Selected Events 2008 - Consulate General Frankfurt, Germany

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Selected Events 2008

Season's Greetings from U.S. Consul General Jo Ellen Powell

December 22, 2008. At this holiday season, my family joins me in wishing each of you and your families a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to be a part of such a fine team of men

and women, dedicated to delivering the very best of themselves, day and in day out, to their clients, to their colleagues, and to their communities. May the blessings of the holiday season be with you now and in the coming year. Merry Christmas!

Dave Liebman and Marc

Copland Inspire Frankfurt Jazz

Fans

December 18, 2008. Jazz saxophonist Dave Liebman and pianist Marc Copland played to a sell-out crowd of modern jazz fans at a packed Romanfabrik. Marc

Copland is known as an insider's tip among jazz pianists. Dave Liebman, who plays soprano and tenor sax, is one of the great representatives of modern and free jazz and has played with Miles Davis, Elvin Jones, and Chick Corea. Since 2002 Copland and Liebman have frequently toured together. Michael Hohman of Romanfabrik greeted the guests of this special jazz evening, which was supported by the U.S. Consulate General, before the two musicians filled the air with their unique jazz sound. | Photo Gallery

ESTA Facilitates Visa Free

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Selected Events 2008 - Consulate General Frankfurt, Germany

Travel to the U.S.

December 17, 2008. On December 17th, the U.S. Consulate General

organized a press briefing on the Electronic System for Travel Authorizationc (ESTA). Minister Counselor for Consular Affairs David C. Stewart explained the ESTA process and provided background information on visa free travel. The journalists learned how easy it is to fill out the ESTA application and how quick it was appoved. One-on-one interviews with MC Stewart and the attending journalists followed. Starting January 12th, 2009, all international travelers seeking to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program are required to fill out the ESTA forms before their travel. Further information on ESTA is available at http://germany.usembassy.gov/esta/

USA Infosession for Fulda

Students December 15, 2008. On December 15, 35 students from the University of Applied Sciences Fulda

attended an information session on studying and interning in the United States. The majority of the participants major in international management and business and plan to go to the United States for a semester, an internship or both. EducationUSA Frankfurt discussed the U.S. education system, organizing internships and visa issues. The students picked up information materials on EducationUSA and the services of the U.S. Consulate Frankfurt. The University of Applied Sciences cooperates with a number of U.S. universities, including the University of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, San Francisco State University, California and Boston University, Massachusetts.

University of Applied Sciences Mannheim Students Get Ready

for the U.S. December 10, 2008. On December 10th, EducationUSA of the U.S.

Consulate General Frankfurt briefed students of the University of Applied Sciences in Mannheim on the visa application process. The 15

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Selected Events 2008 - Consulate General Frankfurt, Germany

participating students are preparing for internships in the U.S. and plan to leave early next year. Following an overview of how to apply for a visa and how to fill out the application forms, the students had their specific questions answered. The University of Applied Sciences cooperates with six U.S. universities, including the University of Connecticut in Storrs, the University of Maryland, College Park, and the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

U.S. and EU Infosession at Frankfurt City Library

December 5, 2008. EducationUSA Frankfurt, Eurodesk Germany and the International Placement Service of the Labor Exchange held an afternoon information session at the City Library Frankfurt on studying and

working in the United States and the European Union. 100 participants used the opportunity to ask for advice and pick up information material. Up to 30 participants attended the presentations on studying and working in other countries. At the booth of the U.S. Consulate Frankfurt/EducationUSA, questions ranged from how to organize a stay as an Au Pair to internships, studying and working in the United States. The Consular Section provided extensive information on immigrant and non-immigrant visa. Frankfurt City Library is an America@YourLibrary partner.

Frankfurt Interfaith women network says farewell to Sue

Timken

December 1, 2008. The Interfaith and Intercultural Women's Network Frankfurt said farewell to Mrs. Sue Timken, who had supported the network strongly since its inauguration in December 2007. The meeting, which was also attended by Frankfurt Consul General Powell, took place at Haus am Dom in Frankfurt, and was organized by the Catholic Adult Education Center. Dr. Kornelia Siedlaczek gave a lecture on the theories of French philosopher Rene Girard followed by small group discussions. The evening was concluded by thanking Mrs. Timken for her involvement with the women’s network and by singing Christmas carols together.

U.S. Education System explained in Oberursel

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Selected Events 2008 - Consulate General Frankfurt, Germany

November 21, 2008. 35 participants braved unexpected snow and sleet to learn about the U.S. education system. Renate Vollmer from

EducationUSA Frankfurt/U.S. Consulate General provided an overview of primary and secondary education (K-12) as well as college and university education. The presentation was followed by an intensive Q&A session lasting more than an hour. The presentation was part of a four lecture series “Hello America! Examining the United States” organized by the “Volkshochschule Hochtaunuskreis”. Topics covered by speakers from the Frankfurt University and the U.S. Consulate are the political system, economic and financial system, education system and foreign policy.

Douglas Bandow Analyzes U.S.

Elections

November 18, 2008. Douglas Bandow, a fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute in Washington, D.C., captivated audiences in Karlsruhe and

Frankfurt with his in-depth analysis of the U.S. elections and their implications. In Karlsruhe, Bandow was the keynote speaker at a luncheon hosted jointly by the local American-German Business Club (AGBC) and the U.S. Consulate General Frankfurt. In Frankfurt, Bandow gave a public lecture co-sponsored by the Protestant Academy Arnoldshain and the Frankfurt City Library where the event took place. The 150-plus participants at the two events were impressed by Bandow’s fascinating insights into the voting patterns, the performance of the Obama campaign and transition teams and into the challenges and opportunities lying ahead of the new administration.

Full House at “Blickpunkt USA”

in Mosbach

November 12, 2008. “Blickpunkt USA” was the title of a public discussion evening at the Berufsakademie Mosbach in Baden-Württemberg where over 200

guests filled the big lecture hall to capacity. Dr. Andrew Denison, Director of Transatlantic Networks in Königswinter, gave a lecture on “The Change in the White House – Political and Economic Implications” in which he offered a detailed analysis of the election results and their meaning both from a domestic and international perspective. Mr. Rick Myatt, Managing Director of MLM International, followed with a lecture on “Business Opportunities, Market and Negotiation Strategies for the U.S. Market.” Although acknowledging the dimension of the challenges faced by the new administration and the American economy, Denison and Myatt emphasized the many new opportunities for investment and cooperation within the transatlantic partnership.

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Selected Events 2008 - Consulate General Frankfurt, Germany

Ambassador Timken praised

German-American relations November 7, 2008. Before departing for Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Ambassador William R. Timken Jr. delivered the

opening address at the November 7 Transatlantic Business Conference “The Transatlantic Marketplace: Challenges and Opportunities beyond 2008” hosted by AmCham Germany, F.A.Z. Institute, and the Federation of German Industries/BDI. Addressing high ranking business leaders and politicians, Ambassador Timken highlighted the economic interrelation between the United States and Germany, which have become the bedrock of the bilateral relationship. In a PA-arranged farewell interview with the regional daily newspaper “Mannheimer Morgen”, Ambassador Timken said that German American relations have never been better in history than today. In his keynote address to the German American Women’s Club of Heidelberg which celebrated its 60th anniversary, he praised the German-American relations as a true global partnership between equals.

Consul General Powell opens "Neue Musik Nacht" at

Frankfurt University of Music

and Performing Arts

November 7, 2008. Consul General Jo Ellen Powell joined Vice-President Prof.

Michael Schneider of the Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts in opening the university's first night of new music focusing on modern music from North America. The extensive program by students, teachers and guest musicians offered something for every taste - from Gershwin to Cage, from jazz to classical music. The university symphony orchestra opened the evening with a performance of Gershwin's "An American in Paris". The highlight of the night was a performance of John Cages' "Winter Music", played on 18 pianos by 18 pianists on three floors of the university. The program selection is a testament to the diversity of modern American music.

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Selected Events 2008 - Consulate General Frankfurt, Germany

Groundbreaking for New

Multipurpose Building

November 6, 2008. On November 6, 2008 construction began for a new Multipurpose Building at the U.S. Consulate General Frankfurt. Consul General Jo Ellen Powell delivered remarks, commenting

that she looks forward to the completion of the structure next summer, hopefully before she departs Frankfurt. "The building will add additional space for training, public affairs events, award ceremonies, and gatherings,” Consul General Powell announced with pride.

2000 Interested in Studying and Working in the United

States, Europe and Overseas

November 6, 2008. On November 6, EducationUSA Frankfurt participated in "AVANTI!

Job, Praktikum und Studium in Europa und Übersee" in Darmstadt. The fair, organized for the eigth time by the Regierungspräsidium Darmstadt, featured 32 organizations offering stays abroad. About 2000 teenagers and young adults used the opportunity to pick up information on studying and working in foreign countries. At the EducationUSA information booth, the students asked mostly about studying and interning in the States. How to organize a high school year in the States was also popular. Presentations on “Going to the U.S. after school” and "Studying in the United States" filled the room to capacity with 60 listeners.

Consul General Powell and City Treasurer Becker cut the election cakes

Celebrating the U.S.

Elections 2008 in

Frankfurt

November 4+5 2008. Some 1400 invited guests joined Consul General Jo Ellen Powell, consulate officials and staff for an all night party to celebrate the 2008 U.S. Elections at the Westin Grand Hotel

in Frankfurt. The program was sponsored by the American German Business Club Frankfurt, Commerzbank AG, Starbucks, Hessischer Rundfunk, Hessische Landeszentrale für politische Bildung and others. American and German experts provided background on U.S. election campaign strategies and swing states as well as analysis of the results. Hundreds participated

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cheerfully in a quiz to test their knowledge about American politics. The band "15 Strings" entertained the guests in the course of the night. (More) | Photo Gallery

Holly-Jane Rahlens Enchants Children At State Library

Festival In Rhineland

Palatinate

October 28-30, 2008. As a contribution to the Rhineland-Palatinate state-wide library festival, the U.S. Consulate

General and Rowohlt Publisher sponsored several readings by Holly-Jane Rahlens, American writer resident in Berlin, in cities throghout the state from October 28-30. Holly-Jane Rahlens, winner of the German Youth Literature Prize, enganged some 300 students in readings from her latest youth novel “Memoirs of an Ex-Cheerleader” (working title), set in New York in the early sixties. Under the patronage of Minister President Kurt Beck the festival featured over 360 events at over 150 libraries from October 24 – 31. (More)

Future Bankers and Managers Interested in Studying and

Interning in the United States

October 28, 2008. On October 28, the Frankfurt School of Finance and

Management offered an evening information session on studying and interning in the United States. Students are required to spent time abroad and interest in combining a course of study with an internship in the United States is great. Renate Vollmer from EducationUSA Frankfurt presented information on the higher education system, graduate studies, explained how students can find information on internship opportunities and talked about the visa application process. The 30 students used the opportunity to have their questions answered, mostly on internships. The Frankfurt School of Finance and Management is a leading private business school based in Frankfurt am Main. Cooperations exist with Emory University (Atlanta), University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, Hawaiian Pacific University (Honolulu), the University of Iowa and San Diego State University.

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Selected Events 2008 - Consulate General Frankfurt, Germany

“Beyond the Horizon” – the United States of America

October 22 & 23, 2008. Information on exchange opportunities with the United States was in great demand at the “Beyond

the Horizon” exchange fair in Konstanz on October 23, 2008. 600 university and high school students from the Konstanz region checked out ways to spend time in the U.S. and other countries at this day-long career fair organized for the third time by the University of Applied Sciences Konstanz. 32 exhibitors offered information on studying, volunteer work, internships, financial aid and visa. At the EducationUSA booth, students asked questions about exchange opportunities with the United States, especially about internships and graduate studies. They picked up information materials on EducationUSA and other services of the Information Resource Centers. On October 22nd, members of eight international offices from universities in the region received a two hour briefing on U.S. visa.

Dr. von Marshall discusses U.S. elections

October 20, 2008. Dr. Christoph von Marschall, the U.S. correspondent of the Berlin-based daily newspaper Der Tagesspiegel gave a lecture on “America Before the Elections – McCain, Obama and the Long Road to the White

House” at Frankfurt University. Co-sponsored by the Hesse Center for Political Education, Frankfurt University’s Center for North American Studies and the publishing house Orell Füssli, the event drew over 200 guests. Von Marschall offered an in-depth analysis of how the parties’ national conventions, the vice-presidential nominations, the TV debates and the financial crisis had impacted on the dynamics of the campaign. He also explained how to read the various polling data putting them into the perspective of the electoral college system.

HdM Students check out

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studying and interning in the

United States

October 20, 2008. More than 50 students of the Stuttgart Media University attended an information

session by EducationUSA Frankfurt and Stuttgart on studying and interning in the United States. Following an overview of the higher education system in the United States, the German-American Institute Stuttgart introduced the students to their programs and EducationUSA services. The majority of students attending plans to spend time in the United States on an internship and the second part of the information session dealt with exchange opportunities and visa-related issued. The students picked up information materials on studying and interning, the services of the U.S. Consulate General Frankfurt and the German-American Institute Stuttgart. They appreciated the CD ROM “About the USA” to help them get ready for the States.

