are.  Liberty, democracy, justice and opportunity underlie U.S. priorities. Some accuse us of using these ideals to justify actions that contradict their very meaning.  Others say we are too often condescending                                                            and imperialistic, seeking only to expand our power at the expense of others.  We have lost ground in recent years but like my German, I think things are getting better every day.

Today, we must acknowledge two inescapable facts that define our world: First, no nation can meet the world’s challenges alone. The issues are too complex. Too many players are competing for influence, from rising powers to corporations to criminal cartels; from NGOs to al-Qaida; from state-controlled media to individuals using Twitter.

Second, most nations worry about the same global threats, from non-proliferation to fighting disease to counterterrorism, but also face very real obstacles – for reasons of history, geography, ideology, and inertia. They face these obstacles and they stand in the way of turning commonality of interest into common action.

We have learned from recent experience that when a financial system weakens in one country, prosperity is hurt everywhere.  When a new flu infects one human being, all are at risk.  When one nation pursues a nuclear weapon, the risk of nuclear attack rises for all nations.  When violent extremists operate in one stretch of mountains, people are endangered across an ocean.  That is part of what it means to share this world in the 21st century.

And yet, one of the things for those of us interested in promoting greater understanding and cooperation among people is the discovery that even bringing together persons of good will, bringing together men and women of principle and purpose -- even accomplishing that can be difficult. 

Despite the challenges facing us, there is a new commitment and optimism in the transatlantic relationship – due in part to the popularity of President Barack Obama. I know that we can count on the support of organizations such as the Federation of German-American Clubs, to fulfill one of President Obama’s goals, namely “to renew our relationship for a new generation, in a new century."

The President believes that Germany is a close friend and a critical partner to the United States.  I know that he is convinced that friendship is going to be essential not only for our two countries but for the world if we are to make progress on some of the critical issues that we face.  And so on his behalf, I commend all of you and the positive contribution the German-American Clubs make to enhance international respect, understanding, and communication.  And I also congratulate Chancellor Angela Merkel, the recipient of the 2009 Lucius Clay award.