Celebration of the 17th Anniversary of the Day of German Unity at "The Boathouse" in Central Park, New York,
October 3, 2007

Dear Commissioner Tiven, Frau Oberbürgermeisterin Roth,
Excellencies, Dear Colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Meine Damen und Herren,

we are delighted to welcome all of you who have come here tonight.

Thank you, Jordan Bisch and Erin Morely, from the Metropolitan Opera Lindemann Young Artist Development Program, who have just sung the anthems of the United States and Germany for us. The lyrics of the German anthem name three principles and values to which we are and will remain committed: Einigkeit / unity and Recht / law and Freiheit / freedom.

Who, in this room, knows that 300 yards from here, in Central Park, stands a bronze statue of the German poet and historian, who, more than anyone else in the German past, represents these values: Friedrich Schiller? At the time of the American Revolution, he was the most important dramatist of freedom, he inspired young Germans striving for national unity and he insistently stood for a re-definition of justice and the rights of humanity. For Schiller, it was not the utility to the state that should appear as law (nicht der Nutzen des Staates soll als Recht erscheinen). He regarded the rights of humanity and the rule of law not as abstract claims, but as essential ways of human relationships, just like other fundamental modes of existence, such as freedom, equality, beauty and morality.

These values of the enlightenment unite us, the United States and Germany, also today. Together we live up to our commitments and our international obligations. Chancellor Merkel and her government stand for closer relations with our American partner. At the same time, Mrs. Merkel speaks up when it comes to promoting the values for which we stand.

Germany, during its EU Presidency, has worked successfully to set the points for further integration within the European Union and to pave the way to a reform treaty for the Union. Our Presidency of the EU and of the G8 has raised the bar for all countries to cope with climate change. We have to make ourselves more accountable for the future of human existence at a time of a rapidly changing environment.

Celebrating our unity and values of freedom and rule of law tonight would not have been possible in this way without the manifold support we have received. Many companies have been helpful and you will find their names on the back of your invitation card. I wholeheartedly thank them.

A special thank you goes to our major sponsor: BMW, who has also supported us several times in the past and whose wonderful products you can admire outdoors. Thank you for your fidelity and reliability, not surprising for a carmaker of your caliber.

Speaking of German unity, it is more than natural that the City of Frankfurt is also a presenting sponsor this year. Frankfurt is the city of the Paulskirche, for a symbol of German Unity, even before it came to be, and for the freedom movement of 1848, which brought many German-born sons of freedom to the U.S., like Carl Schurz. A special welcome therefore to Mrs. Petra Roth, Mayor of Frankfurt. Frankfurt is, today, probably the most international of German towns, the financial center of continental Europe, a real gateway to modern Germany and I invite you to visit the Frankfurt corner.

We wish you all a wonderful evening, enjoy the German wines and German beer presented by VdP and Radeberger and a variety of German and international dishes.
Don’t wait any longer.
As Friedrich Schiller put it: “Lose not yourself in a far off time, seize the moment that is thine.”