His Excellency Joachim Kardinal M e i s n er
Oberbürgermeister Norbert B ü r g e r,Rathaus Köln
Heinz Otto S c h m i t z - P r a n g h e,Bürgergessellschaft Köln
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The United States Museum of European Art sends oursincere congratulations to the people of the City of Köln on thehappy occasion of the unveiling of the bust of Josef KardinalFrings.
It is in the human nature that we often forget thegood deeds that others have done for us in the past, that we take forgranted their helping hands and their loving hearts.
So it is with respect and admiration that weshould express our thanks today to the "BürgergessellschaftKöln" and its chairman, Mr. Schmitz-Pranghe for their initiativeto honor the memory of Josef Kardinal Frings. In the very hard yearsshortly after the war, the Kardinal gave much moral support and hopeto the people of Köln. For this he is well remembered by manyeven to this day, and the larger-than-life bronze bust will preservefor future generations the memory of this noble and loving man ofGod, and friend of the common man.
The artist who created the larger-than-life bronzeportrait of Josef Kardinal Frings -- Kurt Arentz from Leverkusen --is no stranger in America. His decades-long engagement to supportfriendly relations between Europe and America is valued by many ofhis friends and admirers. Ronald Reagan and George Bush know him wellas the "Presidential Sculptor" and their bronze portraits from thehand of Kurt Arentz are in the collections of their PresidentialLibraries in California and Texas. As guests of President Bush, myvisit with Kurt Arentz and his wife Therese to the Grand Opening ofthe magnificent George Bush Presidential Library last November andthe presentation of the bronze portrait "First Lady Barbara Bush" byKurt Arentz will always remain for us me personally an unforgettablememory.
Ladies and gentlemen: many of you who are gatheredhere today have known Josef Kardinal Frings personally. You can bethe judge how well the artist has captured not only the physicallikeness of the man, but also his kindness, humanity, and love forhis fellow man. May the Laurentzplatz become an island of peace andtranquility, an oasis for contemplation, thanksgiving andreflection.
Let us bow our heads in the silent prayer ofpaying hommage to the memory of one of Köln's extraordinarypersonalities and favorite sons:
Respectfully Yours,
Consul B. John Zavrel
Director
Museum of European Art
Buffalo, New York
March 18, 1998
Copyright 1999 Museum of European Art