[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 137 (Wednesday, November 12, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1526]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING THE HOUSE GERMAN-AMERICAN CAUCUS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM GERLACH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 12, 2014

  Mr. GERLACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the House German-
American Caucus and the work it has done to maintain and strengthen the 
economic and cultural relationship between the United States and 
Germany.
  The German-American Caucus is an informal, bipartisan group of House 
Members that was established in 2011. The idea of the Caucus originated 
with one of my constituents in Pennsylvania's 6th District, Thomas 
Siedenbuehl, who is a native of Germany and now a proud U.S. citizen. 
Given the countless contributions that early and recent German emigres 
have made to our nation, the formation of a caucus to bridge the 
historical, cultural and economic ties of the U.S. and Germany was most 
appropriate.
  In total, over 50 million American citizens claim German ancestry. 
Additionally, Germany is not only the largest economy in the European 
Union and third largest in the world, but the largest market for U.S. 
goods in Europe, importing more than $50 billion each year. German-
owned companies are investing in America and have created approximately 
one million jobs in the U.S. Because of these strong economic and 
cultural ties, the Caucus has worked to build a closer relationship 
with our European ally to encourage further investment in America.
  In addition to the numerous roundtable discussions and dinners 
between Members of Congress and the German Bundestag, as well as with 
the German Ambassador and U.S. Ambassador to Germany, the Caucus has 
helped facilitate various other events that highlight and strengthen 
German-American ties. These include the Congress Bundestag Youth 
Exchange, the Maifest Dinner, and the annual Oktoberfest celebration. 
The Caucus also works closely with the German-American Business Council 
and its executive committee chairman, Uli Gamerdinger, who provides 
outstanding advice and support for Caucus activity.
  Mr. Speaker, in recognition of the work the Caucus has done to 
maintain and strengthen the relationship between the United States and 
Germany, and with the hope of continuing the work it has begun, I ask 
my colleagues to join me today in recognizing the efforts of the 
German-American Caucus of the United States House of Representatives.

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