Minister Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Reinhart has presented Ursula Berner with the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, conferred on her by Prof. Dr. Horst Köhler, President of the Federal Republic of Germany. The presentation took place on Tuesday (15 December 2009) during a reception held at the Villa Reitzenstein in Stuttgart. “The number of examples where Ursula Berner has taken responsibility in the local community and been a role model to others is long. She has seized the chances and opportunities offered to her to get things going and make a difference, not only for children and young people but also for employees.
In her role as a member of the Supervisory Board of the Berner Group, Ursula Berner has fulfilled numerous commitments on behalf of the company. She plays a leading role in steering the cultural activities supported by the firm and has set up a social commitment program for employees. She has always known where she could make a difference”, said Minister Reinhart. Ursula Berner has used her understanding, farsightedness, energy and integrity to benefit the community and is an example to us all.
“Her role in the charitable Albert Berner Foundation, set up in 1995, has been outstanding. Ursula Berner is head of the Foundation, acting as its chairman and concerning herself in the local community with helping young people in the sporting and cultural fields”, Minister Reinhart stated. This includes, among other things, supporting young gymnasts competing in the Kochertal Cup.
“A special interest of Ursula Berner’s is the promotion of activities for and with children. Cultural work for children in Künzelsau is something very close to Ursula Berner’s heart”, said the Minister. She has been actively involved in this field since 1992, providing young people with access to cultural education. Thanks to the financial support of the Albert Berner Foundation, so far over 21,000 children have been able to attend attractive and inexpensive cultural events put on as part of the regular children’s theater program. “Through the Foundation, Ursula Berner also supports social organizations in other countries where the Berner Group operates. Thus for years SOS Children’s Villages in various European countries have received financial support”, added the Minister. Also the restoration of the cemetery church in Künzelsau is thanks to her initiative.
“The Albert Berner Foundation also sponsors an annual concert, which is now one of the highlights of the cultural year in Künzelsau. Here Ursula Berner’s ability and interest in classical music truly comes to the fore. Since 2003 Ursula Berner has also been on the Board of Trustees of the Hohenlohe Cultural Foundation. The personal effort she has put into the ‘Hohenlohe Cultural Summer’ concert series is reflected in its continuing development”, explained Minister Reinhart.
As a committee member of the ‘Friends of the State Gallery in Stuttgart’, Ursula Berner has contributed, through her commitment over many years, to the high standard and variety of the exhibitions at the State Gallery, thus enlivening one of the most important cultural institutions in the State of Baden-Württemberg and its capital Stuttgart.
“The social and entrepreneurial commitment of Ursula Berner is exemplary and deserves our respect and our recognition. Theodor Heuss put his finger on it when he said: ‘The state must also know how to say thank you.’ Thus, with this in mind, it is my great pleasure to thank you in the name of Minister President Oettinger and the whole federal state government most sincerely for your outstanding work”, concluded Minister Prof. Dr. Reinhart.
Source:
STAATSMINISTERIUM BADEN-WÜRTTEMBERG
PRESSESTELLE DER LANDESREGIERUNG