German-American National Congress
The German-American National Congress , or DANK for short, was founded in Chicago in 1959 . The aim of the “German American National Congress” is to bring Germans and German-Americans together in order to cultivate, communicate and teach German customs, the German language and German culture. The German-American National Congress does not see itself as a political organization, but this organization tries to represent German-American interests in the United States of America.
With over 30 local chapters and more than 100 associate members, the organization is the largest German-American organization in the USA. The German-American National Congress in 1987 showed great commitment with the introduction of “ German-American Day ”, a national holiday on October 6th each year.
history
German societies and associations enjoyed a great reputation in the United States of America before the Second World War. However, when the Nazis came to power and their terrible crimes against humanity, many Americans avoided contact with Germans and even schools banned the German language as part of their teaching content. After the end of the war and the new influx of refugees to the USA due to expulsion and communist occupation, countless German associations such as choral and cultural associations were founded. The German-Americans lacked a nationwide organization that would represent the interests of the “German-Americans” across the USA. Leonard Enders finally took the initiative and mobilized other German-Americans to finally set up a nationwide organization. After all, all Americans with German roots should have the opportunity to unite and represent interests together. On December 12, 1958, representatives of local German associations, societies and other interested parties met in the “Donauschwaben Hall” in Chicago and it was decided to found the German American National Congress. The first general assembly took place on January 30, 1959, in which the main goals and tasks for the organization were decided.
German American Journal
The German American Journal, which appears every two months, is published by the German-American National Congress and sent to its members. The sheet first appeared in 1959 with six pages in the first edition. In the early years, the organization published the mostly German-language journal every three weeks. At the turn of the millennium, the newspaper began to be published mainly in the English language. In addition, the number of pages has increased to 16 per issue, with one page dedicated to German and articles published in German (articles are also printed in English). The focus of the German American Journal is on current German-American events, German food and entertainment, news from the organization, and articles on German-American issues.
Members of the German-American National Congress automatically receive the German American Journal with their membership. Non-members can purchase the Journal with an annual subscription for a fee of $ 15.00. The journal is also available in selected German restaurants, bars, supermarkets and consulates.
In 2009 the journal had an average print run of 3,500 copies per issue.
organization structure
The German-American National Congress is organized in the main association (DANK National) and the more than 30 local associations that are spread across the USA . The local chapters are divided into three regions, Region One, Region Two and Region Three. The headquarters of this organization (DANK National) is in the German-influenced Chicago district of Lincoln Square - in Chicago , in the state of Illinois .
Supervisory Board of the German American National Congress
| Surname | position |
|---|---|
| William Fuchs | president |
| Erich Wittmann | First Vice President |
| Donna Lippert | Second Vice President |
| Maria Thompson | Treasurer |
| Beverly Pochatko | secretary |
List of local chapters
| US state | Local chapter |
|---|---|
| Arizona | Phoenix |
| California | Woodside (King's Mtn) |
| Iowa | Quad cities |
| Illinois | German American Cultural Center |
| Illinois | Frankfort Mokena German Heritage Center |
| Illinois | Chicago West |
| Illinois | Decatur |
| Illinois | Fox Valley |
| Illinois | Lake County |
| Illinois | Northern suburbs |
| Illinois | Peoria |
| Illinois | Springfield |
| Indiana | Indianapolis |
| Indiana | La Porte |
| Indiana | LaFayette |
| Indiana | South Bend |
| Michigan | Benton Harbor |
| New Jersey | Pascack Valley |
| Ohio | Cleveland |
| Ohio | Columbus |
| Pennsylvania | The German Heritage Society |
| Pennsylvania | New Castle |
| Pennsylvania | Philadelphia |
| Pennsylvania | German American Heritage Society of Pittsburgh |
| Pennsylvania | Mason-Dixon (Subchapter of Pittsburgh) |
| Pennsylvania | Laurel Highlands (Subchapter of Pittsburgh) |
| Washington DC | Washington DC |
| Wisconsin | Janesville |
| Wisconsin | Milwaukee |
References
- ↑ Archived copy ( Memento of the original dated May 3, 2010 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ Archived copy ( Memento of the original dated May 3, 2010 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ PDF at www.dank.org ( page no longer available , search in web archives ) Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
