Dear People of Berlin,

Liebe Berliner,

It is my pleasure to be with you tonight to celebrate your inauguration of "City-Hood"!

It was only 2 years ago that I congratulated you and your council being the first town in Ontario to embrace with all your wisdom and zeal our municipal power enterprise.

In only those 2 years your industries grew in leaps and bounds, thousands of people found jobs, enriched your town and made it through their goods stamped "made in Berlin" known around the world. And now elevated to "City-Hood". I’m sure Mayor Schmalz, that your city will attract more and more industries and as well more people.

Here at home you have already attained the enviable reputation of being the best town in Canada earned largely through the diversity of the manufacturing industries and the stability of its workforce, also its growth had been from within coupled with the pride of your citizens.

When I grew up in Baden where my father owned a foundry he would often tell our family that you can buy the best furniture, the best leather and much, much more of outstanding products and with a twinkle in his eye a very good schnapps too.

Now Berlin is emerging into the added prestige and larger responsibilities of City-Hood.

Let me pay you a tribute, it is owing to the city of Berlin that the water powers, including electric power of the province are publicly owned. We as a country must thank Berlin for it. Moreover, in the conduct of your public utilities you have become an object lesson for the world. But lets not forget that this district of Ontario was the adopted land of our forefathers, today it is the native land of their sons and daughters and grandchildren and generations to come.

Now at last, your honour and citizens of Berlin, your city’s success is a vindication of true citizenship in your city of Berlin and our province and country.

Good night and may God bless this city.