The freedom to think, believe and create are the very foundations of democracy and of civilization itself. Art and religion are among the most important and valued expressions of this freedom. People listen to my music not because of my religion, my politics, or my personal beliefs, but because they like it. German government attempts to prohibit and interfere with my performances and those of other artists simply due to our religious affiliation are chilling. These actions not only infringe on my artistic and religious rights, but on the rights of all artists, all religious minorities, and all people who are denied the right to hear my music. What especially bothers me is that the German government is infringing the rights of the German people, whom I consider my friends and with whom I have enjoyed a long and wonderful musical relationship.

Mr. Chairman, I continue to be grateful for your actions and those of the other congressmen who, over the years, have tenaciously fought for the rights of American and German citizens targeted by governmental policies of intolerance. Your assistance has always meant a great deal to me, and I thank you deeply. But the job is not yet done, perhaps not even half done, and we must reiterate and reinforce the message that we send to the German government.

The thing to understand about this situation is that the German people themselves certainly don’t want to live in this climate of religious and artistic intolerance but have been continually intimidated by the German government with the help of an unthinking and unethical press at its beck and call.

We must make it plain to the German government that a policy designed to censor, denigrate and stigmatize individuals because of their religious beliefs will not be tolerated. That intimidating individuals into not attending the concerts of certain artists, or promoters into not engaging their services, will meet with unequivocal condemnation by the U.S. government and Congress. I urge you to give your full support to the Resolutions presently in the House and Senate — H.R. 388 and S. 230 respectively — which call the German government back to its human rights commitments.

Thank you very much for accepting my testimony.