Pence says Germans, Hoosiers share common goals, values

By Ally Marlow
TheStatehouseFile.com

INDIANAPOLIS – Gov. Mike Pence told an audience of business and government leaders gathered Wednesday in Berlin that the mutual values and goals of Germany and Indiana will allow an already stable relationship to keep flourishing and help everyone reach prosperity.

Gov. Mike Pence joined executives from the Jäger Group in Hanover, Germany, on Wednesday to announce the company’s plans to expand operations of its subsidiary Jaeger-Unitek Sealing Solutions in La Porte, Ind., creating up to 52 new jobs by 2016. Photo courtesy of the governor’s office.
Gov. Mike Pence joined executives from the Jäger Group in Hanover, Germany, on Wednesday to announce the company’s plans to expand operations of its subsidiary Jaeger-Unitek Sealing Solutions in La Porte, Ind., creating up to 52 new jobs by 2016. Photo courtesy of the governor’s office.
“In America we speak of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” Pence said during a trade mission stop. “In Germany it is expressed as unity, justice, and freedom.”

Pence said in prepared remarks that international trade and relations are vital to global economic success. He asked for his audience to support the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership – a proposed free trade agreement under negotiation between the European Union and United States – in order to strengthen the already strong economic bonds that American has with Europe. Pence said he believes doing so will create security and combat with Russia’s recent aggression.

“International trade is vital to our mutual prosperity and leads to good paying jobs on both sides of the Atlantic,” he said.

Pence also lauded already strong ties between Germany and Indiana – and reiterated that the ties should and could extend across Europe and the United States. Germany is Indiana’s third biggest foreign trade outlet. More than $2 billion of goods from Indiana gets exported to Germany – a number that is constantly increasing.

Pence thanked the Germans for this commitment to Indiana product, but also asked for them to keep working towards a brighter future.

Common values and a dedication to freedom is what Pence said cemented the relationship between Germany and Indiana. He said all Europeans should use those same values in an effort to combat Russia.

“Especially now, I believe it is imperative that we who believe in democracy and freedom, stand against the forces that would reshape Europe by aggression,” Pence said. “As some claim territorial gains, they forfeit moral ground.”

Ally Marlow is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.