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File #: 23-0973    Version: 1
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
File created: 9/29/2023 In control: Miscellaneous & New Business
On agenda: 10/5/2023 Final action: 10/5/2023
Title: RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners recognizing German American Heritage Month and honoring the German Day Association

RESOLUTION FOR BOARD MEETING OF OCTOBER 5, 2023

 

Title

RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners recognizing German American Heritage Month and honoring the German Day Association

Body

 

WHEREAS, German migration to the United States is traced back to the 1600’s.  While German migration to the United States began in 1608 with the founding of Jamestown, Virigina, the first permanent German community was established in October of 1683 with the arrival of thirteen families and the establishment of Germantown, Pennsylvania; and

 

WHEREAS, in recognition of this historical event, the original observance of German migration, known as German Day, occurred in 1883, celebrating the 200th anniversary of the formation of Germantown.  While celebrations of German Day dwindled over time, with the tricentennial anniversary approaching in 1983, immense efforts were made to revive the observance; and

 

WHEREAS, as a result, President Ronald Reagan issued the first Presidential Proclamation recognizing October 6, 1983 as German-American Day.  Thereafter on August 18, 1987, a Joint Resolution (Public Law 100-104) was passed by the 100th Congress of the United States designating October 6, 1987 as German-American Day; and

 

WHEREAS, in 1995, the German-American Joint Action Committee began to promote the concept of German American Heritage Month.  The idea was embraced by many and now German American Heritage Month is celebrated throughout the United States; and

 

WHEREAS, German Americans constitute one of the largest ancestry groups in the United States.  According to the United States Census Bureau, it is estimated that approximately 43 million Americans are of German descent; and

 

WHEREAS, founded in Chicago in 1920, the German Day Association was created to preserve German language, customs, and traditions.  A nonprofit organization, the German Day Association hosts numerous events throughout the year, including its annual 3-day German-American Day celebration and the Friedrich Von Steuben Parade; and

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, on behalf of ourselves and our staff, do hereby recognize German American Heritage Month and honor the German Day Association; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution be spread upon the permanent Record of Proceedings of the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.

 

Dated: October 5, 2023