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WHEREAS, early German immigration into Pennsylvania began in 1683 and had three large waves of immigration before our revolution in 1776, with Benjamin Franklin taking note of and admiring Germans’ determination and work ethic; and
WHEREAS, the middle of the 1800s saw its own wave of immigration which included the many Germans who settled in what became known as “Deutschtown” in Allegheny City and Bloomfield in Pittsburgh, and the skilled and hard-working people founded businesses and singing clubs and were welcomed additions to the fast growing area; and,
WHEREAS, many German men, and later women joined singing groups or Männerchors providing them with a place where they could sing the songs of their old homeland, this led to the creation of Teutonia Männerchor in Allegheny City, now Pittsburgh’s North Side; and,
WHEREAS, Bloomfield Liedertafel and Teutonia Männerchor are hosting the 62nd triennial gathering of the North American Singers Association in Pittsburgh during Memorial Day weekend, the first time since Memorial Day in 1967 at the Civic Arena; and,
WHEREAS, our City welcomes the approximately 70 choruses and 1,000 singers from all over the country who will gather and enjoy German Choral singing, which will include the free concert at the A.J. Palumbo Center May 28, 2016 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.; and,
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh thanks all of the German immigrants for their industry, skills and good citizenship, for they have added to the richness of our area; and recognizes the accomplishment sustaining and enhancing German Choral Singing since their arrival on America’s shores; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare May 28, 2016 as “German Choral Singing Day” in the City of Pittsburgh. Glück auf!