U.S. Consulate features Turkish-American Writers at

Frankfurt Book Fair: On October 17, Minister-Counselor for Public Affairs Dr. Helena Kane Finn introduced Turkish-American writer Güneli

Gün and Maureen Freely, an American writer who grew up in Istanbul, to a diverse audience at the Literaturhaus Frankfurt. Turkey, the guest of honor of this year’s Book Fair, serves as inspiration to both writers, who look at the country from abroad, yet make it the center of their stories. In addition to reading from their novels, both discussed the challenges of translating literature, since both have translated novels by Nobel Prize recipient Orhan Pamuk for the English-speaking world. On October 18th, the U.S. Consulate and Frankfurt's city library, the consulate's America@yourLibrary partner, teamed up with publishing house Wagenbach for a matinee reading by Daniel Alarcon who introduced his latest novel "Lost Radio City" to a crowded house. More | Photo Gallery

Deputy Chief of Mission Koenig

Discusses Role and

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Responsibility of Diplomats

October 7, 2008. In a lecture organized by the U.S. Consulate General Frankfurt and the “Stiftung Polytechnische Gesellschaft Frankfurt am Main”, Deputy Chief of Mission John M. Koenig discussed “Diplomacy and Responsibility” with 50 invited

guests, among them business leaders, politicians, representatives of state governments, and journalists. In his lecture the he commented on how diplomacy today is reacting to new international challenges not faced before and explained the principles of transformational diplomacy. The ensuing lively discussion focused on the conflict between Georgia and Russia, the U.S. elections and their effects on U.S. foreign policy, and the differences between the German Foreign Service and the U.S. Foreign Service. The audience of regional opinion-makers very much appreciated the first-hand insights into the workings of U.S. diplomacy.

The happy winners of the language courses. Far right: Uwe Becker. Center: Consul General Jo Ellen Powell

Germans and Americans celebrate

Friendship Day in

Frankfurt October 6, 2008.

Germans and Americans celebrated their friendship at a late afternoon reception hosted

by the U.S. Consulate General in Frankfurt. City Treasurer Uwe Becker praised the bonds of German American friendship and recalled the support of Presidents Ronald Reagan and George Herbert Bush for German reunification. Consul General Jo Ellen Powell welcomed approximately 400 guests and emphasized that despite the importance of high-level exchanges the links between ordinary Americans and Germans were what made German American friendship run deep. She noted that travel by Germans to the U.S. had increased by 10 percent in the last year and the number of Americans traveling to Germany had increased by 15 percent over the same period. Five winners of a contest at the September 20th "Hello World" Student Exchange Information Fair were announced by Public Affairs Officer Jeanine Collins; most of the winning students said they proposed to study English. The Check Six U.S. Air Force band from enlivened the reception with its swing tunes. | Photogallery

Consul General Powell

brings American Spirit

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Consul General Powell meets with students of the BIL school

to BIL School in

Stuttgart

October 1, 2008. Consul General Powell visited the BIL school in Stuttgart on October 1st. Principal Muammer Akin along with Manfred Ehringer, one of the founders of BIL, welcomed the Consul General and introduced

her to the school. Eighty percent of the 214 students are from an immigrant background, with most of their families coming from Turkey. The school was founded in 2004 with the objective of better integrating immigrant and minority students into German society. The mission of the school is to create an environment in which these students could reach their full potential and thus empower them to participate in German academic or political life, seizing the oportunities offered. Consul General Powell met with students of the school and joined an English class, where she led a discussion about America and talked about her background in the U.S. Foreign Service. She introduced Ambassador and Sue Timken's Windows on America program, which brings less privileged students into exchange program, and this generated great enthusiasm among the students. Asked about what guidance she could give them, Consul General Powell said: "Don't forget that your life is in your own hands. Your parents and teachers are here to help you out along the way, but it's about what you yourself make out of it." (More)

“MEETUS”-Workshops on

American Dream and 2008 U.S.

Elections

September 29-October 1, 2008. The U.S. Consulate General organized three “MeetUS”-workshops on “The American

Dream” and on “The U.S. Election System and the 2008 Elections” at the Viktoria-Schule Darmstadt and the Rhein-Main-School in Hofheim. The students discussed the historical, philosophical, religious and political origins and bases of the American Dream and pointed to alternative concepts and challenges to the American Dream during the course of American history. As part of an extended election workshop in Hofheim, the class had to break up into 2 “campaign headquarters” for “John McCain,” and “Barack Obama” preparing their respective candidate for the following “live-TV debate” moderated by Consul Jeanine Collins, head of the consulate's press and cultural section. Actively functioning as campaign staffers and as candidates, the students gained deep insights into the various campaign issues and what it means to be involved in political campaigning.

Paint Fest Murals at

Clementine Children's Hospital

September 29, 2008. Public Affairs Officer Jeanine Collins handed over four more murals from the German-American Paint Fest to Frankfurt’s Clementine

Children's Hospital. The staff of the children’s hospital, which is located next to the Frankfurt Zoo, was very happy to receive the colorful paintings with animal motifs in time to be integrated into their own renovations. The visit to Clementine Hospital was the last to hand over the murals from the June Paint Fest to

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children's hospitals in Frankfurt. In the last weeks, murals have also been donated to the children's sections of Frankfurt University Hospital and Klinikum Höchst.

Graphic Display of

Transatlantic Ties

September 27, 2008. In the presence of U.S. artist and Jawlensky Prize winner Brice Marden, Hesse Minister President Roland Koch, and Consul General

Jo Ellen Powell, Museum Wiesbaden opened two significant exhibits on September 27, 2008. The two exhibits, a retrospective of Brice Marden’s work over the last 40 years, and Lines, Grids, Stains, Words, drawings of Minimal Art from the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, New York, show the development of graphic art and emphasize the process of creating a piece of art, from an intimate sketch through the testing of diverse artistic techniques to the reduced statement of a painting. Minister President Koch highlighted the importance of arts and culture as a bridge between the U.S. and Germany, and of the transatlantic ties most evident in the Rhein-Main area, where 700 U.S. companies are headquartered, and 21,000 U.S. citizens are resident. Koch added that 350 planes departing Frankfurt airport every day for the United States, and noted that the U.S. Consulate General in Frankfurt was the largest consulate -- of any nation -- in the world. Consul General Powell in her welcoming remarks praised the Museum Wiesbaden for its national and international reputation and its tradition of showing outstanding American artists. The exhibits will be shown at Museum Wiesbaden until January 18.

Racism Drowned in Cheers

September 24, 2008. Consul General Jo Ellen Powell spoke to over 200 students, teachers, and a high number of dignitaries at Pestalozzi Hauptschule Ludwigshafen. In a ceremonial act, the school received the award

School without Racism – School with Courage (Schule gegen Rassismus- Schule mit Courage) from the Aktion Courage, an association against racism that began its work in Germany in 1995. Consul General Jo Ellen Powell, who serves as the patron for the School without Racism project at Pestalozzi Schule, was interrupting by vociferous cheers from students when she delivered the news that the school was chosen to participate in the Windows on America Program in 2009. Students, who are primarily from minority backgrounds, ran up and embraced Consul General Powell at the conclusion of their dramatic program. Pestalozzi Hauptschule in Ludwigshafen is the first Hauptschule in Rhineland-Palatinate and the first school in Ludwigshafen to receive the honor of being School without Racism . Eighty-five percent of its students have an immigrant background and come from 30 different countries. The ceremony was framed by an excellent artistic program by the students with a rap against racism, a song remembering 9/11, a theater play and a multi-cultural dramatic sketch. | Photo Gallery

"Understanding" Competition

Winners Receive Checks from

Sponsor Fraport

September 23, 2008. The second and third prize winners of this

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year’s "Understanding/Überbrücken (Bridging Over)" contest, Aukamm Elementary School and Wiesbaden High School, received checks of Euros 1000 and 2000 respectively from sponsor Fraport. The elementary school students together with their German exchange school in Nauheim had produced a video

about the Airlift. The students of Wiesbaden High School developed a webpage with information about the Airlift and sent 'care packages' to a school in Berlin Spandau. The contest, which takes place every two years on relevant topics, is part of the Understanding program jointly organized by the U.S. Consulate General and the City of Frankfurt. The program promotes German-American friendship by facilitating a lively cultural exchange between Americans and Germans, particularly in the Frankfurt region.

(Foto: Wolfgang Eilmes)

Consul General Powell speaks

at Steuben-Schurz Society

60th Anniversary

September 23, 2008. Consul General Jo Ellen Powell delivered a Grußwort to an overflow crowd at the 60th Anniversary celebration of the Steuben-Schurz-Gesellschaft on the evening September 23. The celebration by

the society dedicated to promoting German American friendship drew approximately 400 people, to the "emperors' hall" provided by the City of Frankfurt for the festivities. In addition to Consul General Powell, the society's president, Ingrid Gräfin zu Solms-Wildenfels and city treasurer Uwe Becker spoke, with Becker praising the transatlantic relationship. Former Minister of Education and Science Klaus von Dohnanyi was the featured speaker; he drew applause for his praise of the cultural contribution of American music, which included performances by a U.S. Air Force band.

German-American Paint Fest

Murals Handed over to Höchst

Hospital

September 23, 2008. Public Affairs Officer Jeanine Collins visited the children’s hospital of Städtische Kliniken Höchst to hand

over four murals that were painted during the German-American Paint Fest this summer. PD. Dr. med. Lothar Schrod, director of the children’s hospital, showed Jeanine Collins the treatment room, where one of the murals has already found a place and gave them a tour of the hospital. The Paint Fest was organized in June by Scott Feight, director of the Foundation for Hospital Art together with the U.S Consulate and the Hessen Soccer Association to create colorful and soothing artwork that is donated to hospitals to help ease the often stressful hospital experience. Over 80 Frankfurt soccer kids and their families participated in the first German-American Paint Fest, where the young soccer players first played a tournament and then together with their families painted eight murals, which are donated to Frankfurt hospitals. The Paint Fest was sponsored by Halle Foundation, a non-profit organization that was established to increase knowledge and understanding between Germans and Americans.

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Selected Events 2008 - Consulate General Frankfurt, Germany

Workshop on "How to Be

Successful in Election

Campaigns”

September 23, 2008. The U.S. Consulate General and the Atlantic Academy Rheinland-Pfalz jointly organized an evening workshop on “How to Be Successful in Election Campaigns” at the Erbacher Hof in Mainz. The four-hour workshop was conducted by Darrell West, Vice President and Director of Governance Studies at the Brookings Institution, and attracted 35 young Germans from

Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Rheinland-Palatinate, Hesse, Saarland, and Northrhine-Westphalia active in election campaigning for the CDU, SPD and FDP. As an authority on all aspects of modern campaigning including the role of the media and the internet, West was able to offer an analysis of the newest methods and their effects as applied in the current U.S. election campaign. First successfully used in the 2004 elections, the method of systematic micro-targeting of voters' groups was met with particular interest.

Study in the U.S., Australia or Sweden? Hello World High

School Student Exchange Fair

Attracts 1200 Visitors

September 20, 2008. The U.S., Canada or maybe China? Turkey or Argentinia? 1200 students and their parents enjoyed learning

about various programs available to high school students interested in spending a time in another country. For the sixth year, the City of Frankfurt and the U.S. Consulate organized the youth exchange fair "Hello World!" at the Wöhlerschule in Frankfurt, one of the largest fairs in Germany. 47 exchange organizations and educational advisers presented their programs and services. Visitors talked to representatives of the organizations and picked up information materials. They enjoyed chatting to former exchange students who had volunteered to share their experience. Presentations on what to consider when deciding on an organization and on financial aid were attended by up to 200 people. The U.S. Consulate provided guidance on visa procedures and EducationUSA presented their services. Nikolaus Münster from the City of Frankfurt, Public Affairs Officer Jeanine Collins and City Official Bartelt greeted exhibitors and talked to former exchange students. | Photogallery

Roundtable on U.S. Elections

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at Hesse State Chancellery

September 17, 2008. Prof. Edwina Campbell, Ph.D., of Maxwell Airforce University, Montgomery, Alabama, participated in a breakfast roundtable on the dynamics of the U.S. elections at the Hesse State Chancellary in

Wiesbaden. Campbell was able to present fresh perspectives on the ongoing campaign by placing it in the context of past elections, especially concerning the role of foreign policy as a campaign issue. Professionally involved in military leadership training, she drew her interlocutors’ attention to a new focus and mentality among the younger generation of U.S military officers who no longer had any Cold War experience gathered in Europe.

American Citizen Information

Night Draws a Crowd

September 16, 2008. Approximately 200 Americans citizens and their family members came to the Consulate to learn about the services that the

Consular Section and government agencies such as the IRS, the Social Security Administration and the US Citizenship and Immigration Service offer to the local American community. Consul General Jo Ellen Powell and Consular Section Chief Lawrence Mire welcomed the attendees. The event also featured a Community Groups Fair in which over 20 local organizations, including churches, schools and social clubs, participated. Since this is an election year, the Voter Assistance Table was very popular. If you have not yet registered to vote, the deadline for most States is fast approaching. Please click here for Overseas Voting Information. Send us your questions at GermanyACS@state.gov and find information about further services for U.S. Citizens here. | Photo Gallery

Consul General Powell Hosts

Reception for Participants of

Automechanika Trade Fair

September 15, 2008. More than 150 guests attended a reception hosted by Frankfurt's Consul General Jo Ellen Powell on the eve

of Automechanika, the world’s largest trade show for automotive parts on September 15, 2008. The event was sponsored by three major automobile associations, AAIA (Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association), MEMA (Motor Equipment Manufacturers Association), and SEMA (Specialty Equipment Marketing Association) and brought together U.S. exhibitors at Automechanika, international buyers, trade media and association representatives and members of the Commercial Service International Automotive Team.

