Speeches & Texts
Christmas Tree Lighting
December 4, 2009
Hamburg
Ambassador Philip D. Murphy
Thank you very much for inviting the Murphy family to the lighting of this magnificent Christmas tree. This is a wonderful tradition that was started 58 years ago when the U.S. Consulate moved into the little White House on the Alster.
Here in Hamburg, Americans and Germans look back upon many strong traditions and more than two hundred years of shared history. In 1790, the first American Consulate in Hamburg - and one of the first consulates of the young country of the United States of America- was opened. George Washington was President and Thomas Jefferson, the author of the Declaration of Independence, served as his Secretary of State. In the century that followed, millions of people left Europe from the port of Hamburg for the New World.
Over the past 60 years, there is no question that America's relationship with Germany has been among the most important alliances. Today at the start of the 21st century, the transatlantic partnership is the anchor of America's global diplomatic engagement. No nation can deal with the global challenges of the 21st century alone. Nowhere are there better or more committed partners than in Europe, and Germany is the centerpiece of the European Union.
Christmas is a time to celebrate friendships and to celebrate our blessings. What more wonderful symbol could there be of the partnership between the people of this region and the people of the United States of America than this magnificent American coastal pine tree (Amerikanische Küstentanne) from the Duvenstedter Forest. A special thanks to the Hamburg police and fire departments, not only for their assistance in putting up this Christmas tree, but for their ever-present and much appreciated support all year round.
Tonight, on behalf of America's 44th President, Barack Obama, and his Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton, I wish you and all the citizens of Hamburg a wonderful holiday season.
The magic of Christmas is in the air tonight in Hamburg. My wife, Tammy and I, and our children, Josh, Emma, Charlie, and Sam hope that the peace and joy of this holiday season will remain with you throughout the coming year. Merry Christmas, and God bless you.
And now it's time to turn on the lights - energy efficient LED lights, I might add.