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November 2010
STEUBEN PARADE PROCLAMATIONS ARE TRIBUTE AND HISTORY LESSON
They are given out regularly and sometimes without much fanfare: Proclamations. The German-American Steuben Parade is honored to be awarded with several every year, but regrets that sometimes too few people get the chance to read what legislators (and their staff) write there. This is unfortunate, because many Proclamations aside from expressing respect for the German-American heritage, its culture and traditions are also quick lessons in German-American history.
The Steuben Parade Committee is pleased to present scans of some of the Proclamations we got this past season.
One of them is issued by the New York State Senate and signed by Senator Ruben Diaz from New York´s 32nd District. Its pays tribute to the "prominent German-Americans, including: President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Yankeed Baseball Legends Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, Physicist Albert Einstein, Mayor Robert F Wagner, and Nobel Prize Winner and New York City´s own Dr. Günther Blobel" presenting a remarkable line of Americans of German heritage from all walks of life.
The same Proclamation also offers some interesting statistics: It says that, according to the latest available census data Germans are the single largest ethnic group in 24 of America´s 50 states as well as 28 of New York State´s 62 counties.
Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer acknowledges the fifth year of Lars Halter being General Chairman of the Steuben Parade and applauds the Grand Marshals. Like most Proclamations it names Dr. Ruth Westheimer and Dr. Michael Möller personally. Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz does the same and congratulates the Grand Marshals for "shining a light on the many extraordinary contributions that German-Americans bring to the rich cultural life" of Brooklyn - and the nation.
Queens Borough President Helen M. Marshall focuses more on the historic contributions of the Parade´s namesake General von Steuben and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. thanks the many volunteers who put their time and efforts into staging the Steuben Parade. Staten Island Borough President James P. Molinaro remembers German-American influences on Staten Island where most German immigrants made a home in the North Shore neighborhoods of Clifton and Stapleton and founded breweries including Bechtel´s, Bachmann´s, Bischoff´s, Rubsam and Horrman´s.
The Steuben Parade Committee is grateful for these Proclamations we receive every year. On the committee, former New York City Commissioner Herb Stupp is in charge of acquiring these documents of respect and friendship. Unfortunately, the Steuben Parade - at this point - does not have a physical residence and so the Proclamations can´t be shown to the public. However, we are happy to put them up here for your research and pleasure.
New York State Senate Proclamation
Manhattan Proclamation
Brooklyn Proclamation
Queens Proclamation
Bronx Proclamation
Staten Island Proclamation
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