Consulate Community Remembers September 11

September 11, 2008. With the flag at half mast and in front of Marine Color Guard, Consul General Jo Ellen Powell remembered

the victims of September 11 in a memorial

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service that brought together consulate employees and their families. The Consul General said she -- like all those gathered -- would always remember with crystal clarity the moment she heard of the tragedy, and thanked the heroes of September 11, among them Secret Service Agent Tim Boerner, who had reported for duty at the field office in World Trade Center days before September 11 and assisted others at Ground Zero at the risk of his own safety. She also thanked Germans for their empathy and support, and noted that eleven Germans were among the almost three thousand victims. Agent Boerner then joined the Consul General in laying the wreath. A moment of silence was followed by a benediction delivered by Reverend Wolff. Remarks by Consul General Jo Ellen Powell | Photogallery

Washington Quarterly Chief

Editor at PRIF

September 10, 2008. Washington Quarterly chief editor Alexander Lennon and 20 senior and junior researchers of the Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF) discussed a wide spectrum of foreign policy issues ranging from the Georgia conflict to the basic principles of international cooperation. Lennon emphasized that the dividing line in the debate

about the future of democracy promotion was not between but within the Republican and Democratic Parties. He criticized that the discussions of the future of international cooperation were narrowly limited to the issue of membership in organizations like the U.N., WTO, EU and NATO. The real issue, he said, was the fact that the traditional principles of international relations, like national sovereignty, free trade and the free market system, had eroded.

Consul General Powell hosts Iftar at her residence

September 8, 2008. On the occasion of this year's Ramadan, Consul General Jo Ellen Powell hosted an interfaith dinner at her residence. The guests reflected the broad spectrum of religions and

cultures living in Germany. Among the guests were representatives from Muslim, Christian, and Jewish communities, from the City of Frankfurt, the Hessen Landtag, the Frankfurt police as well as from the Turkish and German media. The participants enjoyed lively discussions on a wide

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variety of topics. Of particular interest to all were events offered during the Frankfurt Book Fair, whose guest of honor this year is Turkey.

MCPA Dr. Helena Kane Finn Opens Exhibition

Remembering 9-11

September 7, 2008. On September 7th, Minister-Counselor for Public Affairs Dr. Helena Kane Finn opened the photo exhibition

"I Once Had a Sweet Little Doll - Reflections on September 11th" by Carin Drechsler-Marx in Weingarten/Württemberg. A New Yorker herself, Dr. Finn recalled the shock of the attacks in 2001 and highlighted the gratefulness of Americans for the displays of sympathy by German citizens who had laid flowers and lighted candles in front the U.S. Embassy and the consulates in Germany. She quoted two New Yorker writers who observed the situation in the city in the days following 9-11: "The wax from the candles dripped and flowed together as our differences seemed to melt away. New Yorkers came together in a public ritual that in its transcendence of any single belief system represented all of them." In her art, Carin Drechsler-Marx expressed her feelings caused by the 9-11 tragedy. She used the dolls in her photographs as a symbol of vulnerability and childlike innocence. (more) | Speech | Photo Gallery

U.S. Consulate Informs Newcomers to Hessen About

services offered September 7, 2008. On September 7th, the U.S. Consulate General participated in the eighth "Newcomers" Festival at the Frankfurt Römer. U.S. Citizen Services and the Public Affairs Section

teamed up to inform an international audience about their services. More than 200 newcomers visited the booth to learn about upcoming events, pick up paper flags and the CD Rom “About the USA” and hear about educational advising services. U.S. citizens were particularly interested in voter registration, passport services and the upcoming American Citizen Information night.

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Consul General Powell Hosts

German Graduates of FBI

National Academy

September 5, 2008. U.S. Consul General Jo Ellen Powell and the FBI Office of the Legal Attaché hosted a reception for German National Academy Graduates. The special event celebrated the 100th

Anniversary of the FBI and reunited German law enforcement leaders and managers who graduated from the FBI National Academy over the past 20 years. FBI Assistant Director Thomas Fuentes of the Office of International Operations also attended the event. The FBI National Academy is a ten week professional course of study for U.S. and international law enforcement leaders that serves to improve the administration of justice in police departments at home and abroad. Participation is by invitation only. | Photogallery

IMeNS goes America: PAO Jeanine Collins inaugurates

America@yourLibrary

Partnership with Network of

Media Centers

September 4, 2008. On September 4th, Public

Affairs Officer Jeanine Collins officially inaugurated the U.S. Consulate's America[at]yourLibrary partnership with the media centers of Hesse's Lahn-Dill-District (IMeNS) at the Johanneum Gymnasium in Herborn. She described America@yourLibrary as a partnership initiative between the U.S. Embassy and public libraries in Germany. The 200 students, teachers and journalists in attendance were very impressed by the wide network of partner libraries in Germany and that First Lady Laura Bush herself had personally inaugurated two other America@yourLibrary partnerships while accompanying President George W. Bush on trips to Germany. Ms. Collins donated American books on a variety of topics, including sports, literature, children's literature, and the elections. In addition, she presented a check in the amount of €2,500 for the acquisition of new multimedia teaching modules to Simone Vetter and Meike Lauer of IMeNS. (more) | Photo Gallery

Consul General Powell opens

Joe Stefanelli exhibit in

Frankfurt

September 3, 2008. Frankfurt Consul General Jo Ellen Powell opened an exhibit with works of U.S. artist Joe Stefanelli at the renowned Frankfurt Gallery Barbara von Stechow. Jo Ellen Powell is the patron of the exhibit

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that shows works of one of the last representatives of the legendary New York School and of abstract expressionism. In her introductory remarks, Ms. Powell spoke in front of a full house, emphasizing the importance of artistic, cultural, and educational exchange programs as the surest way to preserve the close friendship between Germany and the United States.

U.S. Election Campaign Fills

Lecture Hall

September 2, 2008. The U.S. Consulate General joined the Frankfurt-based “Montagsgesellschaft,” the Peace Research Institute Frankfurt and AIESEC in organizing a public evening lecture on “McCain vs.

Obama – The Long and Winding Road to the White House” by Georgetown University professor Stephen Wayne at Frankfurt University. Over 200 guests from all walks of life, including many young Germans, filled the university lecture hall to capacity. A well-known expert of the American presidency, Professor Wayne received a host of questions and a long round of applause for his in-depth analysis of the unprecedented dynamics of this year’s election campaign.

German-American Paint Fest murals donated to Frankfurt

University Hospital August 29, 2008. PAO Jeanine Collins visited the Frankfurt University

Hospital to see the murals that were donated to the kid's section at the German-American Paint Fest in June. Prof. Dr. Thomas Klingebiel, director of clinic III received Collins together with Anna-Lena Schwarz from the German Soccer League and Derya Karaova of Hessischer Fussball Verband, partners of the Paint Fest. The Paint Fest was organized in June by Scott Feight, director of the Foundation for Hospital Art together with the U.S Consulate and the Hessen Soccer Association to create colorful and soothing artwork that is donated to hospitals to help ease the often stressful hospital experience. Over 80 Frankfurt soccer kids and their families have participated in the first German-American PaintFest. The young soccer players played a soccer contest, and together with their families painted eight murals, which were donated to Frankfurt hospitals. The German-American PaintFest was sponsored by Halle Foundation, a non-profit organization that was established to increase knowledge and understanding between Germans and Americans.

Winners of UnderstandinG competition visit Memorial Site

Point Alpha

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August 26, 2008. 15 students of Engelsburg Gymnasium Kassel and Ziehenschule Frankfurt visited Memorial Site Alpha close to Fulda. The students had participated in a project competition on the occasion of the 60th commemoration of the Berlin Airlift organized through the

UnderstandinG project of the U.S. Consulate General and the City of Frankfurt. The students have won the trip to Point Alpha with their documentary film and with an oil painting on the Airlift. The program at Point Alpha consisted of a guided tour through the museum, the former U.S. observation point, and along the former border of East and West Germany. After lunch, the students engaged in interesting discussions with two Zeitzeugen, Renate Stieber, former liaison officer of the U.S. Army in Fulda, and Bertold Dücker, co-founder of the Memorial Site and himself a escapee from the former East Germany.

4th Interfaith and Intercultural Women's Network Meeting at

Frankfurt Police Headquarters

August 20, 2008. Frankfurt Consul General Jo Ellen and Mrs. Sue Timken joined ca. 40 women for

the 4th meeting of the Interfaith and Intercultural Women’s Network on August 20. The meeting was hosted by the Frankfurt Police Department. Police Vice President Sabine Thurau and Hessen Interior State Secretary Oda Scheibelhuber spoke about their efforts to recruit immigrants for the police force to mirror the multicultural society in Frankfurt, and introduced the European Network of Police Women. Afterwards, the steering group of the Frankfurt Interfaith Network presented the results of their discussions on the goals and objectives of the network.

America at 2008 Gießen Festival

August 16, 2008. On August 16th, Sister Cities Assocation Gießen -

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Waterloo, Iowa, presented information on the partnership during the annual "Stadtfest Gießen". The towns have been sister cities since 1981. Members of the association staffed an

information booth and talked to Gießen citizens about their activities, including trips to Waterloo, Iowa. They were joined by the U.S. Consulate General Frankfurt. Visitors tested their knowledge of the United States with a USA quiz and had their questions on exchange opportunities and visa answered. They picked up information on the services of the U.S. Consulate Public Affairs Section, upcoming events, the “Meet US” program and EducationUSA Frankfurt.

Frankfurt Celebrates the Blues

July 31, 2008. American blues singer Angela Brown, saxophonist Detroit Gary Wiggins and the band Martelle & Friends unleashed blues power at a sold out Open Air concert entitled “Big City Blues: Chicago - Detroit - Frankfurt” at Frankfurt Palmengarten on July

31. Consul General Jo Ellen Powell and Karin Wittstock from Palmengarten greeted the enthusiastic crowd at this eighth event in an annual series of concerts co-sponsored by the Consulate, Palmengarten, Friends of Blues and Frankfurter Rundschau. On the hottest day of the year, an overflow outdoor audience of 1000 celebrated top quality blues artists from Germany and the U.S. with standing ovations after two and a half hours of finest music. (More) | Photo Gallery

Dancing Students Connect

with Enthusiastic Freiburg

Audience

July 15, 2008. This year’s work of the New York based Battery Dance Company in Germany concluded on July 15 with an

outstanding performance of a total of 100 schoolchildren from eight Freiburg schools at two sold out shows at the Freiburg Theater. Frankfurt Consul General Jo Ellen Powell welcomed an enthusiastic audience on behalf of Mission Germany. This summer, the dancers and teaching artists under the leadership of choreographer Jonathan Hollander brought their successful transatlantic intercultural program "Dancing to Connect", a unique arts education program, to Stuttgart, Berlin, and Freiburg. The school children aged 14-18 created their own choreographies along the themes of tolerance and intercultural understanding during the 5 day workshops with the dancers. With the accompanying research of the Freiburg Educational College, this project breaks new ground for the development of school curricula nationwide regarding intercultural learning and English as a foreign language. Video | Photo Gallery

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Carl-Schurz-Haus and EducationUSA Frankfurt team

up at International Day

Freiburg July 10, 2008. On July 10th, the German-American Institute Freiburg and EducationUSA/U.S. Consulate General

Frankfurt offered information on exchange opportunities with the United States during the “International Day” at the Albert-Ludwigs University. During the event, students listened to presentions on exchange opportunities world-wide and received information at a exchanges fair. About 30 of the 100 attending students asked about studying and interning in the United States and more picked up information material on exchange opportunities. Freiburg University cooperates with numerous universities, including Northern Arizona University, University of Arizona, Tucson, University of Texas, Austing, University of Virginia and the University of Washington, Seattle.

Connecting with Americans

through Music - Tübingen

"Windows on America" group

shares impressions with

Consul General Powell

July 9, 2008. On July 9, 2008, Consul General Jo Ellen Powell met with members of the school band of Hauptschule Innenstadt in Tübingen, who recently returned from their "Windows on America" program in Washington, D.C., Charlotte, North Carolina and New York. Consul General Powell listened to the experiences of the ten students and their three teachers, who chaperoned the group, and discussed differences and similarities between American and German lifestyles. Headmaster Fritz Sperth commended the organization World Learning that put together the program in the United States for arranging so many "musical encounters" between the school band and American school choirs and bands: "Even though the English language provided some challenges at times, we all communicated beautifully in the universal language of music." (more) | Photo Gallery

ESTA Regulations explained at press event

July 8, 2008. On July 8, the U.S. Consulate General Frankfurt and the Visit USA Committee Germany arranged for a press

roundtable with Minister Counselor for Consular Affairs David C. Stewart on the implementation

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of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). The questions the journalists asked focused on the ESTA process, on the visa waiver program, on data protection, and on the reasons for introducing ESTA. At present, citizens of the 27 visa waiver countries may travel to the U.S. for tourism or business for up to 90 days without having to obtain a visa. To improve security, U.S. authorities are now introducing an online system to evaluate travelers’ data in advance of travel asking for the same data which is currently collected upon arrival in the U.S. on the I-94W form. The new Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) will automatically evaluate the information and advise registrants of their eligibility to travel to the U.S. "ESTA is nothing new since it asks for the same information as the I-94W. But since this information is asked in advance it will make visa waiver travel easier and safer," said Minister Counselor David C. Stewart in radio interviews to HR1 and HR info after the roundtable.

