Barack Obama plant einen eintägigen Besuch in Deutschland. Nur wohin? Der Pfarrer der Alten Nikolaikirche, Jeffrey Myers, hat da schon so eine Idee - und zehn gute Gründe. Sein Brief an Barack Obama erreichte auch uns. Wir dokumentieren ihn hier. Denn falls ER tatsächlich nach Frankfurt kommen sollte, dann wissen wir, wem wir es zu verdanken haben.

Frankfurt am Main, May 10, 2009

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
U.S.A.

Dear Mr. President:

As a pastor from the United States serving the 850 year-old Alte Nikolai church on Frankfurt´s market square for the past two decades, I have come to know and love Frankfurt am Main. May I respectfully suggest that you consider Frankfurt during your planned visit to Germany this summer?

Ten good reasons for including a Presidential visit to Frankfurt:

1. John F. Kennedy. There is hardly a more meaningful place in Germany to visit and in which to deliver a speech than the St. Paul´s Church, affectionately called the cradle of German democracy. It was here that President Kennedy delivered a major policy speech on June 25, 1963. A plaque commemorating the visit of the 35th President of the United States is affixed to the outside wall of the former church of our St. Paul's congregation.

2. Abraham Lincoln. President Lincoln enjoyed good relations with Frankfurt am Main, particularly with the banks, which provided important financing for the North during a critical period of the Civil War. It could even be argued that the banks of Frankfurt played a decisive role in ending the Civil War and abolishing slavery. So cordial were the 16th President's relations with the city, that he even had a number of godchildren in Frankfurt to whom he presented the so-called "Lincoln spoons". Mary Todd Lincoln lived in Frankfurt for several years with her son Tad after Lincoln's assassination.

3. Culture. Numerous intellectuals and artists, philosophers and theologians, such as Carl Schurz and Max Beckmann, Erich Fromm and Paul Tillich - all with links to Frankfurt, have deepend the rich cultural ties between Germany and the New World. Jacob Leisler, born in Frankfurt, was elected the first governor of New York. Notably, the first Bible printed in the United States was published in German, not English, with type produced in Frankfurt.

4. "Little Chicago". You won´t get homesick in Frankfurt! Indeed, our city proudly recognizes the influence of the Windy City upon its skyline and architecture. There's a terrific jazz scene, too, as well as a "Chicago Meatpackers" restaurant. And, while there are not yet any "Chicagos" in Germany, there are some 17 "Frankfurts" in the United States. (Your home state of Illinois has the most "Frankforts" - 3!)

5. Most American City. For better or worse, Frankfurt is indeed considered the most American city in Germany. Located on the banks of the Main river, it is affectionately referred to as "Mainhattan" and the "Little Apple". Some 18,000 expats live in the state of Hesse, the majority of them in the Frankfurt/Rhine-Main area.

6. Democrats Abroad. The active chapters in Germany, including the one in our Rhine-Main area, played a significant role in getting Americans abroad signed up to vote - and to make intelligent choices - last November.

7. William Penn. It was William Penn´s visit to Frankfurt that led to the arrival of the first German settlers in Pennsylvania in 1683. Penn had vigorously promoted his "Holy Experiment" to so-called "separatists" in Frankfurt during a visit in 1677. And although those sympathetic to the cause didn´t make the journey themselves, they did help purchase land in Pennsylvania - "Germantown" in Philadelphia - for the first German settlers. (Incidentally, the first protest issued against slavery in Germantown in 1688 was written in German, not English.)

8. Mark Twain. Novelist Mark Twain, whose memorable travels through Europe are recorded for posterity in "A Tramp Abroad", devotes a delightful chapter in the book to "Legends of Frankfort". Twain had strong connections to Germany. After returning once from dinner with the Emperor, his daughter, very much impressed, remarked: "Papa, pretty soon there won't be anyone left for you to meet but God!"

9. Denglisch. Communication will not be a problem here, as many people enjoy speaking "Denglisch", a popular, albeit unusual, blend of Deutsch and English. Folks on this side of the Atlantic have created some of their own "English" words, though, like "handy" (mobile phone), the meaning of which even native English speakers haven't a clue.

10. Frankfurter. The people - and the sausage. It was at the world fair in Chicago in 1893 that the tasty "Frankfurter" sausages received first prize, thus beginning their rise to world fame. Within a few years, the "Frankfurter" became a huge export item to many states in the U.S., including Illinois. And if you like the wurst in Frankfurt, you´ll love the apple wine!

Alas, whatever destinations in Germany and Europe are finally chosen for your trip this summer, please know that the prayers and good wishes of Americans living abroad, together with those of the people of Germany, are with you.

'Godspeed',
Jeffrey Myers +