Dr. Bernard "Ben" Buecker 

Ben Buecker's contribution to citizen diplomacy began in the late 1970’s as a Fulbright scholar at University of Heidelberg Faculty of Law. During the 1980s his efforts resulted in the Distinguished Service Cross (Federal Republic of Germany) and the German American Friendship Award. Ben's work continued into the 1990’s and the twenty-first century. In 2003 and 2008, he received the Award of Merit from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children for Outstanding Commitment to the Protection of Children and Knowledge of Hague International Child Abduction Issues. In 2010, the government of Germany awarded him the German Service Cross, First Class. Ben remains active in citizen diplomacy and is the founder and chairman of the San Antonio - German Sister City Association in addition to serving as Honorary Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany. Ben has been a member of SACIV since 1990, serving in a variety of board positions with the organization.