Seminar "Between

Dictatorship and Freedom" at

Point Alpha

July 2, 2008. As part of the series "Between Dictatorship and Freedom" organized by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation,

the seminar took place at "Haus an der Grenze" at Point Alpha and focused on the division of Germany within the framework of the Cold War. Now a memorial, meeting and discussion forum at the Hesse-Thuringia border between Rasdorf and Geisa, Point Alpha once was the U.S. forces' key observation post in the so-called "Fulda Gap" where the first military offense on part of the Warsaw Pact was expected in the case of war. The significance of this historic place contributed to the intensity of the discussions among the almost 70 participants and also inspired the concluding panel discussion on the role of the United States as West Germany's ally during the Cold War with Hans-Joachim Otto (MP), Dr. Wolfgang Hamberger, former mayor of Fulda, Wolf Refardt, History Department/Potsdam University, Renate Stieber, former U.S. Liaison for the American military in Fulda, and Dr. Andrew Denison, Director/Transatlantic Networks in Königswinter, who had been recruited by the U.S. Consulate General. Moderated by Dr. Volker Nies of Fuldaer Zeitung, the lively discussion also dealt with the German-American partnership after the end of the Cold War and the imminent change in the White House.

Photo: Wolfgang Eilmes

Consul General Jo Ellen Powell

Hosts Independence Day

Reception

June 30, 2008. Consul General Jo Ellen Powell hosted Frankfurt’s official July 4th event at her residence on June 30. Over 100 guests representing local and

state governments, cultural, educational, and financial

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institutions were in attendance at the two hour reception. Photo Gallery The main Fourth of July celebrations this year will be held in Berlin with the Grand Opening of the new U.S. Embassy on Pariser Platz on July 4 and an "Amerikafest" for the general public to enjoy on July 5. | Program of Berlin Festivities

U.S. Airlift Veterans Sign

Golden Book of Frankfurt and

Meet with Young Students

June 30, 2008. During their stay in Germany for the commemoration of the beginning of the Berlin Airlift 60 years ago,

U.S. veterans, among them "Candy Bomber" Gail Halvorsen, were received by the city of Frankfurt and signed the Golden Book. City Treasurer Uwe Becker welcomed the guests at the Frankfurt Römer. Together with Uwe Becker and Consul General Jo Ellen Powell, who are the patrons for the UnderstandinG project between the City and the U.S. Consulate, the veterans and guests had the opportunity to see the projects German and American school children created for the special Airlift competition. The goal of the UnderstandinG program is to further mutual understanding and bring together both Frankfurt and American youth living in the region. The commemoration of the airlift provided an excellent opportunity to start the first competition of the UnderstandinG project which will take place every two years. The veterans were quite impressed by the creative ideas of the students and both sides enjoyed the exchange. | Photo Gallery

50,000 enjoy Wiesbaden Airfield Open House and

commemorate Berlin Airlift June 29, 2008. For the first time since 9/11, the Wiesbaden US Army Garrison (USAG) held an Open House at its airfield.

About 50,000 visitors from all over Germany enjoyed the day and had a great time. The event is one of many that are commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Berlin Airlift. "Candy Bomber" Gail Halvorsen and other Airlift veterans talked about their experiences, gave autographs and had their pictures taken. One of the highlights was a candy-drop - the parachutes made out of handkerchiefs having been put together by children and volunteers throughout the day. The Consulate General Frankfurt Public Diplomacy and Consular Section Staff set up a table to provide information about visa, travel and study in the United States. Hundreds of visitors tested their airlift knowledge by taking a quiz, picked up information on the U.S. and had their questions answered. (more) | Photo Gallery

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60

years of German-American friendship celebrated at Berlin

Airlift commemoration in Wiesbaden and Frankfurt

June 26, 2008. The State of Hesse, the City of Wiesbaden, the U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden, the City of Frankfurt am Main, and the Frankfurt International Airport (Fraport AG) commemorated the 60th Anniversary of the Berlin Airlift. The June 26 celebration began with a breakfast-reception at Wiesbaden U.S. Army Airfield (USAG), with Airlift veterans and U.S. Army soldiers, Wiesbaden Mayor Helmut Müller and Wiesbaden USAG Commander Col. Ray Graham spoke at the airfield. Ambassador William R. Timken, Jr, Mrs. Timken, Hesse Minister-President Roland Koch, Defense Minister Franz-Josef Jung, airlift veterans Gail Halvorsen and Earl Moore, and other prominent guests then boarded a vintage aircraft of the era for a flight from theWiesbaden Army Air Field to the Berlin Airlift Memorial site at Frankfurt International Airport, where the 60th Anniversary commemoration was officially inaugurated. (more) | Photo Gallery

"Dancing to Connect" Touches Hearts and Minds in Stuttgart

at Opening of American Days June 26, 2008. On June 26, Consul General Jo Ellen Powell opened the first American Days in Stuttgart at the city's

Wilhelma Theater along with Baden-Württemberg's Minister of the Interior, Stuttgart's Lord Mayor, the Director of the Board of the James-F.-Byrnes Institute, and a representative of the Robert Bosch Foundation. Minister President Oettinger's idea of celebrating the German American friendship in an American Days festival has been realized by the James-F.-Byrnes-Institute in cooperation with the cultural office of the city of Stuttgart and the Robert Bosch Foundation. The 10-day long program features the strong transatlantic relationship in more than 80 events. (more) | Photo Gallery | Videos: Workshops | Interviews with Teachers

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and Students | Remarks Consul General Powell | Dancing to Connect | Evening Program | American Days in Stuttgart

The spirit of the airlift carried by the young generation

June 26, 2008. As part of the major airlift commemoration ceremony at the Airlift memorial at Frankfurt airport, young students were honored for their innovative ideas how to bring an understanding of

the airlift to the younger generation. The winners of the competition "Ueber Brücken - Überbrücken" were called on the stage where they received their prizes. The first prize, a trip to Berlin, goes to 13th graders of Engelsburg Gymnasium Kassel, who delevoped the game airlift; the second prize was awarded to Aukamm Elementary School Nauheim Grundschule for their joint film project enhancing their exchange relationship; the third prize was received by students of Wiesbaden High School for their creation of a webpage on the airlift. The competition is a key element of the Understanding project between the City of Frankfurt and the U.S. Consulate General in Frankfurt. The goal of the program is to further mutual understanding and bring together both Frankfurt and American youth living in the region. After the ceremony, the kids enjoyed talking to Gail Halverson and the other veterans about their experiences during the airlift. | Photo Gallery

Berlin airlift veterans visit former 5th corps HQ and

Consulate

June 25, 2008. On June 25, the day before the official 60th anniversary celebration of the Berlin

Airlift at Frankfurt Airport, PA Frankfurt organized visits for a group of Berlin Airlift veterans, among them the world-famous candy-bomber Gail Halvorsen, to two of the sites related to their active duty days in Frankfurt 60 years ago. After a guided historical tour of the former U.S. Fifth Corps headquarters, now part

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of Frankfurt University’s Westend Campus, the veterans, family members and accompanying German friends visited the former U.S. military hospital, now the U.S. Consulate General, where they were welcomed by CG Jo Ellen Powell and briefed by PAO Jim Seward. As a prelude to the grand celebrations, the PA-arranged visits offered the veterans a welcome opportunity to refresh their personal memories of official places which had played key roles for them during the airlift. Remarks by the Consul General and the PAO assured the veterans of the living legacy of their heroic engagement for the German-American partnership as one of the corner stones of U.S. foreign policy. | Photo Gallery

"Check Six" at the 25th Schweizer Straßenfest

June 21, 2008. After the arrival of numerous VIPs, among them Deputy Consul General Richard X. Aker with his wife and daughter, in historical

horse buggies at the center stage at Schweizer Platz in Frankfurt-Sachsenhausen, a varied musical program brought countless visitors of the 25th Schweizerstraße-Fest into the mood. One of the musical highlights was the concert by 'Check Six', the widely known Jazz Band of the United States Airforce in Europe, recruited by the U.S. Consulate General. Since its inception in 1945, this 13-member jazz ensemble has been performing the best of America's original musical style throughout Europe and Southwest Asia. The band made their large, enthusiastic audience dance and clap their hands with classic tunes by Jazz and Blues legends like Count Basie, Woody Herman, Glenn Miller, Buddy Rich und Ray Charles.

Ludwigshafen - Pasadena, California: 60 years of

friendship

June 19 to 21, 2008. Three days to celebrate 60, 45, 20 and 10 years of partnership. Ludwighafen pulled out all stops to

mark the sister city partnerships with Pasadena, California (60 years), Lorient, France (45), Dessau (20) and Antwerpen, Belgium (10). The U.S. Consulate General participated in many of

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the events in support of one of the oldest sister cities relationships between an American and a German city in Germany. Consul General Jo Ellen Powell enjoyed the Thursday evening reception at the BASF guesthouse attended by delegations from the four countries and partnercities. On Friday, Deputy Consul General Richard Aker participated in a guided city tour and a reception at the town hall. On Saturday, the sister cities and the U.S. Consulate took part in "SpektakuLum", the annual Ludwigshafen festival featuring hundreds of music groups and information booth. The sister cities and the Consulate provided information material on their countries and cities. Hundreds of visitors from the Ludwigshafen region enjoyed talking to guests from the sister cities and admired the fire engines brought to Ludwigshafen. The U.S Consulate provided information on their services, answered visa-related questions and advised on exchange opportunities with the U.S.

Soccer kids paint pictures to be donated to hospitals

German-American Paint Fest draws

Frankfurt soccer kids

June 20, 2008. Over 80 Frankfurt soccer kids and their families participated in the first German-American PaintFest on the grounds of TSG 51 in

Eschersheim. The young soccer players played a soccer contest, and together with their families painted eight murals, which were donated to Frankfurt hospitals. The Foundation for Hospital Art initiated the PaintFest to create colorful and soothing artwork that is donated to hospitals to help ease the often stressful hospital experience. The German-American PaintFest was sponsored by Halle Foundation, a non-profit organization that was established to increase knowledge and understanding between Germans and Americans. The Frankfurt Paint Fest was supported by Sportkreis Frankfurt, and the Kreisjugendausschuss Frankfurt of the Hesse Soccer Federation (HFV). In addition, the German Soccer League (DFL) will give a donation to the University Hospital for each painted mural. On April 26, young soccer players of the North Atlanta Soccer Association already had created eight murals. Scott Feight, Director of the

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Foundation for Hospital Art, and James Seward, Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Consulate, presented the 16 colorful murals and an additional one produced by the Consulate community to representatives of Frankfurt hospitals (more) | Photo Gallery

"MeetUS" school programs at

Frankfurt high schools

June 17 and 19, 2008. Barry Post, a young intern with the U.S. Consulate's Public Affairs section, conducted workshops on “The American Dream” and "The U.S. Election System and the 2008 Election Campaign" with 12th

graders at the Helmholtz-Gymnasium and the Elisabethenschule in Frankfurt. In the first workshop Post explained the historical, philosophical, religious and political origins and bases of the American Dream and pointed to alternative concepts and challenges to the American Dream during the course of American history. In the second one, he explained the American election system, including the primary and caucus systems, the candidates’ personal and political backgrounds and positions as well as the special dynamics and characteristics of this year's campaign. Both workshops were part of the Consulate General's school outreach program "MeetUS."

Young Americans participate

in German-American Paint Fest

June 14, 2008. A group of kids from the Consulate community in Frankfurt painted pictures for the German-American Paint Fest, which will take place on Friday, June 20. The Paint Fest is an

international sports and arts project that connects German and American kids to promote a worthwhile purpose. The Foundation for Hospital Art initiated the Paint Fest to create colorful and soothing artwork that will be donated to hospitals to help ease the often stressful hospital experience. The German-American Paint Fest will be sponsored by Halle Foundation, a non-profit organization that was established to increase knowledge and understanding between Germans and Americans. On June 20, young soccer players of the Frankfurt region will participate in a soccer contest, and together with their families will paint eight additional murals. On April 26, young soccer players of the North Atlanta Soccer Association already created eight murals. All 16 colorful murals will be presented to representatives of the Childrens Hospital Clementine, the Hoechst Hospital, and the St. Markus Hospital.

Seminar for school newspaper editors on U.S. elections

June 13 & 14, 2008. As part of its school outreach activities, the U.S. Consulate General organized the second seminar for young editors

of school newspapers on “Wie keine Wahl zuvor:

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Der Kampf um’s Weiße Haus 2008“ at the Haus am Maiberg in Heppenheim a.d.B. Held both in English and German, the seminar was co-sponsored by the Hesse Center for Political Education in Wiesbadenthe and the Jugendpresse Hessen e.V and attracted 20 ambitious student journalists from the state of Hesse. A mixed team of two German and two American experts engaged the participants in lively discussions in the form of lectures and group workshops. The participants also received a wealth of materials, including a compilation of Internet resources and publications on the various thematic issues, put together by the consulate's Information Resource Center.

