Embassy of the United States

Ambassador

Remarks at the American Spirit Celebration

Ministers, Excellencies, my colleagues and friends.

It is my privilege and my honor this evening to welcome you to Rydhave and “American Spirit 2006”

It is our tradition on such occasions to commence with a presentation of America’s Colors. “Please rise as the United States Marine Corp, Battalion Copenhagen presents America’s Colors”. [Presentation of Colors].

Tonight we gather for three reasons. The first, and the most significant, is to celebrate the founding of America....The only country founded on the basis of an idea: “that all people are, and of right, ought to be, free.” Since the declaration of that idea 230 years ago, generations of Americans have demonstrated their willingness to “unleash the hope of freedom” for people in every corner of the globe. Wherever people are oppressed, wherever tyranny is present, wherever a nation’s freedom had been denied. That willingness to “unleash the hope of freedom” is the essence of American Spirit. With that spirit in mind, I ask that you rise for the singing of America’s National Anthem. [National Anthem: retiring of the colors]

The second reason we gather this evening to honor the Kingdom of Denmark and the broad and special relationship that America has with this remarkable country. I witnessed this remarkable relationship a few weeks ago at Camp David, that exclusive retreat reserved for America’s Presidents and the President’s closest friends. At that significant occasion I heard our President express his admiration and gratitude for this country that has refused to allow sacked embassies, burned flags, Prime Ministers hung in effigy, and threatened diplomats to deter its leadership in parts of the world where people yearn for freedom, for relief from suffering, and for human rights. So we pay tribute tonight to our staunch allies and friends here in the Kingdom of Denmark.

The third reason we gather is to celebrate one of humanities most unique tools to reach out across barriers of race, ethnicity, gender, culture and religion. That tool, as you can tell from the activities, banners, and athletes surrounding you this evening, is sports.

I have witnessed the power of “the ball” to bring people together. With my background in professional sports in America, I have seen, in the neighborhoods of Durham, Detroit, and Washington, and while here in Gellerup, Ishøj and Nørrebro, the power of “the ball.” I saw it this morning when over 120 Danish children, half from ethnic Muslim background and half from traditional Danish background, gathered together around the sports activities here on this lawn and the athletes who came to demonstrate them.

Sports have a unique ability to nurture attitudes of tolerance, inclusion, teamwork, compassion and the rule of law. In essence, the values of democracy.

As we seek to deter those who desire a “clash of civilization” and to eliminate the causes of hatred and anger that lead to extremism and terror, sports will be our fervent all.

Tonight we launch a new initiative to use sports to bridge civilizations. Starting in Copenhagen, continuing through Europe, the Middle East and beyond.

This initiative, and this evening, could not be successful if it were not for the assistance two groups.

First, I want to thank the American sports leagues and athletes who have joined in partnership to make this initiative successful. The National Football League, the National Basketball League, the National Hockey League, the Women’s Tennis Association, and the Ladies Professional Golf Association. The Commissioners of each of these leagues have personally committed to this effort, you will see their letters in this evening’s program, and I greatly appreciate their enthusiastic support.

Of course, for most fans, it all about the players, so let me introduce to you the American athletes who have joined us this evening:

In his nine years with the San Antonio Spurs, our first guest won the scoring championship four times. Only Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan have topped his record. He was honored as a member of the All NBA first team five years in a row. He was a nine time NBA All Star, elected to the NBA All Star Hall of Fame, and is known for his “silky smooth shot”. Please welcome one of the greatest players to play in NBA history: George “Iceman” Gervin.

One of the great stories of determination in American athletic history, in 1987 our next guest, as a result of a car wreck; lay in a coma in a hospital for 47 hours. Nearly every bone in her face was broken, and she was told she would never play basketball again. Two years later she went on to star in the WNBA for the Connecticut Sun. She plays as an All-Star Spanish and Italian League and own a Gold medal in the 1996 Olympics as a member of the American Women’s Basketball team. Please welcome “the Diva of Determination” Carla McGhee.

As an All-Star standout for Stanford University our next guest led Stanford to a near perfect 26 and 1 season. In 2004 his talents earned him a first round draft pick of the NBA Atlanta Hawks. As a rookie he not only earned “ All NBA “ recognition for his production on the court, but he earned the coveted spot on the cover of the box of the “ESPN College Hoops for Play Station 2-2005 edition”. Please welcome, the man you most like to have on your team in any basketball game, from the Atlanta Hawks, Josh Childress.

