Uwe Becker (l) and CG Alford (r) with winners of language course

German-American Friendship in Frankfurt
October 6, 2009. City Treasurer Uwe Becker and Consul General Ned Alford welcomed hundreds of German and American citizens on German-American Friendship Day, originally initiated by President Ronald Reagan on October 6. In the splendor of the Kaisersaal of Frankfurt’s city hall Römer, approximately 400 guests listened both Mr. Becker and CG Alford emphasize the historic and current ties between Frankfurt and the United States. Mr. Becker also introduced the 2009/10 “Understanding” competition, jointly sponsored by the city and the consulate, encouraging German and American youth to submit entries outlining what they thought was particularly German or American in the daily life of the city. Five student winners of a language course, who had participated in a contest at the September 26th "Hello World" Student Exchange Information Fair, were also awarded their prizes at the ceremony. After the welcome, guests relaxed to the sounds of U.S. Air Force Band “Touch ‘n Go.” | President Obama proclaims German-American Friendship Day 2009