Consul General Powell meets

"Windows on America" group

and Sister City delegation in

Freiburg

June 13, 2008. Consul General Jo Ellen Powell met with participants of the "Windows on America" program from Emil-Gött Schule in

Freiburg and discussed the trip to Washington, Charlotte, and New York with the students. The 10 students and their two teachers who chaperoned the group were very enthusiastic about their experiences in the United States. Especially the stay with American host families in Charlotte, North Carolina, where the students received an insight into the daily life of an American family provided strong impressions for the kids. In the afternoon, Consul General Powell together with Freiburg Lord Mayor Dieter Salomon and Madison, Wisconsin, Lord Mayor Dave Cieslewicz, attended the opening of the Meeting of the Sister Cities on the Freiburg Market Square. A delegation from Madison was also in town for a week to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the sister city partnership between Freiburg and Madison, Wisconsin. (more) | Photo Gallery

Consul General Powell Meets

with Young City Ambassadors

June 10, 2008. On June 10, Consul General Jo Ellen Powell met with 15 young City Ambassadors of the Polytechnical Society Foundation Frankfurt to

talk about diplomacy, the importance of volunteerism and how it can change society. Jo Ellen Powell shared her personal experiences as a diplomat with the students and emphasized two essential skills that are needed in her daily work: coordination and communication. She expressed her appreciation for the work of the young Ambassadors by saying that their work in the neighborhoods is nothing less than what she does on a larger scale, namely diplomacy. The young Ambassadors between the ages of 19-27 have developed cultural, social and sports projects that will improve their neighborhoods, among them, for example, a climbing tower presented by Dirk Fischer from Nieder-Erlenbach, who managed to raise 40,000 Euros for the project so far, or the 'generation talk' initiative established by Serkan Rahman in Griesheim, where the younger and older generations can come together and exchange ideas.

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Predeparture Workshop for

High School Exchange Students

June 10, 2008. As part of the U.S. consulate’s "MeetUS" school outreach program, intern Christine Cosson offered an intercultural predeparture orientation workshop about "High School and Family

Life in the U.S." for 31 students of the Europa-Gymnasium Wörth on the Rhine. The students, aged 16-17, will spend 3 weeks in September/October at high schools in Rochester and Niantic in Illinois, staying with American host families. Having graduated from her high school in Tallahassee, Florida, only a year ago, Christine filled the students in on all aspects of American high school and family life, including curricular and extra-curricular activities, socializing, youth culture, dress codes, as well as the do's and don’t’s both in school and outside. At the conclusion of the workshop, she presented the teachers with a comprehensive information package put together by Frankfurt’s Information Resource Center.

Integration in the United States: Native Americans

June 9, 2008. Have you seen the movie Dances with Wolves? Have you read Karl May stories? Are these representations true? Do American

Indians today resemble any of these representations? In her talk at the Frankfurt Otto-Hahn-Schule on June 9, Allison Davis-White Eyes, Director American Indian Initiatives, Oregon State University, adressed some stereotypes and misperceptions of current American Indian culture while portraying the actual daily life and diversity of Native Americans in the United States today. Cultures do not stay the same, and for American Indians this is also true. Since 1492 American Indian people have adapted and changed over time, and Ms. Davis-White Eyes highlighted some of their changes and challenges. After her presentation, Allison Davis-White Eyes explained the tradition of her colorful outfit and showed the 40 9th-graders a traditional American Indian dance. Afterwards, the enthusiastic students joined her in a welcome dance. Ms. Allison Davis-White Eyes works as Coordinator in the Indian Education Office at Oregon State University. Previously she served as Special Assistant to the President on Native American Affairs, also at University of Oregon. She received a BA in American History in 1983, and an MA in American Indian Studies: History and Law in 1988 from the University of California, Los Angeles. She will complete her doctoral degree in Education in 2008.

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Video of the presentation | Video of the dance

Consul General Powell at

Heidelberg exhibit opening

"The Other America"

June 7, 2008. Consul General Jo Ellen Powell offered welcoming remarks to almost 200 guests at the opening of the exhibit "The Other America" at the German-

American Institute in Heidelberg. The exhibit is based upon a wide variety of materials created in a special school project by secondary school classes in North Baden. With the help of twelve American exchange students, the German 11th and 12th graders took a critical look at their own pre-conceptions of America, the results of which they present in an exhibit running until July 23. The school project is supported by the German-American Institute, the Robert-Bosch-Stiftung, the Regierungspräsidium Karlsruhe and the universities of Heidelberg and Mannheim. (Photo: Patrick G. Stößer)

Steuben-Schurz-Gesellschaft

turns 60! June 7, 2008. Founded in 1948 the Steuben-Schurz- Gesellschaft is the oldest German-American

Friendship Organization. On Saturday, June 7th the organization celebrated its 60th anniversary with a day full of activities. The day started off with a seminar attended by 33 German and American Interns. The seminar focused on topics such as cultural adaptation including stereotypes the participants might encounter during their stay in the host country. Public Affairs Officer, James Seward, briefed the participants on current events that the American Interns might be asked about while in Germany. Following the orientation Juliana Adameit, the SSG Program Coordinator guided a Frankfurt City Tour showing the interns the highlights of Frankfurt. Wrapping up the day of events was a Barbeque dinner and award ceremony at the Frankfurter Golf Club. Approximately 110 guests and supporters were in attendance in honor of the Steuben-Schurz-Gesellschaft celebrating its 60th anniversary.

Ambassador Shirin Tahir Kheli

Exchanges Women

Empowerment Experiences

June 6-9, 2008. Ambassador Shirin R. Tahir Kheli, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s Senior Adviser for women's empowerment visited Mannheim,

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Karlsruhe, and Frankfurt and met with several organizations that focus their activities on women's empowerment. Together with Consul General Jo Ellen Powell, who joined her for a large part of the program, Ambassador Tahir Kheli visited the Catholic Family Educational Institution, and met representatives of gig7 – an institution assisting women to start-up a business. She also learned about the girl’s workshop

at the intercultural education center and met members of the project Changes – a group of teenagers with diverse ethnic backgrounds who put together a Hip Hop Musical on Integration. Ambassador Tahir Kheli and Consul General Powell met with Lord Mayor Dr. Peter Kurz and representatives of the City, and signed the Golden Book of Mannheim. In Karlsruhe, Ambassador Tahir Kheli visited a Mother’s Café – a project in a school for women with immigrant background. (More) | Photo Gallery

"Hollywood Librarian" Goes Library Congress

Mannheim

June 5, 2008. Librarians – they have more cardholders than VISA, more items than FedEx

and more outlet’s than McDonald’s. Up to 300 enjoyed Ann Seidl’s film "The Hollywood Librarian" at the Bibliothekartag Mannheim, the largest library congress in Europe. Public and academic librarians from all over Germany had a great time seeing this illuminating portrait of American librarians as they have been portrayed in the movies, juxtaposed with the real-life librarians, who are the gatekeepers of knowledge in an increasingly digital and globalizing world. After the screening, writer/director Ann Seidl answered questions and signed posters. The screening, supported by the U.S. Consulate General Frankfurt and the Mannheim University Library struck a chord among the audience members and also provided numerous insight in U.S. local politics and social life. | Photogallery

Mannheim Students Get Ready for the U.S.

June 4, 2008. For the second time, EducationUSA of the U.S. Consulate General Frankfurt offered an

information session on visa at the University of Applied Sciences in Mannheim. The 30 participating students from the University of Applied Sciences and the University of Mannheim

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are preparing for their stay in the U.S. as students or interns in the fall of 2008. Following an overview of how to apply for a visa and how to fill out the application forms, the students had their specific questions answered. The University of Applied Sciences cooperates with six U.S. universities, including the University of Connecticut in Storrs, the University of Maryland, College Park, and the University of Hawaii at Manoa. The University of Mannheim cooperates with more than 15 universities universities, including the University of Alaska, Peperdine University, John Hopkins University and the Thunderbird School of Management.

"Clinton, "Obama," and

"McCain" in TV live-debate in

Ingelheim

June 2-4, 2008. As part of its “MeetUS”-school outreach program, the U.S. Consulate

General Frankfurt organized three half-day seminars on “The U.S. Election System and the 2008 Elections” for 61 11th graders from the Sebastian-Münster-Gymnasium Ingelheim, the Elisabeth-Langässer-Gymnasium Alzey and the Lina-Hilger-Gymnasium Bad Kreuznach at the Fridtjof-Nansen Academy in Ingelheim. Volunteer Katherine Henly and consular intern Barry Post engaged the students in a four-hour interactive program which they concluded by presenting the accompanying teachers with an extensive collection of information material put together by the IRC. (More)

Martin Luther King's Life and

Works Honored in Frankfurt

June 1, 2008. On a bright and warm Sunday afternoon, Public Affairs Officer James Seward talked about Dr. Martin Luther King's surpassing significance to America and Americans at the opening of a photo exhibition and week-long Culture Week dedicated to Dr. King. The event, called "He Fought for Tolerance: We are on our way there", took place at

Frankfurt's Martin Luther King Park on June 1. The park has a special connection with the slain civil-rights leader; in the months immediately following the civil rights leader's assassination, U.S. military personnel volunteered their time and labor to build this beautiful park right in the middle of Frankfurt's Nordweststadt. Representatives of the sponsors of the week-long event, including the City of Frankfurt, the local church community, and the many participating private groups took part in the opening festivities. The Martin Luther Gospel Choir of the Atterberry Chapel sang lively ol'-time Gospel favorites, to the excited delight of the visitors.

USCIS naturalizes first military spouse overseas in Frankfurt May 29, 2008. The spouse of

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a member of the U.S. military became a citizen of the United States at the first overseas naturalization ceremony of its kind on May 29 at the U.S. Consulate in Frankfurt, Germany. This honor is especially

significant because May is Military Spouse Appreciation Month. Jonathan Scharfen, Acting Director, USCIS, and Richard Aker, Principle Deputy Officer of the Frankfurt Consulate, greeted twenty-five new U.S. citizens and were the first to congratulate them. Those being honored in the ceremony were born in American Samoa, China, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Great Britain, Grenada, Haiti, Hungary, Israel, Jamaica, Liberia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Philippines, Russia, and Togo.

Visa and EducationUSA Infospecial at German-

American Institute Heidelberg May 29, 2008. On May 29th, the Consular Section and EducationUSA of the U.S. Consulate

General Frankfurt teamed up for an information session on exchange opportunities and visa issues at the German-American Institute in Heidelberg. 30 participants, mostly students and young professionals, used the opportunity to learn about the visa application process and have their visa questions answered. They also attended a presentation by EducationUSA on exchange opportunities with the United States, focusing on studying and interning in the U.S. Participants picked up information material on the United States, EducationUSA and services of the Consular Section and the Public Affairs Section.

Seminar on the 68'er Generations in the U.S. and

Europe

May 26-27, 2008. The U.S. Consulate and the Atlantic Academy Rheinland-Palatinate jointly

organized a two-day seminar on “The 68ers and Their Generation in the United States and Europe” at the Pfalz-Akademie in Lambrecht near

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Kaiserslautern. Participants from a wide variety of professional backgrounds tapped into the knowledge of six experts and received a wide range of information materials provided by PA’s IRC and the Atlantic Academy. The variety of perspectives and personal experiences shared by the speakers revealed the immense complexity of the 68’ movement in Gernmany and, particulalry, in the U.S. as well as their long-term legacies. Participants were especially fascinated by the eyewitness accounts of American Steven Bloom who had personally encountered Martin Luther King and Malcolm X, and of former German SDS activist Michael Vester, a major contributor, with Tom Hayden, to the 1962 Port Huron Manifesto, the American SDS founding document.

Consul Seward at opening of

Hockney exhibit at Brothers

Grimm Museum in Steinau

May 24, 2008. Consul James Seward, head of the U.S. Consulate General's Press and

Cultural Section, spoke at the opening of the exhibit of 39 etchings of the world-famous British artist David Hockney. The exhibit at the Brothers Grimm Museum in Steinau is part of the Main-Kinzig Kultursommer and supported, among others, by the U.S. Consulate General and the Frankfurt Goethe-Institute. The exhibition includes listening stations with recorded readings of the respective fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm. The German version was recorded by Wolfgang Thierse, Vice-President of the German Bundestag, the English version by Consul General Jo Ellen Powell and Professor Jules Zanger. In his remarks, Seward highlighted the German-American-British cultural inter-connections represented in the exhibit and the important role of the Grimm fairy tales in American popular culture.

Chicago political scientist at

roundtables in Wiesbaden and

Frankfurt

May 20, 2008. Charles Lipson, Professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago, participated in a working breakfast

on the U.S. elections at the Hesse State Chancellory in Wiesbaden and an expert roundtable at the Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF). Given the close relationship between the state of Hesse and the U.S. as a result of a flourishing state partnership and the imminent move of the U.S. Army European headquarters to Wiesbaden, 20 members of various departments in the State Chancellory were highly interested in being brought up to date on the key issues in the election campaign and on foreign policy implications of the possible changes in the White House and the Congress. At PRIF, the fellows enjoyed the lively discussion of the theory and practice of the Democratic Peace, their main research focus, with an expert who had recently published an important book on the issue

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Star columnist Paul Krugman

lectures to 500 guests

May 19, 2008. The world-famous American Princeton economist and New York Times star columnist Paul Krugman lectured on "After Bush - The End of the Neo-Conservatives and the Moment for the Democrats" to over 500 guests in the jam-packed big lecture hall at the German National Library in Frankfurt. The

event was jointly organized by the U.S. Consulate General, Campus Verlag and Hans-Böckler-Foundation in cooperation with the Princeton Alumni Association of Germany and the German British Society. After a critical analysis of the current American distribution of wealth and its historical and political origins as well as an assessment of the presidential elections and future perspectives, Krugman involved his large audience from government, business and culture in an extended and lively debate.

