2009 April History of DANK

Donauschwaben in den USA

VISITING AUTHOR/EDITOR ARTICLE

APRIL 2009

History of DANK

Deutsch Amerikanisher National Kongress

This information was taken from the information page on the DANK website. Visit its site for further information.

http://dank.org/

The German American National Congress (DANK) was founded in Chicago in 1959 to bring together Germans and Americans of German ancestry. We aim to preserve and enjoy our German heritage, language and culture. We are not a political organization, however we endeavor to represent German - American interests.

DANK maintains close relationships with our governmental and civic bodies, including the White House, federal, state and municipal agencies, as well as the German Embassy in Washington, consulates and other German organizations with cultural, education and commercial agendas.

In 1987 DANK was instrumental in the adoption of the Congressional resolutions declaring October 6th German American Day, which has been observed since then on a national level.

Together with the Steuben Society of America and the United German American Committee of the U.S.A., the German American Joint Action Committee (GAJAC) was formed to promote this historic event. Leaders of the German American National Congress have been frequently invited to the White House by US presidents, as well as to functions by high ranking German government officials.

The German American National Congress publishes a bi-monthly bilingual newspaper, the German American Journal, with news and activity reports for its members and friends. It is the voice of the organization and has a national distribution.

Objectives & Activities

Foster friendship between the United States and Germany
Promote a positive image of Germans among Americans.
Establish exchange programs and cross-cultural activities among young Germans and Americans.
Conduct language schools for children as well as for adults.
Encourage and support German language and culture studies in public schools, colleges and universities.
Facilitate genealogy research of German ancestry.

DANK chapters engage in many cultural and social activities of particular interest to its members, e.g. German American Day, Steuben Parades, Germanfests, Oktoberfests, picnics, dances, Karneval and Christmas celebrations.

DANK also interacts with other ethnic societies in joint cultural programs.

As the nation's largest German American organization it has become a uniting force for our country's largest ethnic community and a strong voice in representing its interests

Bicentennial Scroll

GERMAN

Da waren Deutsche auch dabei
by Konrad Krez,
(born 1828 in Landau,
died 1897 in Milwaukee)

Als Bettler sind wir nicht gekommen
Aus unserem deutschen Vaterland.
Wir hatten manches mitgenommen,
Was hier noch fremd und unbekannt.
Und als man schuf aus dichten Wäldern,
Aus öder, düsterer Wüstenei
Den Kranz von reichen Feldern,
Da waren Deutsche auch dabei.

Gar vieles, was in früheren Zeiten
Ihr kaufen müsstet überm Meer,
Das lehrten wir euch selbst bereiten,
Wir stellten manche Werkstatt her.
Oh, wagt es nicht, dies zu vergessen,
Sagt nicht, als ob das nicht so sei,
Es künden's tausend Feueressen,
Da waren Deutsche auch dabei.

Und was die Kunst und Wissenschaften
Euch hier verlieh'n an Kraft und Stärk',
Es bleibt der Ruhm am Deutschen haften,
Das meiste war der Deutschen Werk.
Und wenn aus vollen Tönen klinget
Ans Herz des Liedes Melodei,
Ich glaub' von dem, war ihr da singet,
Ist vieles Deutsche auch dabei.

Drum steh'n wir stolz auf festem Grunde,
Den unsere Kraft der Wildnis nahm,
Wie wär's mit eurem Staatenbunde,
wenn nie zu euch ein Deutscher kam?
Und wie in Bürgerkriegestagen,
Ja schon beim ersten Freiheitsschrei:
Wir dürfen's unbestritten sagen,
Da waren Deutsche auch dabei.

ENGLISH

At your Side There
Were Germans Too
Translated from the German original by Dr. Robert E. Ward

Not as burdens to these shore we throng,
From our cherished German Fatherland.
Indeed, we have brought so much along,
Unknown to you, yet by our hand.
And when from the dense forestal shields,
and the open wilderness you
wreath'd your vast and verdant fields,
at your side there were Germans too.

So much of that which in early days
you brought here from across the sea,
We taught you how to prepare, and ways
to produce more goods, yes, 'twas we.
Dare not forget this, deny it n'er --
Say not that we did not so do,
For a thousand forges witness bear:
At your side there were Germans too.

And though your art and your sciences now
Bring their strength and power to this land,
their fame rests still on the German brow,
'Twas mostly done by German hand,
And when from your songs melodies ring
memories of hearts once so true,
'Tis known to me, in the songs you sing
is much put there by Germans too!

Thus, with great pride on this soil we stand,
Which from the wilds our strength brought claim,
Ever wonder then, what kind of land,
'Twould be if n'er a German came!
And so we declared in Lincoln's day,
And that day freedom's horn first blew --
Yes, we dare undeniably say:
At your side there were Germans too

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