His accomplishment off the field is as impressive as his accomplishments on the field. Through high school, college and the pros our next guest has demonstrated a commitment to giving back to his community by helping those in need through building houses for Habitat for Humanity, reading to kids at local elementary schools, as a spokesman for the Boys and Girls Clubs, Toys for Tots, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. As a tight end for the New England Patriots he led the team in receiving yards. Receptions and touchdowns and, so doing, led his team to the Super Bowl Championship in Super Bowl 39. “Check out the Super Bowl ring”. Please welcome, a man who epitomizes “American Spirit” both on and off the field – Ben Watson.

Starting his career with the University of Miami Hurricanes, our next guest was the first freshman linebacker to start for that school in a decade. While playing for Miami he became the first player in college history to win the three major awards for defensive excellence: the Butkus Award, the Nagurski trophy, and the Bednarik Award. Selected by the Carolina Panthers and in two years took that team from the worst defensive in the league to the best. Along the way, he led his team to Super Bowl 38 where he posted 25 tackles in the game and earned the starting linebacker slot in the 2005 Pro Bowl. Please welcome from the Carolina Panthers, the “Doctor of Defense” Dan Morgan.

We are delighted to have strong partnership with the Ladies Professional Golf Association. Our next guest was so successful on the LPGA Tour that she went to work full time for the LPGA and is teaching clinics for us this evening. Please welcome from the LPGA, Mindy Moore.

We are also proud to have Mindy’s boss, one of our great partners, the Commissioner of the LPGA, Ms. Carolyn Bivins.

By far the most famous, if not the only Dane to have played in the National Football League, our final guest started his sporting life as a gymnast and a long jumper. He kicked his first American football in 1977 as an exchange student in the U.S. and proved so talented that he was given a scholarship to Michigan State University. He was named an All American in 1981 and landed a kicking job with the New Orleans Saints. Named to six Pro Bowls, he kicked 302 field goals and scored 1318 points. In 1991 he kicked a 60 yard field goal against Chicago, the third longest in league history. In 1995 playing for the Atlanta Falcons he became the first player in league history to kick three field goals of over 50 yards in a single game. Please welcome, the pride of Denmark“ Mr. Automatic” Morten Andersen.

The second group of folks I would like to thank tonight is our corporate sponsors. This event could not have happened; in fact, our sports diplomacy initiative cannot be successful without the support of our corporate sponsors. (for you Americans present, please know that no taxpayers money was used for this event this evening!)

We have over 30 sponsors for this event, whose names and brands you see on the signs around you and who are showcased in our program. There are a few that I want to specifically thank tonight. First, I would like to thank our 3 favorite hotels, the Hilton and Allan Agerholm, the Marriott and Robert Grader, the Scandic and Anders Duelund, for their incredible commitment to our themed cuisine venues tonight. Please make sure you check out the seafood at the Scandic, the Cajun theme at the Hilton and the Tex Mex at the Marriott before you leave. I would like to also thank SAS Institute for transporting our VIP athletes from America, Longistics for arranging for all the athletic equipment to arrive safely and the AmCham of Denmark and particularly Paul Coleman and Stephen Brugger for their remarkable support in ensuring the success of this event.

Finally, I would like to thank our top sponsor Callaway Golf. Callaway Golf has been an energetic supporter of our efforts to use sports as a diplomatic tool, particularly to reach out to young people. I want to thank Callaway Golf and their CEO George Fellows...for their enthusiastic support and commitment, and I ask you to please welcome on behalf of Calloway Golf, Mr. Neal Howie. [Mr. Howie speaks as well as Mr. Gervin, Ms. McGhee and Mr. Andersen speak]

Excellencies, friends, and colleagues: It is now time to conclude this portion of our program. After we conclude, I hope you will continue to enjoy the unique cuisine provided by our hotels, and try your hand at the NHL Slap Shot Machine, the NFL Quarterback Challenge, the NBA Pop-a-Shot, the Calloway Golf Simulator, or get a lesson from the WTA pro on the tennis court. In addition, be sure to stick around to 11 o’clock when we will all move to the front of the ground for the fabulous fireworks display.

But before we do, however, I want to reflect on that remarkable document issued 230 years ago by America’s founders. In proclaiming colonies to be free and independent states, the signers of the Declaration of Independence empowered future generations with the concept of Equality, Justice, Democracy, and the Right to Pursue our Happiness as we choose. This is the essence of the American Spirit. It is a spirit which has lifted generations of Americans. It represents values cherished by the citizens of the United States, of Denmark, and all of those across the world who love freedom.

I ask you to join me tonight in a toast to celebrate this American spirit on the 230th anniversary of our Independence: "TO LIFE, TO LIBERTY, AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS"

Thank you, please enjoy the rest of the evening.