Release #351-00

 

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Sunny Mindel/Lynn Rasic (212) 788-2958

Deputy Mayor for Operations Joseph J. Lhota, representing Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, today proclaimed Saturday, September 16, "German American Steuben Parade Day." Joining Deputy Mayor Lhota at the City Hall Park ceremony today were Parade Chairman William Hetzler, Department for the Aging Commissioner Herbert Stupp, and Homeless Services Commissioner Martin Osterreich.

"New York City possesses the greatest fortune of any City - we're not only the wealthiest City in the world in a cultural sense, but also in a very human sense," Deputy Mayor Lhota said. "The seven and a half million people who live here come from every imaginable background, making New York the most diverse and energetic City in the world. It is with great pleasure that I present this proclamation in the spirit of profound appreciation for the contributions of German Americans to the development of our City."

At the ceremony Commissioner Stupp presented Certificates of Appreciation to 58 musical groups in attendance from Germany.

The 43rd Annual German American Steuben Parade honors Baron Friedrich Wilhelm Von Steuben, who came to this country to lend his heroic support to General Washington in the struggle for American independence. This year's parade will take place on Saturday, September 16th at Noon along Fifth Avenue, beginning at 63rd Street.

Also present at the proclamation ceremony were five mayors from Germany, Hon. Juergen Danielowski, Oberbuergermeister (Lord Mayor) of Goettingen, Hon. Peter Oertling, Oberbuergermeister of Luebeck, Hon. Gerhard Landgraf, Buergermeister (Mayor) of Maisach, Hon. Hans-Juergen Schaefer, Buergermeister of Schlitz, and Hon. Thomas Schwertel, Buergermeister of Hornberg.