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How
did
you
develop
your
strong interests in Germany?
David A. Murdoch has served as the Honorary Consul for the Federal Republic of
Germany in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, since 2002. He is a full-time professional lawyer at the world-wide firm of K&L Gates LLP, which has offices throughout
the United States as well as in Berlin, Frankfurt and elsewhere in Europe, Asia and
Latin America. For his personal engagement and his successful efforts to promote
German-American relations the Federal President has bestowed the Federal Cross
of Merit on Mr. Murdoch.
„My role is to
support the
German-American
community“
Interview with David A. Murdoch, Honorary Consul for the
Federal Republic of Germany in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
How did you become the Honorary Consul for Germany in
Pittsburgh?
I was first recommended by members
of the German-American community
in Pittsburgh, including the prior Honorary Consul. I submitted an application form to the Auswaertiges Amt.
They, in turn, obtained approval from
38 | business & diplomacy 01/2012
the US Department of State after an
FBI background check. The procedure is part of a Consular Treaty between
Germany and other countries that
governs the appointments of German
Honorary Consuls. In the US, only
American citizens or German citizens
with Green Cards (as resident aliens)
are eligible to be appointed.
I have been a life-long student of Germany. As a student at Harvard University, I studied Modern European
History with a particular focus on Germany. Under the auspices of the US
Experiment in International Living, I
lived with a German family in Mannheim during the summer of 1961 and
also traveled to Berlin in late August
of that year while the Wall was being
erected. After graduating from Harvard Law School, I served as an officer
in the United States Army in Kaiserslautern, Germany, between June 1968
and January 1971. Since 1989, I have
traveled frequently to Germany. I have
developed many relationships through
business and nonprofit organizations
including the American Council on
Germany in New York and Experiment
e.V., a student-exchange organization
headquartered in Bonn.
As Honorary Consul, how do
you contribute to fostering
American-German relations in
Pittsburgh?
My role is to support the GermanAmerican community throughout
Western Pennsylvania. I interface with
government, business, political and
community leaders on matters relating
to Germany. For example, I welcome
incoming German delegations and
speakers. I assist German immigrants,
business people and academics who
come here for short or long-term stays.
I help businesses, university leaders and
academics, German language teachers
and students, and nonprofit organizations to advance their intercultural,
economic and professional exchanges
with German leaders and organizations. I am currently helping with the
Pennsylvania Governor’s Trade Mission to Germany (Stuttgart and Dusseldorf) in March of this year. In effect, I
help Americans and Germans enhance
their mutual interests in dealing with
each other.
Is your work focused on diplomatic, political and economic
relationships between Germany and the United States?
As an Honorary Consul, I am a vo-
AMERICA
Pittsburgh Skyline | KL Gates Center in Pittsburgh | Bernhard von der Planitz,
former German Consul General in New York (left), David Murdoch (center), Frank
Schüttig, Publisher of BUSINESS & DIPLOMACY (right)
lunteer without salary. I do not do the
official work of professional diplomats
at the Auswaertiges Amt in representing Germany. My work on political
or economic matters is primarily as an
intermediary who facilitates expanded
and improved relationships between
German and American leaders and organizations.
What services do you provide
to German citizens in the Greater Pittsburgh area?
As permitted by regulations in minor
ministerial and consular matters, I assist with passport applications, authentication of legal documents, and notarization of signatures. I occasionally help
German citizens who encounter difficulties with local authorities or otherwise need help in America. Thankfully
I am not expected to provide daily help
for German tourists!
Are any of your duties ceremonial or fun for you?
The ceremonial highpoint, which was
also a great honor for me, was when
I got to support Germany’s Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Klaus
Scharioth, in welcoming Chancellor
Angela Merkel at our International
Airport when she came to Pittsburgh
for the G-20 Summit in September
2009. Another highpoint as Honorary Consul was when former Consul
General Horst Freitag presented me
with the Bundesverdienstkreuz. Those
highpoints and many other GermanAmerican events have provided great
enjoyment and wonderful memories
for me in this role.
What is your relationship with
the German Consulate General
in New York?
37 German Honorary Consuls serve
in various cities in the US (and Bermuda) under the supervision of eight
Consulate General offices located in
Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston,
Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and
San Francisco. Four of us work in Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Bermuda under the general supervision of
the German Consulate General in New
York. That office has many differing
departments for consular, legal, and
community affairs, including political
and public relations matters, economic
issues, and research and development.
As needed, an Honorary Consul can
call on any of these departments to assist in matters affecting their GermanAmerican constituencies and German
citizens within their cities and regions.
The current and recently-appointed
Consul General in New York, Herr Busso von Alvensleben, has already visited
Pittsburgh. I was able to assist him in
presenting the Bundesverdienstkreuz
to Professor Dr. Nicholas Rescher (retired) at the University of Pittsburgh.
The Head of Consular and Legal Affairs in New York, Frau Ellen Goelz, a
lawyer, recently visited Pittsburgh as
well. I first met them in New York when
they were appointed to these posts.
Do you also have a relationship with the German Embassy
in Washington, DC?
The German Embassy actively supports the German Honorary Consuls
in the United States. Most importantly,
the German Ambassadors I have met
have all been exceedingly well involved
with the work of the Honorary Consuls. We attend a biennial conference
for Honorary Consuls to learn how we
can engage the services of the Embassy
for our constituencies. Of course, the
most important work occurs when the
Ambassador or one of the Ministers at
the Embassy visits our respective cities
and engages our constituencies directly. The Embassy has also led biennial,
one-week visits to Berlin and the German States that have greatly improved
our knowledge about current developments in Germany.
Interview:
Bernhard von der Planitz,
Frank Schüttig
business & diplomacy 01/2012 | 39