HomeMy WebLinkAboutWelcoming the 2003 Delegation from Arzberg, GermanyAttest:
RESOLUTION
3202 -03
Passed by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana
June 23,
20 03
Presented by me to the Mayor of the City of South Bend, Indiana
June 24, 20 03.
City Clerk
President of Common Council
Approved and signed by me June 24
20 03 .
City Clerk
Resolution No. 3 Z0 Z -Q3
A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND,
INDIANA WELCOMING THE 2003 DELEGATION FROM ARZBERG, GERMANY.
WHEREAS, the South Bend/Arzberg connection is more than 150 years old, originating
when a large number of'citizens from Arzberg emigrated to South Bend and helped to build our city;
and
WHEREAS, many names such as Elbel, Muessel, Nickels, Troeger, as well as many others
that are synonymous with the growth and development of South Bend and Mishawaka represent
families which originated in Arzberg; and
WHEREAS, the strong bond between Arzberg and South Bend was forged in part from many
letters sent between Arzberg and South Bend telling of the strengths of each city and the unique
qualities they display; and
WHEREAS, last June, residents from South Bend traveled to Arzberg and received a warm
welcome from the citizens of Arzberg, and a permanent memorial to South Bend was unveiled by
the mayor of Arzberg.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED-by the Common Council of the City of South
Bend, Indiana, as follows:
Section I. On behalf of the citizens of South Bend, Indiana, the Common Council hereby
publicly welcomes the Delegation from Arzberg, Germany and offers its best wishes for an
enjoyable and successful visit to South Bend.
Section II. The Common Council wishes to now thank the Delegation for coming to South
Bend to further strengthen the ties between our two cities.
Section III. The Common Council hereby publicly pledges to uphold this relationship and
to continue this bond of family in the years to come.
Section IV. This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption by
the Common Council and approval by the Mayor.
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James Aranowski, First District
Attest:
Loretta J. Duda, City Clerk
PRISENTED gyp, O o 1
NOT APPROVED
ADOPTED (9--0 -07
David Varner, Fifth District
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Ervin Kuspa, Sixth District
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Sean Coleman, Atj,arge
AI `Buddy" Kirsq , At f arge
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Karen L. White, At Large
Common Council President
Kathleen Cekanski- Farrand, Council
Attorney
Stephen J. Luecke, Mayor
CITY OF SOUTH BEND
STEPHEN J. LUECKE, MAYOR
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
June 18, 2003
South Bend Common Council
4°i Floor County City Building
South Bend, IN 46601
Dear Council Members:
Enclosed is a Resolution welcoming the 2003 Delegation from Arzberg, Germany. The
delegation is led by Arzberg Mayor Winfried Geppert. Many of South Bend's prominent
German families come from Arzberg, a piece of local history that was featured in the Indiana
Humanities Council's GERMANY IN US Program which explored the contributions of German-
Americans to Indiana through culture, education, religious practice, and commerce.
As you are aware, a delegation from South Bend, led by Dr. Gabrielle Robinson, visited
Arzberg last year. In addition, Herr Ervin Scherer, an archivist and local historian from Arzberg,
in Bavaria, has visited South Bend on two occasions, once in 2001, and again this spring. Herr
Scherer visited South Bend to explore the rich archives of our community that include letters and
manuscripts that document the strong bonds of family and friendship that were maintained,
nurtured, and strengthened, despite the distance between our two cities. Dr. Robinson, Indiana
University South Bend has published a book commemorating this great shared history.
The German connection to our area is one of the oldest and one of the strongest. It is
amazing to note that approximately 100 million letters were sent from the United States to
German between 1820 and 1914. These letters told of the blessings present in our country and
the unique qualities of our country. The letters shared anecdotal comments on the daily life of
those who chose to live in America which had a greater effect on the readers that any ad or
brochure ever could.
Today, we continue this friendship as we welcome the Arzberg delegation to our
community and celebrate the diversity and the history that are the fabric of our community.
I respectfully request your approval of the Resolution. I will be available at the time of
the Council Committee Session and at the Council Meeting, to answer questions.
/Sincerely,
Mikki Dobski, Community Affairs
COUNTY -CITY BUILDING • SOUTH BEND, INDIANA 46601
PHONE 574/235 -9261• FAx 574/235 -9892 • TDD 574/235 -5567