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WHEREAS, those of German descent began emigrating to Pennsylvania in 1683, and many settled in what is now known as Deutschtown, in Pittsburgh’s Northside, where the influence of German culture is still visible today; and,
WHEREAS, in recognition of these immigrants and their offspring, the Alliance of Germanic Societies of Pittsburgh (German, Austrian and Swiss) will host their annual German Heritage Recognition Luncheon in Historic Teutonia Männerchor on Saturday, September 15, 2018; and,
WHEREAS, the luncheon will include dignitaries from various German, Austrian and Swiss organizations, German Folk Dance groups, and singing societies. In addition, two individuals will be honored for their significant impact on the Pittsburgh area; and,
WHEREAS, honoree Dr. Thomas E. Starzl (1926 - 2017) was born in LeMars, Iowa to Rome Starzl and Anna Laura Fitzgerald. He grew up as an “All American Boy”, earning his Eagle Scout award at age 14 and playing football, basketball, and the trumpet in high school. Following his high school graduation, Dr. Starzl pursued a college education to study surgery at Johns Hopkins University and the University of Miami, motivated by his mother’s wishes. He completed a residency at the Veterans Administration Research Hospital in Chicago; and,
WHEREAS, honoree Dr. Thomas E. Starzl performed the first ever liver transplant in the world in 1963. He pioneered significant research with organ transplantation and the development of anti-rejection medications, saving thousands of lives; and,
WHEREAS, honoree Dr. Thomas E. Starzl, in collaboration with John Fung, developed tacrolimus, the most widely used immunosuppressant drug in the world, in 1989. In 1992, Dr. Starzl and his colleagues discovered the use of donor leukocytes, by taking the white blood cells of a donor and transplanting them into a cancer patient with the hopes of leading the patient into cancer remission. This discovery revolutionized the science of transplantation and immunology; and,
WHEREAS, during his time in Pittsburgh, Dr. Thomas E. Starzl trained transplantation surgeons from around the world with his techniques and findings, so that they could train their own transplantation centers. Dr. Thomas E. Starzl served as chief of transplantation services at Presbyterian University Hospital, now UPMC Presbyterian, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, now Children’s Hospital of UPMC, and the Veterans Administration Hospital in Pittsburgh. He served as president of the Transplantation Society, was the founding president of the American Society of Transplant Surgeons, and was the founding president of the Transplant Recipients International Organization. In 1992, he was inducted into the prestigious National French Academy of Medicine. In 1996, the University of Pittsburgh Transplantation Institute was renamed the Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute. The science and medical contributions of Dr. Thomas E. Starzl to Pittsburgh and the world are without equal; and,
WHEREAS, honoree Cor Van Maurik was a member of the United States Army in Germany after the end of WWII. While serving, he met his wife, Christel, where she lived in the small town of Wiehe in the state of Thuringia. The couple moved to the United States where Cor
began working in construction. In 1957, they joined Teutonia, and eventually Cor served as president for 14 years, the longest serving president of the 164 years that Tuetonia Männerchor has been established. Christel assisted with many club activities and was the club’s Newsletter Editor for many years; and,
WHEREAS, honoree Cor Van Maurik helped to establish a welcoming atmosphere for the new members, even if they were several generations removed from Germany or had no German heritage at all. He also oversaw the building of the club’s parking lot and the designation of the clubhouse as a National Historic Register Building. Under Cor’s time as president, the club’s first public event, the 150th Jubiläum, occurred, which included group visits from Germany and the United States and a summer festival with entertainment. Cor also helped to modernize the club by establishing a website and electronic membership communication. Cor Van Maurik has continued his interest in the German community and Teutonia and recently underwrote a Maibaum for the Club’s Biergarten; and,
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby recognize and honor historic citizen and commends all of the 2018 sponsors and participants in the annual German Heritage Recognition Luncheon; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare Saturday, September 15, 2018 to be “German Day” in the City of Pittsburgh. *Glück Auf!*