Visa explained to Heidelberg and Karlsruhe Students May 19, 2008. On May 19th, EducationUSA and a representive of the

Consular Section of the U.S. Consulate General Frankfurt visited the University of Heidelberg to brief exchange students from Heidelberg and Karlsruhe on the visa application process. 50 students who will start their academic year in the United States this fall had their questions answered. Heidelberg University cooperates with a large number of U.S. universities, including Arizona State University, California State University Sacramento and Harvard University. The University of Karlsruhe has cooperation with the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, the Oregon State University System and Yale University.

U.S. Embassy Literature Series features Annie Proulx at the

Frankfurt City Library

May 16, 2008. The U.S. Embassy Literature Series featured a reading by American author and Pulitzer Prize winner Annie Proulx at the Frankfurt city library, the U.S.

Consulate's AmericaAtYourLibrary partner, on May 16. Jörn Hasenclever, Director of the city library’s central building, welcomed the over 250 fans who had flocked to the reading. Public Affairs Officer Jim

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Seward introduced Annie Proulx and gave an overview of her works and her awards, which also included the PEN/Faulkner award that she received as the first woman and the National Book award. Her novel The Shipping News and the short story Brokeback Mountain were adapted to Golden Globe and Academy award-winning movies. On May 17th Annie Proulx went on to Heidelberg where she held a reading at the Annual Conference of the German Association for American Studies.

Consul General Powell brings America to Students in

Ludwigshafen

May 15, 2008. Consul General Jo Ellen Powell visited the Pestalozzi Hauptschule in

Ludwigshafen on May 15th. 75% of the school's 430 students have an immigrant background. The students stem from 30 different countries, including Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Columbia, Morocco, Serbia, Tunisia, and Vietnam. Director Lothar Blase welcomed the Consul General and gave her an introduction to the school. He explained the school's focus on encouraging and engaging the students and improving their self-esteem. The Pestalozzi students helped painting and decorating their school and now work on building a cafeteria. Three students from Iraq, Turkey and Morocco presented the school's initiative on racism and xenophobia to the Consul General and proudly reported that their school is free of racism. Afterwards, Consul General Powell lead a discussion about America with some 20 students from Turkey, Kosovo, Italy, Greece and Iraq. She also introduced Ambassador Timken's Windows on America program, which caused great enthusiasm among the students. They got so motivated by the possibility to visit the United States for the first time in their lives that they promised their teachers to work harder on their English from now on. Photo Gallery | (More)

Consul General Powell at opening of GAAS conference in

Heidelberg

May 15, 2008. U.S. Consul General Jo Ellen Powell joined Prof. Dr. Rüdiger Kunow, President of the German Association for American Studies (GAAS), Prof. Dr. Vera Nünning, Vice Rector for International Relations, University of Heidelberg, and Prof. Dr. Detlef Junker, Founding Director of the Heidelberg Center for American Studies, in opening the 55th annual conference of

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the German Association for American Studies on "The American Presidency and Political Leadership" taking place in Heidelberg May 15-18. In her welcoming remarks, the Consul General pointed out the peculiar challenges of the field of American Studies and emphasized the particular value of studies of American politics, history and culture conducted by scholars outside the United States who, like the GAAS members, offer a unique outside perspective and thus nicely complement the work of American academics.

Darmstadt student hear about visa applications

Visa explained to Darmstadt Students

May 14, 2008. On May 14th, EducationUSA Frankfurt/U.S. Consulate visited the Technische Universität Darmstadt Darmstadt to brief exchange students

on the visa application process. 35 students who will start studying in the United States this fall had their questions answered. The University cooperates with a large number of U.S. universities, including Virginia Tech, the University of Illinois, the State University of Buffalo, N.Y. and the University of California, Berkeley.

"Crossing Borders" in Karlsruhe

May 8, 2008. 600 high school and university students from Karlsruhe checked out opportunities to “cross borders” at an exchange fair at the

University of Applied Sciences Karlsruhe. 30 organizations presented programs and information on working and studying in European and overseas countries, including the United States, Australia and Canada. At the EducationUSA booth, about 70 students received advice on internships, studying a semester abroad, Au Pair and high school year in the United States. The American Library Karlsruhe presented their services.

America at Baden-Wuerttemberg Tag in Ulm

May 4, 2008. The U.S. Consulate General joined

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the four German-American Institutes located in Baden-Wuerttemberg (Heidelberg, Tuebingen, Freiburg, Stuttgart) at the third Baden-

Wuerttemberg Tag. The institutes and the Consulate presented their programs and services and EducationUSA Frankfurt provided information on studying and working in the United States. Hundreds of visitors checked their knowledge about America by taking a USA quiz. They also picked up information on the United States, enjoyed more than a 1000 bags of American-style salted popcorn and tried their skill at basketball. 30000 visitors enjoyed the Baden-Wuerttemberg Tag, with more than 80 exhibitors showcasing services and organizations in Baden-Wuerttemberg. Enter photogallery

Opening of the international tracing service archive to

researchers and the public

April 30, 2008. U.S. Consul General Jo Ellen Powell attended the opening ceremony of the

International Tracing Service (ITS) Archive at Bad Arolsen on April 30. The ITS Archive maintains the largest collection of documents on victims of Nazi persecutions and the Holocaust worldwide. More than 50 million records containing information on over 17.5 million people will be available for historical research and the general public for the first time. Until now, the International Tracing Service provided information only for victims and family members. In an effort to improve access to the archival materials and to ensure that future generations may use the documents, the Archive is currently digitizing its records. The ITS operates under the auspices of the eleven member states of the International Commission for the International Tracing Service (Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, United Kingdom, USA), as established in the Bonn Agreements of 1955 and the amendment protocols of 2006. Each of the signatory states will receive digital copies of the materials; in the United States, the Holocaust Museum will be the

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clearinghouse for the Archive materials. The Holocaust Museum provided a grant of $250,000 to the ITS archive.

Let’s Go USA - Stuttgart and Reutlingen Students Learn

About Exchange Opportunities

April 29, 2008. Students attended events in Stuttgart and Reutlingen yesterday and used the opportunity to discuss exchange

opportunites with the United States. The German-American Institute Stuttgart and EducationUSA Frankfurt distributed information on their activites at a youth exchange fair in the city hall. In the evening, a two-hour information session by EducationUSA Frankfurt was held at the labor exchange in Reutlingen. The event was organized by the German-American Institute Tübingen. At both events, students picked up information on the activities of the German-American Institutes, the U.S. Consulate General and the services offered by EducationUSA. About 50 students received individual advise, with the majority asking about studying in the United States, internships and Au Pair.

"MeetUS" school outreach at high schools in Karben and

Frankfurt

April 29 and 30, 2008. A member of the IRS at the U.S. Consulate General, and volunteer Katherine Henly offered workshops

on “The U.S. Election System and the 2008 Elections” to sixty-five 13th graders at the Kurt Schumacher-Gymnasium in Karben and the Goethe Gymnasium Frankfurt. They explained the American election system, especially the election of the presidential nominees in a unique primary and caucus system, as well as the candidates’ personal and political backgrounds and positions. They also analyzed the special dynamics of this year's campaign and offered an outlook on the further development of the campaign. During Henly’s workshop a journalist took film shots for a special 3Sat internet television feature which will be up on the 3Sat

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homepage as of May 17.

Consul General Jo Ellen Powell greets the participants

J-1 Visa Information Session at the U.S.

Consulate General

Frankfurt April 24, 2008. Consul General Jo Ellen Powell greeted 70 participants at the third J-1 exchange

visa information session held at the U.S. Consulate General Frankfurt on April 24. In her welcome remarks she emphasized the importance of exchanges for the United States and thanked the participants for their efforts. Representatives of about 70 German exchange organizations and international offices of universities received information on American Citizen Services and new developments in regard to J-1 visa applications. A highlight was the digital video conference with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) in Washington D.C. Participants used the event to receive answers to numerous questions. With more the 8,000 students attending high school, and 8,000 university students studying in the United States each year, Germany is one of the leading sending countries world-wide.

Earth Day celebration at Frankfurt Chamber of Industry

and Commerce

April 22, 2008. The U.S. Consulate General, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the German Committee of

Earth Day International joined forces again in organizing the celebration of Earth Day 2008 at the IHK Frankfurt. Prof. Dr. Christian Schönwiese, an internationally renowned climate expert at Frankfurt University and collaborator of the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), und John Morrill, Energy Director of the Department of Environmental Services in Arlington County, Virginia, discussed the topic of "Taking Climate Protection Into Our Own Hands: Successes of New Grassroots Movements" with representatives of environmental organizations, private businesses, academia and the media.

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Schönwiese explained the past, current and future impact of climate change on local and regional levels based on the most recent scientific research. Morrill explained the impressive success of local and regional initiatives in the United States in their efforts to achieve and even surpass Kyoto Protocol targets. Using Arlington County as a case study, he demonstrated how a new public environmental awareness had facilitated a fruitful cooperation between county and city governments, private companies and NGOs. He pointed out that the quantifiable successes had received wide attention in the media (Washington Post) and politics leading to a cascade of neighboring counties and even whole states following Arlington County's example.

U.S. and EU team up at Mannheim City Library

April 18, 2008. On April 18, EducationUSA Franfurt, Eurodesk Germany and the International Placement Service of the Labor Exchange held a Friday afternoon information session at the City Library Mannheim on studying and working in the United States and the European Union. 30 students and parents used the opportunity to pick up information material, listen to presentations and receive advice. Topics ranged from how to organize a stay as an Au Pair, internships, and studying and working in the United States. Library Director Lutz Jahre welcomed the students to the City Library and spoke about the importance of spending time in another country. Results: The event furthered the cooperation between the Consulate, the advising services and the city library. Students were supported in their wish to go abroad.

U.S. expert analyzes role of

economy in U.S. elections

April 15, 2008. The U.S. Consulate General and the American-German Business Club Karlsruhe jointly organized a luncheon lecture by the economist Howard Rosen, resident visiting fellow at the renowned Peterson Institute for

International Economics in Washington, D.C., on "The 2008 U.S. Elections: Is It ‘The Economy, Stupid!’ Again?” at the restaurant “Erbprinz” in Ettlingen near Karlsruhe. As Rosen was able to present results of his own original research, representatives of international companies from the Nord-Baden region doing business with the United States received many new insights into the interplay between presidential elections and the economy, a connection directly affecting their professional activities. The guests also received comprehensive topical information material provided by the consulate's Information Resource Center.

USA Booth draws crowd at "Horizon" in Friedrichhafen April 12/13, 2008.

Information on exchange

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opportunities with the U.S. was in great demand at the two day career fair Horizon in Friedrichshafen. Hundreds of high school and university students visited

the booth shared by EducationUSA Frankfurt and the German-American Institute Tübingen. They picked up information on the activities of the German-American Institute and the services offered by EducationUSA. The CD-ROM "About the USA" and information on the services of the U.S. Consulate General Frankfurt were also popular. Close to 200 received individual advise, with the majority asking about studying in the United States, internships and Au Pair. Presentations on these topics were attended by about 30 person each. A total of 4300 students visited the Horizon.

German Minister of Defense

and U.S. Ambassador Visit

Landstuhl Regional Medical

Center

April 11, 2008. U.S. Ambassador William R. Timken, Jr. and German Minister of Defense Dr. Franz Josef Jung visited the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center on April 11. For Defense Minister Jung it was the first visit to the

largest American hospital outside the United States. Landstuhl Regional Medical Center provides care for military personnel and their families within European Command, and is also the evacuation and treatment center for all injured U.S. service members and contractors as well as for members of the coalition forces stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan. The following day, Ambassador Timken and his wife Sue visited the German Cancer Research Institute in Heidelberg.

Consul General Powell

Congratulates New U.S.

Citizens at Naturalization

Ceremony in Stuttgart

April 9, 2008. The U.S. Consulate General in Frankfurt organized a naturalization ceremony at the U.S. Army Garrison in Stuttgart on

April 9. 11 armed forces service members took the oath of allegiance and became U.S. citizens during a special overseas military naturalization ceremony. On February 6, 2008, the Consulate swore in 13 new citizens in Vilseck; similar ceremonies have also taken place in the past in Heidelberg and Kaiserslautern. In 2007, 148 service members were naturalized at events organized by the Consulate. Consul General Jo Ellen Powell said at the ceremony in Stuttgart that U.S. citizenship was the greatest benefit that this country had to give and we

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are honored to have the ability to recognize service to our country in this way. Major General William D. Catto, Chief of Staff at the Headquarters of the United States European Command in Stuttgart, presided over the ceremony for the service members, their families and friends.

Briefing on U.S. foreign policy at Mannheim Bundeswehr

Academy

April 8, 2008. U.S. foreign policy expert Andrew Denison, Director of Transtlantic Networks in Königswinter, gave a lecture on “U.S. Security Policy at the Beginning of the 21st Century” at a

seminar at the Bundesakademie für Wehrverwaltung und Wehrtechnik in Mannheim on April 8. Arranged by PA Frankfurt, the lecture was part of a week-long seminar on “The Basic Principles and Developments of Security Policy” conducted by the Academy which trains the civilian branch of the German Bundeswehr. The purpose of this intensive orientation seminar was to prepare civilian experts of the Bundeswehr for NATO missions abroad which will involve liaison and cooperation with U.S. military forces. Denison contributed to a well-rounded preparation by providing an overview of U.S. security and foreign policy, transatlantic security cooperation and a big picture of security challenges faced by the U.S. and Europe.

