Luxembourg Greets America free Concert Sept 19

You are invited to attend the Luxembourg Greets America Concert. The Bettendorf Firefighters Band will perform a creative selection of music with American origins, including: Blues, Jazz, Sinatra and Broadway.  The evening includes music, dance, narratives, costumes and a few surprises. 
The Embassy’s Marine Corps detachment will sell American beer, wine, hot dogs and souvenirs.   Everyone is welcome.

Please RSVP your attendance to: Concert@state.gov or by calling 46 01 23 ext 2292

Date: Saturday September 19
Time: 20:00
Location: Victor Hugo Exposition Hall
                60, Avenue Victor Hugo

United States Congressman Adam Smith on
a Working Visit to Luxembourg

Mark J. Biedlingmaier, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the United States of America welcomed United States Congressman Adam Smith who was on a working visit to Luxembourg August 12 and 13, 2009.  
Congressman Smith, who represents a district in the Pacific Northwest state of Washington, is in Luxembourg to educate himself on European Space activities relating to both civil and military applications and also to hold meetings on counter terrorism and interagency cooperation in the United Kingdom, France, Luxembourg and Belgium. 
During his visit to Luxembourg, Congressman Smith visited Société Européenne des Satellites (SES) in Betzdorf.   SES is the world’s leading commercial satellite group.   SES is a public company listed on the Paris and Luxembourg stock exchanges with a majority of capital owned by the Government of Luxembourg, which was instrumental in the company’s launch.

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Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn meets with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Washington, DC July 30, 2009

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, it is a real pleasure and delight to welcome the former and present foreign minister of Luxembourg. With the recent elections and the new government, which has many familiar faces, including the prime minister, but also the foreign minister, we are delighted to have this chance to discuss a lot of issues that we are working on together. So I thank you so much for being here.
VICE PRIME MINISTER ASSELBORN: Thank you. Thank you Hillary to receive me, it’s really an honor for me. I think we will speak about our bilateral relations. We are an important financial place – things are good. I think the cooperation between U.S. and Luxembourg is on a very high level. I am one of the 27 foreign ministers in the European Union, so I’ll give you my appreciation on Iran, Balkan, Middle East.
But I wanted to tell you one sentence from your husband. It was for me, a very – a very good sentence. He said in Denver, United States, they must lead by the power of its example, not by the example of its power. And therefore, we want to help United States, we want to help you to close Guantanamo, because this was not an example. And therefore – we are a small country, but we have the will to help with other partners sponsoring professional training for detainees, lodging and so on. So we will do it.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you. That means a lot to me. Thank you so much, Minister.
VICE PRIME MINISTER ASSELBORN: Yes, yes.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you all very much.

Mark J. Biedlingmaier

Chargé d’Affaires a.i., U.S. Embassy Luxembourg

Mr. Mark Biedlingmaier began serving as Chargé d’Affaires, a.i at the United States Embassy to Luxembourg on July 20, 2009.   

Mr. Biedlingmaier is a career Foreign Service Officer recently who most recently served in the United States Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, as Chief of Staff and Executive Secretary of the Department of State’s largest diplomatic and consular Mission worldwide. 

A former Peace Corps Volunteer in Osan, Republic of Korea, he joined the Department of State in 1983 and has served in Geneva, Switzerland (on detail to the former Arms Control and Disarmament Agency); Baku, Azerbaijan; Bangui, Central African Republic; Luanda, Angola; and, as Charge d’affaires/Deputy Chief of Mission in Brazzaville, the Republic of Congo. 

His foreign languages include:  French, Portuguese, Swedish, and a working-level knowledge of Russian and Korean.     

A native of Easton, Pennsylvania, Mr. Biedlingmaier graduated from the University of Scranton with degrees in History (MA) and International Affairs (BA).  He completed undergraduate studies at the Lundellska College in Uppsala, Sweden, as a Rotary International exchange scholar.  

He will serve as Chargé d’Affaires until the arrival of a new American Ambassador to the Grand Duchy.

 

               

 

Scholarship Awards Ceremony University of Luxembourg

A ceremony at the University of Luxembourg was held on June 4, 2009 to award U.S. Embassy – U.S. Enterprise scholarships to two students from the University of Luxembourg.  This year’s scholarships were awarded to Danielle Schnadt and Tania Steinmetz, who will spend one semester studying in the U.S. in the coming year. 
The financial sponsors of the U.S. Embassy – U.S. Enterprise scholarship include the following American companies operating in Luxembourg: Airtech Europe, Brinks, Deloitte, IBM, John Deere Bank, J.P. Morgan, Pfizer, EMC, Ocean Oil, Goodyear, State Street Bank, Guardian Glass and Covidien Group. 

