Opening of the Elisabet Ney Exhibition  
Ambassador William R. Timken, Jr. 


Münster, January 26, 2008  

Lord Mayor Tillmann, Herr Polenz, Ms. Collins Blackmon, Ms. Rommé,  Ladies and Gentlemen,  It is a great pleasure to return to Münster.  My wife and I had a chance to learn about your beautiful and historic city when we visited you in July.  This time I have been just as impressed.  Let me say that I have been coming to Germany for the last 47 years, mostly for business.  But in the past two and a half years, my wife Sue and I have had more time to find out what a great tourist destination Germany is.  So although it’s my job, as Ambassador, to promote America in Germany, I also promote Germany to my fellow Americans whenever I get the chance.  Germany is a beautiful country with great people.  There is fascinating history to discover in every part of the country.

The Treaty of Westphalia was signed in Muenster’s Hall of Peace 350 years ago.  That treaty was the start of modern diplomacy.  Mr. Polenz, I would like to thank you for the interesting discussion we had earlier today.  We talked about the 21st century challenges faced by responsible nations and their citizens.  As chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Bundestag, you play a special role in guiding Germany’s foreign policy.  I would like to commend you for your commitment and also for your support of the German-American partnership.   

As you know, Mr. Polenz, in the world of 21st century diplomacy, contrary to when the Treaty of Westphalia was signed, dialogue between people – ordinary citizens, young and old – is just as important as meetings between heads of state and their representatives.  That is why we place so much importance on developing new student exchange programs here in Germany for young people who might not otherwise have the chance to visit the United States.   

But there are many ways to learn about the cultures of other countries.  This exhibit of the works of Elizabet Ney shows how art can build bridges.   

Back in the 19th century, Elisabet Ney  was one of the first German-American artists to build a cultural bridge between her birthplace in Muenster and her new home in Texas.  Elisabet Ney embraced her new life in America.  She carved out a role for herself as a link between her old and her new homeland but that didn’t stop her from becoming “a real Texan.”  In fact, she was one of the most influential women in early Texas history.  The Elisabet Ney Museum in Austin is the oldest museum in Texas.  It was her former studio.  Here she sculpted many historical figures – both American and German.  Today the museum is a national, state and local historic landmark.  The museum offers visitors a unique look at Texas history through the life of a creative and spirited woman.  Like so many German immigrants, she enriched many aspects of American life. 

As the largest ethnic group in the United States, German Americans have had a great influence in the arts, but also business, government, law and science.  Their talent, faith, and strong values helped establish America as a place of freedom and opportunity. 

I myself have German roots, of which I am very proud.  My great-great-grandfather emigrated with his family of six young children in 1838 from the town of Tarmstedt, near Bremen. They also went to the frontier of America at the time, St. Louis, Missouri.  Last year, three generations of Timkens descended on Tarmstedt for a family reunion.  We feel very connected to German-American history. However, apart from family and personal connections, exhibits such as this are important public reminders of the historic dimension of the German-American relationship.  Elisabet Ney is an important part of that history.  Her story and her work deserve wider recognition.  I had a preview of the exhibit earlier today and am honored and privileged to serve as patron of this exhibition.   

This year the United States will move into our new Embassy in the heart of Berlin, returning to our pre-World War II location beside the Brandenburg Gate.  The new building is a symbol of America's support of a unified Germany but also of our ongoing commitment to the German-American relationship.  We want to use the occasion of our Embassy opening to reach out to the German people with a simple message about the importance of the German-American partnership.  This exhibit underscores that message.  It illustrates our strong historical ties.  But more than that: the efforts of all those who worked so hard to make this important German-American project possible show how today we can build equally strong connections to the future.  I wish the exhibit great success and the widest possible attention. 

Thank you very much for your initiative.