It is a privilege to address such a distinguished audience of judicial and legal professionals, including Minister Zypries and Professors Miller and Zumbansen, and to celebrate with you the 10th anniversary of the German Law Journal. In the past decade the German Law Journal has played an important role in improving our understanding of German, European, and international law and jurisprudence, especially by illuminating the political, historical and cultural context in which legal decisions are made at each of those levels. I would especially like to commend the joint projects that the German Law Journal has initiated with American law students. This is a wonderful way to build links within the transatlantic legal community. And, of course, what many of my American colleagues and I find particularly helpful is that the German Law Journal is published in English!