Mainz Celebrates German-American Friendship

April 6, 2008. The city of Mainz hosted its fourth colorful festival celebrating German American friendship on April 6, following up on previous years' successful

events that started after President Bush's visit to the city in 2005. Along with thousands of visitors, Lord Mayor Jens Beutel and Deputy Principal Officer Richard Aker underscored the importance of German-American friendship on a person-to-person level. "Since these festivals bring together Germans and Americans, they are in the truest and best sense bridge building." As guest of honor at the opening ceremony, Deputy Principal Officer Aker talked about his personal

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connection to Mainz and Rhineland-Palatinate, which he has visited several times in previous years. He commended the University of Mainz on their excellent American Studies department and mentioned its exchange program with the United States. Photo gallery (More)

Consul General jo Ellen Powell visits Ulm

April 3, 2008. On April 3, Consul General Jo Ellen Powell was in Ulm for a courtesy call on Lord Mayor Ivo Gönner. Before

the meeting with the Lord Mayor, Consul General Powell met the editorial board of Südwest-Presse, one of the most important regional daily newspapers in Germany, with a circulation of 325,000. Their discussion focused on a wide range of U.S. foreign policy and domestic issues. Foreign policy topics included the U.S. position on NATO enlargement, the NATO Summit in Bucharest, the War on Terror, and the U.S. strategy to establish stable and democratic governments in Iraq and Afghanistan. US domestic topics covered in the extensive discussion were the subprime crisis in the United States, the fall of the dollar against the Euro and the presidential election campaign. The discussion concluded with an on-the-record interview that was published on April 5, 2008.

Visa Briefing at University of Applied Sciences Darmstadt

April 3, 2008. On April 3rd, EducationUSA Frankfurt/U.S. Consulate visited the University of Applied Sciences in Darmstadt to

talk about exchange opportunities with the United States and to explain the visa application process. 10 professors who advise students in their departments about study and intern opportunities in the U.S. attended a special briefing and had their questions answered. 25 students enjoyed a second information session. Following an overview, 12 students who will attend a partner university in the U.S. or do an internship later this year had the visa application process and the forms explained to them.

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Consul General Powell Joins Interfaith and Intercultural

Women's Network in Frankfurt

April 2, 2008. The third meeting of the Interfaith and Intercultural Women's

Network Frankfurt was hosted by the Jewish Community and attended by some 40 women from various religious, cultural and occupational backgrounds, among them Consul General Jo Ellen Powell. After Jewish, Christian and Muslim prayers, members of the Jewish Community in Frankfurt introduced their activities with regard to interreligious and intercultural dialogue. Afterwards the group discussed future activities and how to translate the tremendous and diverse expertise of the participating women into action. The next roundtable will take place in June. The dialogue was started in November at Merquez Mosque. Photo gallery

U.S. Expert Analyzes Role of

Economy in 2008 Elections

March 31, 2008. James W. Seward, head of the U.S. Consulate's press and cultural section, hosted a luncheon in honor of Susan Alexander,

managing director of Minerva Co., Luxembourg, at a local restaurant in Frankfurt. Ms. Alexander engaged prominent guests, among them the chief economist of Union Investment, the director of Frankfurt’s Center for Financial Studies, and ZDF’s stock exchange specialist, in an extended discussion of the role of the economy and economic policy in the 2008 U.S. elections. Later that evening she lectured on the same topic to students and faculty at the prestigious private European Business School in Oestrich-Winkel near Wiesbaden. Personally acquainted with some of the economic advisors for the Republican and Democratic candidates in the primary race, Alexander was able to offer her interlocutors special insights into the role of the state of economy in the presidential election, showing that the economy is already playing a much greater role in the campaign than foreign policy.

"The Streets of Wedding" Packs in Audiences in Frankfurt March 17+18, 2008. More than 900 spectators cheered enthusiastically at three performances of "Streets of Wedding – Das

Musical" at the English Theatre in Frankfurt on March 17 and 18. The theater was packed for all three performances, including a special matinee on March 18 for school classes from high schools in the Frankfurt region. U.S. Ambassador William R. Timken, Jr. and Sue Timken, Frankfurt

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Consul General Jo Ellen Powell, the mother and brother of the show's director Todd Fletcher, representatives of German-American Clubs and the city of Frankfurt joined the public for the evening performance March 18. Ambassador Timken and his wife Sue worked hand-in-hand on the project with Todd Fletcher's PluralArts organization and director Hilmar Pletat of the Ernst-Schering Oberschule in the Berlin district of Wedding to bring to the stage the multilingual musical production. Photogallery | Video on YouTube | (More)

Frankfurt High School Students Interested in

Studying in the United States March 18, 2008. As part of "infotage 2008", more than 70 high school

students from the Frankfurt region attended an information session on studying in the United States. EducationUSA Frankfurt gave a presentation on the U.S. higher education system, the application process, financial aid and exchange opportunities. The presentation was followed by a questions & answer session on the topic. Students picked up information material on the services of the U.S. Consulate General, EducationUSA and the Information Resource Center. "infotage", organized by the Labor Exchange, is a week long information fair at Frankfurt Universities, which provides 11th and 12th graders with the opportunity to experience college life, listen to lectures and visit the campuses.

DPO Richard Aker new Board member of GAI Tübingen

March 5, 2008. As the new member of the board of the German-American

Society Tübingen representing the Consulate General, Deputy Principal Officer Richard Aker visited the German-American Institute in Tübingen. After meeting the other Board members, Aker attended the membership meeting of the Society. Aker addressed the participating members and thanked them and the GAI board and staff for the excellent work they do for the German-American friendship. He also thanked leaving board president Rolf-

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Christian Schiller, who is leaving his post after retiring as Deputy District President of Tübingen. The evening sounded out with songs by Marilyn Monroe presented by actress and singer Sylvia Schäfler to close the exhibit "American Stars: Hollywood and the Fifties".

Freiburg opens a "Window on America"

February 28, 2008. Consul General Jo Ellen Powell traveled to Freiburg to introduce the "Windows on America" program at the Emil-Gött-Schule to students and their

parents on February 28. The Emil-Gött-Schule was selected by the U.S. Embassy to participate in the program that provides exchange opportunities for students of immigrant backgrounds who have been underrepresented in traditional exchange programs between the United States and Germany. School director Luise Blanken opened the evening and thanked the U.S. Consulate on behalf of her students. Consul General Powell explained the details of the program and emphasized how pleased she was about the students' interest in the United States, developed through their work with American dancers the year before when the school participated in the Dancing to Connect program. Freiburg Lord Mayor Dr. Dieter Salomon encouraged the students to look beyond stereotypes and form their own opinion about the U.S. based on their experiences. He shared some of his own impressions from his U.S. government-sponsored trip to the states a few years ago. Angela Berg of Experiment e.V. , whose sister organization World Learning puts together the program in the United States, spoke about their role in organizing pre-departure briefings as well as the program in the U.S. and the stays in the host families. Photo Gallery | (More)

U.S. Vice Consul Mike

Fitzpatrick Illustrates

Immigration Law

February 26, 2008. Vice consul Mike Fitzpatrick and Swiss Consul General Julius F. Anderegg presented first-hand information

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on immigration law at a reception of the Steuben-Schurz-Society on February 26. Among the audience were representatives of other consulates in Frankfurt. Both Fitzpatrick and Anderegg explained that immigration regulations in the U.S. and Switzerland particularly encourage

highly-qualified applicants. Quoting from statistics of the European Union, Steuben-Schurz-Society President Dr. Ingrid Gräfin zu Solms-Wildenfels added that 85% of immigrants to the U.S. are highly-qualified, whereas the same percentage of immigrants to Germany have only a low qualification. Vice consul Fitzpatrick pointed out that the Green Card Lottery policy ensures that the number of applicants with certain nationalities is balanced. He was pleased to say that the usually well-trained German applicants have a good chance to be among the nearly 100,000 winners who are allowed to apply for permanent visas. Consul General Mr Anderegg stressed that it is the good working conditions that draw people to Switzerland and not necessecarity low taxation. In his introductory presentation, lawyer Dr. Mike Rinker gave the audience an overview of the difficult German regulations. A reform of German immigration law will help to ensure that highly-qualified applicants have a better chance of getting German residence permits.

Sofi Žesmer Exhibit Openend

in Wiesbaden

February 24, 2008. An exhibition of uniquely colorful and unusual art opened on February 24 at Museum Wiesbaden, featuring works by the internationally

renowned U.S. artist Sofi Žesmer, who was born in Poland and now lives in Wiesbaden. Sofie Žesmer's works "inspire the imagination; they are just plain fun while at the same time instilling reflection about the traditional categories that art is usually put into," as James Seward, Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Consulate General Frankfurt, said in his opening remarks. Museum Director Dr. Volker Rattemeyer pointed out that "REM-Phase" features works by Sofi Žesmer from the past four years and is an example of Museum Wiesbaden's focus on providing a platform for contemporary artists who are usually exhibiting their works in commercial galleries or art associations. Deputy Director of the Museum and curator of the exhibit, Dr. Renate Petzinger, introduced the over 300 guests of the opening to Sophie Žesmer's art works. The exhibit will remain at Museum Wiesbaden until May 25. There will be a talk with the artist on Thursday, April 17 at 18:00 at Museum Wiesbaden. Museum Wiesbaden is also currently showing works of U.S. artist Robert Indiana until May 18.

Advising Advisers - USA Briefing for German Labor

Exchange Experts February 20, 2008. Twenty advisers from the German Labor Exchange enjoyed a

four-hour information session on exchange opportunities with the United States. The participants from offices of the International Placement Services inform, advise and place

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anybody with an academic degree. During the session at the labor exchange Frankfurt, EducationUSA Frankfurt provided an overview of possibilities, ranging from a high school year abroad to working as an Au Pair and studying at the undergraduate and graduate level. The advisers from all over Germany, including Bremen, Magdeburg, Dresden, Stuttgart, Nürnberg and Hamburg and Frankfurt, had their questions answered and received information on EducationUSA Germany, copies of the "If You Want to Study in the U.S." guides and the e-journal "College & University Education in the United States".

Opening a Music Window to

America

February 19, 2008. At Hauptschule Innenstadt Tübingen, Consul General Jo Ellen Powell

introduced the "Windows on America" program to members of the school band and their parents. Hauptschule Innenstadt was selected by the U.S. Embassy to participate in the program initiated in 2006 by Ambassador William R. Timken Jr. and his wife Sue Timken. "Windows on America" is a public-private partnership that provides opportunities for students of immigrant backgrounds who have been underrepresented in traditional exchange programs between the United States and Germany. The students travel to the United States for a ten-day trip, visiting American cities such as New York, Washington, DC, and Charlotte, North Carolina. While on their trip, the students are exposed to all aspects of American culture, school, and life by visiting American museums and monuments, touring American high schools, and participating in home stays with American families. (More)

"MeetUS" School Outreach at

Bad Homburg's Kaiserin-

Friedrich-Gymnasium

February 18 and 19, 2008. Katherine Henly, a young volunteer engaged in the U.S. Consulate General's school

outreach program "MeetUS," offered workshops on "The American Dream" and on "The United States - A Country of Immigrants" to 4 classes of 13th graders at the Kaiserin-Friedrich-Gymnasium in Bad Homburg. Henly explained the historical, philosophical, religious and political origins and bases of the American Dream and pointed to alternative concepts and challenges to the American Dream during the course of American history. She also discussed the role of the American Dream in the history of immigration to the United States and encouraged students with an immigrant background to share their own experiences. The question whether the American Dream was just an American dream or perhaps their own personal dream, or a European, or a universal dream triggered a long and lively debate. Provided by the consulate's

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Information Resource Center, Ms. Henly presented the hosting teachers with a large collection of literature and materials on the discussion topics and on the U.S. in general.

Bad Hersfeld High School Students Check Out U.S.

Exchange Opportunities

February 15, 2008. On Friday, February 15th, students from the Bad Hersfeld region attended the

career fair "AusBildungsMesse". Many of the visitors were interested in studying and working abroad and used the opportunity to check out exchange opportunities with the United States and European countries. At the booth of EducationUSA, about 100 students discussed attending high school in the U.S. or working as an Au Pair. They picked up information materials on exchange opportunities and the United States, including the CD ROM "About the USA". Teachers were interested in the "Meet US" program and the Newsletter for English Teachers.

Consul General Powell at

AmCham panel discussion on U.

S. elections

February 13, 2008. U.S. Consul General Jo Ellen Powell joined Dr. Lutz Raettig, Chairman of the

Supervisory Board of Morgan Stanley, and Dr. Jackson Janes, Executive Director of the American Institute for Contemporary German Studies at the Johns Hopkins University in Washington, in a panel discussion on "What drives the US Election 2008? Trends, Tendencies and Outlooks on German-American Ties" hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce at the studio of Hessischer Rundfunk in the Maintower in Frankfurt. Moderated by Serge Schmemann, editor of the International Herald Tribune's editorial page, the discussion attracted over 60 influential representatives of business, government and the media. The panelists shared their thoughts on the primary elections and the possible impact of the election of any one of the candidates on U.S. foreign policy in general and German-American relations in particular.

