Well, I could go with the typical choices like Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Friedrich Schiller, Marthin Luther or Albert Einstein but I'd like to point out a person who I think gets way too little credit for what he did.
This person is Otto Wels. During the Weimar Republic he was chairman of the SPD (Social Democratic Party of Germany) and was the only member of the "Reichstag" to hold a speech against Hitler's Enabling Act. While I don't agree with a lot of his political views the fact that he fought for his believes and against the Nazi's is reason enough to point him out just because nobody seems to remember him.
One of the not so famous quotes from his speech is this one:
"At this historic hour, we German Social Democrats pledge ourselves to the principles of humanity and justice, of freedom and Socialism. No Enabling Law can give you the power to destroy ideas which are eternal and indestructible."
Later the SPD voted against Hitler's enabling act and they would've probably succeeded but the KPD (the communists) had already been banned so they didn't have enough votes.
If I had to point out a living person, I'd go for Helmut Schmidt, though. Willy Brandt (although he's dead) is also worth mentioning. He was chancellor of West Germany in the early 1970's and his "Ostpolitik" helped to decrease tenses between East and West. (and hell yes, the social democrats just have more amazing politicians than the Christ democrats).
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