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Memorial Day

The U.S. Embassy and the American Battle Monuments Commission hosted the annual Memorial Day ceremony late May, at the American Military Cemetery and Memorial in Hamm-Luxembourg.
The ceremony honored the men and women who died in the service of their country and featured remarks by various dignitaries.
After a choir performance by the Dikricher Solschlesselcher, the posting of the colors, and a fly-over by A-10 Thunderbolts from the USAF 52nd Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem, over fifty wreaths were laid next to the 5,076 graves by the official party and the U.S. and Luxembourg commemorative organizations and museums.   Each grave was decorated with a U.S. and Luxembourg flag and a red rose by the Brownies and Cub Scouts. The ceremony was attended by almost 500 people and concluded with a moment of silence, a twenty one gun salute, echo taps and both U.S. and Luxembourg anthems performed by the Luxembourg Army Band.

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Victory in Europe Day

Chargé d’Affaires Steve Kraft joined Defense Minister Schiltz, Luxembourg city Mayor Helminger and representatives from the British, Belgian, French and German embassies for a ceremony at the Golden Lady on the Place de la Constitution in Luxembourg city, marking Victory in Europe Day, May 8, 2009.  Chargé Kraft also attended a ceremony at the American Military Cemetery in Luxembourg where wreaths were laid in the chapel and at the tomb of American General George Patton.
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World Press Freedom Day

In recognition of World Press Freedom Day 2009, U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Officer Jeff Lodermeier and Media Assistant Patricia Reckel co-hosted an array of journalists and media representatives from Luxembourg for an afternoon luncheon.  The guests represented television, radio and print media outlets which publish and broadcast in five major languages, Luxembourgish, French, German, Portuguese and English.   Lodermeier used the gathering as an opportunity to promote the Fulbright scholarship program which is available to Europeans and others for study in the United States. More information about the Fulbright program can be found at: www.Fulbright.be

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"Bettendorf greets America" concert

The commune of Bettendorf Firefighters Band performed a benefit concert, “Bettendorf Greets America” under the haut patronage of the U.S. Embassy in Luxembourg on Saturday April 4, 2009. The creative and lively program included American Blues, Jazz, Pop, and Broadway selections among other favorites. The stage was adorned with a grand New York City skyline, complete with a massive three dimensional replica of the Statue of Liberty. In addition to superb musical performances, the program included insightful narratives which set the scene for each song, as well as thespians who recreated a country-western hoe –down and a dramatic jazz funeral. The band played to a full house which included special guests such as the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Mr. Lucien Weiler, Bettendorf mayor Mr. Albert Back and Mr. Jeff Lodermeier, Public Affairs Officer from the U.S. Embassy.

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U.S. Embassy participates in Relay For Life 2009

On March 28-29 2009, the Luxembourg Cancer Society staged its annual Relay for Life in support of cancer patients and their friends and families.  During the event, the U.S. Embassy fielded a Master team and took turns walking or running laps over the full 24- hour program at Luxembourg City’s largest sports center, the "Coque". 

 

The Relay for Life 2008 edition was a huge success: 307 teams totaling over 7,000 participants walked or ran in relays over the weekend and more than 3,000 people attended the opening ceremony on Saturday evening.

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Dean Acheson Stage program at Court of Justice

American law school graduates Mr. Sam Sadden and Ms. Antonia Eliason recently completed a three month internship at the Court of Justice of the European Communities located in Luxembourg.   The two were selected from a competitive pool of applicants who were nominated by prominent American law schools and selected to work in the chambers of EU judges.  Each year the U.S. Embassy administers the application process for approximately four interns work at the court as part of the prestigious Dean Acheson Stage (Intern) Program.   This year’s application deadline is May 1, 2009.  For more information, please contact the Public Affairs section at LuxembourgPublicAffairs@state.gov

Student Essay Contest & President Barack Obama Inauguration reception

To celebrate the Inauguration of President Barack Obama, the U.S. Embassy invited students from 19 high schools in Luxembourg to participate in a special awards ceremony to coincide with the Inauguration ceremonies in Washington, DC.   195 students who a participated in the embassy essay contest, “Dear American President-Elect” were invited to the Embassy on January 20.   Twenty five students were awarded prizes, which were  partially sponsored by three local businesses, Libo bookstore, Utopia theaters and Sotour travel agency.   Following the ceremony, the students attention was turned to a live television broadcast of the Inauguration of 44th President of the United States of America.   Students from the following schools participated in this year’s contest:

LTAM; Neie Lycée; St. George’s International School; Lycée Classique d’Echternach; Lycée Hubert Clement Esch; EPND; Ecole Privée Fieldgen; Athénée de Luxembourg; Lycée Michel Rodange; Lycée des Garçons; International School of Luxembourg; LGE; Lycée Michel Rodange; Ecole Privée Sainte Anne Ettelbruckand Lycée Aline Mayrisch.

 

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