Koblenz Public Library Hosts the U.S. - Infosession Draws a

Crowd February 13, 2008. On February 13th, EducationUSA Frankfurt held an evening

information session on studying and working in the United States at the public library in Koblenz. The event, organized by the German-American

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Club Koblenz and the Koblenz - Austin, TX, partnership association, drew a young audience of 50. The presentation on exchange opportunities with the United States was followed by a questions & answer session on topics ranging from organizing a high school year abroad, working as an Au Pair, visa regulations to attending college in the U.S. Afterwards, participants used the opportunity to discuss their specific plans. The audience picked up information material on the United States, EducationUSA and services of the Information Resource Center Frankfurt. This was the third time the information session was offered at the City library, and several publications were added to previous donations of books on the United States.

Consul General Powell

discusses U.S. Elections at

AGBC luncheon

February 12, 2008. U.S. Consul General Jo Ellen Powell provided an overview of the U.S. election system and the 2008 elections to

a group of 70 business leaders, journalists, and academics at a luncheon hosted by the American German Business Club Frankfurt on February 12. In her remarks Powell explained why this year’s election had attracted more than the usual attention, how the primary elections and caucuses had become the main mechanism for voters selecting the candidates for president, and how the internet is changing the dynamics of election campaigning. The lively discussion following the Consul General's remarks indicated the huge interest in this year’s elections in Germany.

"MeetUS" School Outreach at

Bad Homburg's Kaiserin-

Friedrich-Gymnasium

February 11, 2008. Consul Andrew Parker, head of the consular section at the U.S. Consulate General Frankfurt, offered a workshop on “The U.S.

Election System and the 2008 Elections” to twenty 13th graders at the Kaiserin-Friedrich-Gymnasium in Bad Homburg. Parker explained the way the United States chooses the presidential nominees in a unique primary and caucus system, described the candidates’ personal and political backgrounds and the dominant issues and analyzed the current status and further development of the campaign. Following the talk, Mr. Parker presented the hosting teacher, Ms. Vogt, with information materials on the U.S. elections, provided by the Consulate's Information Resource Center.

U.S. Embassy Literature Series features Matt Ruff at the

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English Theatre Frankfurt

February 6, 2008. The U.S. Embassy Literature Series in cooperation with the Carl Hanser Verlag featured a reading by American author Matt Ruff at the English

Theatre Frankfurt on February 6. Daniel Nicolai, Artistic and Executive Director of the English Theatre, welcomed the over eighty fans and highlighted the American focus in the current theatre season. Public Affairs Officer Jim Seward introduced Matt Ruff and gave an overview of his works, before the writer read from his latest novel "Bad Monkeys" that has just been published in German by Carl Hanser Verlag. Dr. Anna Leube of Hanser Verlag moderated the lively Q&A session after the reading. Afterwards Matt Ruff stayed for over an hour to sign his books. Photo Gallery

Consul General Powell and City Treasurer Uwe Becker

promote UnderstandinG

February 1, 2008. U.S. Consul General Jo Ellen Powell and Frankfurt City Treasurer Uwe Becker

joined together to promote German-American friendship through the UnderstandinG program on February 1. This year, the focus will be on the youth competition „Über Brücken – Überbrücken“ (Over Bridges – Bridging Over) on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Berlin airlift. "With UnderstandinG we would like to facilitate a lively cultural exchange between Americans and Germans, particularly here in the Frankfurt region. Only through people-to-people meetings can cultural appreciation for each other grow and biases be diminished," said City Treasurer Uwe Becker at a press conference announcing the competition. U.S. Consul General Jo Ellen Powell pointed out: "Many young people today have no concept of the hardship and deprivations endured by their grandparents in that postwar period. The air lift is a powerful symbol of the strong and enduring ties between the U.S. and Germany. We want to keep that spirit alive.” Frankfurt schools, American and international schools in the Rhein-Main region as well as organizations and clubs, are being called on to participate in the

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competition. (More)

"MeetUS" School Outreach at

Bad Homburg's Kaiserin-

Friedrich-Gymnasium

February 1, 2008. Matthew Westhoff, an employee with the Internal Revenue Service at the U.S. Consulate General Frankfurt, offered a workshop on “The

American Dream” to thirty 13th graders at the Kaiserin-Friedrich-Gymnasium in Bad Homburg. Mr. Westhoff explained the historical, philosophical, religious and political origins and bases of the American Dream and pointed to alternative concepts and challenges to the American Dream during the course of American history. He also involved the students in a lively discussion of the question whether or not the American Dream was perhaps their own dream, a European dream or even a universal dream. Following the talk, Mr. Westhoff presented the hosting teacher, Ms. Storck, with some literature and materials on the U.S., provided by the Consulate's Information Resource Center.

Christoph von Marschall draws

huge crowd for lecture on

Barack Obama

January 30, 2008. The U.S. Consulate General, the Hesse Center for political Education, the Center for North American Studies and the Swiss publisher Orell Füssli invited Dr. Christoph von Marschall, the U.S. correspondent of the Berlin-based daily newspaper Der Tagesspiegel, to give a lecture on "Barack Obama - The Black Kennedy" at Frankfurt

University's Campus Westend. Von Marschall had accompanied Obama during parts of his campaign for Democratic nominee for the presidential election 2008 and had just published the first biography in German of Barack Obama. Von Marschall impressed almost 250 guests with many new insights into Obama's biography, personality and political stature. An expert on the intricacies of the U.S. election system and on the changing mood of the American electorate, he also offered fascinating analyses of the status and prospects of the ongoing primaries and various scenarios for the outcome of the election campaign. (More)

U.S. Embassy Literature Series features John Haskell at the

Karlsruhe American Library

January 30, 2008. The U.S. Embassy Literature Series featured a reading by American author John Haskell, currently guest

professor and writer in residence at the University of Leipzig, at the American Library in

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Karlsruhe, the U.S. Consulate's America@yourLibrary partner, on January 30. Haskell was introduced by Dr. Karen Adams-Rischmann, writer herself and chairwoman of the Friends of the American Library Verein. After a dramatic reading from the novel “American Purgatorio,” John Haskell engaged in a lively discussion with an enthusiastic audience that made him read a short story of his first book "I am not Jackson Pollock", as well. Haskell’s reading is part of a series of literature programs for 2008, which celebrate the opening of the new U.S. Embassy in Berlin. (More)

Standing room only - USA Info draws a crowd in Darmstadt

January 29, 2008. On the first day of the three-day career fair HOBIT, more than 400 high school students received information on

studying and interning in the United States. The university and career information fair for 11th and 12th graders is organized by Darmstadt universities and the Labor Exchange. During the day, EducationUSA Frankfurt talked to about 150 students who came to the booth. The students asked out exchange opportunities, picked up information material on EducationUSA and the U.S. Consulate General Frankfurt, announcments of upcoming events and visa information. An afternoon presentation on studying and working in the United State drew 250 students and parents. The presentation was followed by a Q&A session.

Seminar on Campaigning

Draws Activists of Political

Parties

January 25 and 26, 2008. The U.S. Consulate General Frankfurt and the Atlantic Academy

Rhineland-Palatinate organized a two-day seminar on “Winning at All Cost? Political Campaigning in the United States and Germany” at the Erbacher Hof in Mainz. The seminar drew many young activists from the CDU, SPD, FDP and Bündnis 90/Die Grünen, as well as print and TV journalists. American journalist Jerry Hagstrom of the National Journal, American campaign consultant Daniel Gotoff of Lake Research Partners in Washington, and five German campaign consultants and academics formed a formidable group of experts for the over 35 participants from Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, Lower Saxony and Northrhine-Westfalia. (More)

U.S. Campaign Consultant

Enganges Students On

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Campaining

January 23 and 24, 2008. Two groups of approximately 25 political science students each from Heidelberg and Frankfurt University visited the U.S. Consulate General. After a briefing on the functions of the consulate by IRC staffer Nicole Fries, Daniel Gotoff, a political campaign

consultant with Lake Research Partners in Washington, D.C., gave a lecture on “The Business of Modern Campaign Consulting and the 2008 U.S. Elections" followed by intensive discussion. Watching the U.S. primary elections and the Hesse and Lower Saxony state elections, the students received a hands-on, insider’s perspective of modern political campaigning which nicely complemented their knowledge of political theory.

Consul General Powell and Mrs. Timken attend interfaith

and intercultural women's

network in Frankfurt January 22, 2008. The second meeting of the Interfaith

and Intercultural Women's Network Frankfurt was hosted by Evangelisches Frauenbegegnungszentrum (EVA) and attended by ca. 40 women from various religious, cultural and occupational backgrounds, among them Consul General Jo Ellen Powell and Mrs. Sue Timken. After Jewish, Christian and Muslim peace prayers, members of the Catholic and Protestant church introduced their activities with regard to interreligious and intercultural dialogue. Afterwards the group discussed future activities and how to translate the tremendous and diverse expertise of the participating women into action. The next roundtable will take place at the Jewish Community in April. The dialogue was started in November at Merquez Mosque.

"What a Difference a Trip Makes!" Alumni Talk to Library

Community and University

Students

January 22, 2008. The U.S. Consulate General in Frankfurt arranged a

discussion for two alumni of a state department exchange program and professors and students of library science at the media university in Stuttgart as well as invited librarians from the region on January 22. Dr. Sabine Homilius, Director of the Frankfurt city library, and Katinka Emminger of the Stuttgart city library gave a lively and enthusiastic report on their

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experiences at American libraries during their respective programs in the summer of 2007. Both praised the high degree of volunteerism at American libraries as well as their services for minority groups like immigrants and the disabled. They also shared insights about latest technological concepts in the states like social computing. The audience was impressed by the active role American librarians play as mediators between the government and the citizens and by their prominent place in every community. The idea of engaging local politicians and other distinctive community members in lobbying for libraries was inspiring to many. (More)

Let’s go USA! EducationUSA and Visa Information Session

at German-American Institute

Tübingen

January 22, 2008. Three hours weren’t enough for

all the questions the 50 information seekers who attended an EducationUSA and visa information session at the German-American Institute in Tübingen. The mostly young visitors from the Tübingen region asked about a wide variety of topics, ranging from privately organized stays at U.S. high schools to internships and from the Green Card lottery to intercompany transfers. Following an hour-long group advising session in the library of the GAI, EducationUSA Frankfurt transferred to a larger room to talk about various exchange opportunities with the United States, including studying at U.S. colleges, and answered questions posed during the presentation. Afterwards, two more hours were spent on individual advising sessions.

Exhibition of Pop Artist Robert

Indiana opened in Wiesbaden

January 20, 2008. Consul General Jo Ellen Powell opened together with Hessen Minister for Research and the Arts, Udo Corts, and Museum Director Dr. Volker Rattemeyer a unique show of

works by U.S. pop artist Robert Indiana at Museum Wiesbaden. The focus of the exhibition is on Indiana's work of the 1960s through the 1980s. Indiana, who is also known as the "American painter of signs" is best known for his "LOVE" theme, which is shown in the exhibit in various forms, one being in Hebrew. For the first time in Europe, Museum Wiesbaden is able to show Indiana's complete ensemble "Numbers", 10 sculptures

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showing the numbers 0-9 with a height of about two meters. The ensemble stands at the center of the show. At the opening, Consul General Powell conveyed best wishes from Ambassador William R. Timken Jr. who serves as patron of the exhibition and congratulated the Museum for presenting the works of this influential figure in American arts. The exhibition will be shown until May 18, 2008. (More) | Photogallery

Consul General Powell Meets

The Wizard Of Oz

January 19, 2008. At the invitation of Dr. Kastening and his wife Astrid, Consul General Jo Ellen Powell visited the English Theatre Frankfurt to enjoy the

musical "The Wizard of Oz" on January 19th. Some 40 young actors, mostly from the Frankfurt International School (FIS), performed in the play under the direction of Ms. Sheelagh Maythem, Director of Theatre Unlimited. Dr. Kastening, who grew up in Berlin after WWII and received his first chocolate bar from an American soldier, also invited children of American military families to the premiere of "The Wizard of Oz" as a belated thank-you. Wizard of Oz is one of the best-known stories in American popular culture. (More) | Photo Gallery | More about "The Wizard of Oz"

Kick-Off for Black History Month January 8, 2008. American artist Paula Ross, who is currently working and living in Berlin, was sponsored by the Consulate General in Frankfurt to present a

workshop at Johann-Wolfgang Goethe University as part of the "Schnittstellen" workshop series by the English and American Studies Department. Ms. Ross provided a fascinating glimpse of the topic: “We Landed on American Shores: Who and What was There to Meet us: An Overview of Visual Culture and Ethnicity.” Her presentation incorporated an examination of identity and power through an analysis of the portrayal of African Americans and Native Americans in art work. Ms. Ross’s presentation was well-received by a group of about 40 professors, teachers, and students who returned early from school holidays to catch the presentation. The event kicked off African-American History Month which starts in February.

Carl-Schurz-Haus Freiburg Hosts Thanksgiving Dinner

December 4, 2008. The Carl-

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Schurz-Haus hosted its annual Thanksgiving Dinner at the traditional restaurant Greiffenegg-Schlössle in Freiburg. Deputy Consul General Doria Rosen represented the U.S. Consulate General Frankfurt at an event which not only featured a typical American turkey dinner, but also a keynote lecture by Dr. Edwina Campbell, a former Fulbright exchange student in Freiburg and

presently a Professor of National Security Studies at the Air Command and Staff College/DEI Air University in Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. In her lecture to over 40 representatives of the regional German-American community, she emphasized the need to use new opportunities of German-American cooperation while finding the right balance of soft and hard power in the international security engagement on both sides of the Atlantic. The following long and intense discussion was moderated by Deputy Chief Editor Thomas Fricker of the Badische Zeitung.

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