Senate Resolution No. 981

BY: Senator AVELLA

COMMEMORATING the 60th Annual German-American
Steuben Parade on September 16, 2017

WHEREAS, The German-American Steuben Parade is a time for all to
celebrate the rich heritage of the German people, unlimited in their
contributions to this greatly diverse land of ours; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 60th Annual German-American Steuben Parade on Saturday,
September 16, 2017; and

WHEREAS, The Steuben Parade is named in honor and memory of General
(Baron) Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, the great Prussian military
strategist, who was extremely critical to the victory by George
Washington's forces over the British army during America's War for
Independence; and

WHEREAS, The 2000 United States Census and its 2005 update list
Americans of German ancestry as the largest ethnic group in the United
States; in 24 of America's 50 states, Germans are the single largest
ethnic group; and

WHEREAS, In New York, 28 of the state's 62 counties list Germans as
the single largest ethnic group; the Steuben Parade attracts visitors
from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Canada and many other nations, as
well as from many American states; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the Steuben Parade, the national flags of both
Germany and the United States as well as the Cornflower are presented;
these flags were presented at the first Steuben Parade by the Presidents
of each country in 1957; each year, these flags are carried by the Honor
Guard, the American Legion Post of the American Turners, New York; and

WHEREAS, The Steuben Parade brings together the entire
German-American community; groups including members from social and
cultural clubs, sports clubs, religious groups and the masons are given
the opportunity to march in the Steuben Parade; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body in keeping with
its time-honored traditions, to recognize and pay tribute to those
organizations which foster ethnic pride and enhance the profile of
cultural diversity which strengthens the fabric of the communities of
New York State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 60th Annual German-American Steuben Parade; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the German-American Steuben Parade.