John Gunther as the German Friendship Group. Beginning In 1963. Immigrants from other countries. particularly from Holland. began joining the club. In 1974. the club sponsored Its first Oktoberfest. The German Amedcan Clubrecognized by the city of Kalamazoo as a public service organizationis now incorporated and enjoys a permanent home at Hackett High School. The purpose of the German American Club of Kalamazoo. as spelled out in its constitution. is to "promote understanding between citizens of the United States and immigrants from other countries." In addition to the Oktoberfest festival. the club sponsors dances and in many other ways shares with the greater Kalamazoo area the celebration of historical dates and valued traditions important to a number of Kalamazoos ethnic communities. Recently. the German American Club established a scholarship for Western Michigan Universitys German Language Department to be awarded annually to the best student of the German language. Mr. Speaker. I am certain my colleagues will want to join me In recognizing the 390 current members of the German American Club of Kalamazoo for their dedication to fostering their cultural heritage and assisting European Immigrants in their assimilation Into American life. I am privileged to represent the members of the club and to work with constituents who use the celebration of their history as a means of committing themselves to the future not only of their own cultural communities. but to that of the broader American society.
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immigrants Immigrants