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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 admiring their determination and work ethic; and
WHEREAS, 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 the skilled and hard working people founded businesses and singing clubs and were welcome additions to the fast growing area; and
WHEREAS, in the 2000 census, German roots were among the most commonly listed for our state and region, the natural beauty of Western Pennsylvania often being described as reminiscent of the homeland that these immigrants left; and
WHEREAS, the most recent small wave of German immigration to our area followed WWII, as young people who had lived through that war as children moved to America to join family and friends who had emigrated earlier; and
WHEREAS, the United States Congress, by Public Law100-104, has designated October 6 as
German-American Day throughout the nation; and
WHEREAS, The Alliance of Germanic Societies of Pittsburgh, consisting of the Alpen Schuhplattler und Trachten Verein, Austrian Cultural Society, DANK (Pittsburgh Chapter), East Pittsburgh Saengerbund, Greater Beneficial Union of Pittsburgh, G.T.V. D'Lustigen Isartaler, Institute for German Americn Relations, Pittsburgh District Kinderchor, Pittsburgh District Nord-Amerikanisher Saengerbund, Pittsburgh Swiss Singers, Swiss American Society of Pittsburgh, Teutonia Damenchor, Teutonia Maennerchor, Teutonia Maennerchor Club, and the Austrian, German, and Swiss Nationality Rooms of the University of Pittsburgh, desire to celebrate German-American day on September 12, 2009; and
WHEREAS, the Alliance wishes to renew an old custom of celebrating by sponsoring a parade through the Streets of “Historic Deutschtown,” ending at the cultural center celebrating those who came to America fro...
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