LATE ADOPTED - AUGUST 24, 1999

Agenda Item No. 45

Introduced by the:

INGHAM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIEDERKRANZ CLUB ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 131^st

ANNIVERSARY

RESOLUTION #99- 211

WHEREAS, in 1868, the Lansing Liederkranz Club, chartered by 12 male, German-speaking vocalists, met at the home of Christian Ziegler at the corner of Capitol Avenue and Kilborn Street; and

WHEREAS, the Germans, who in the schools of their native land, had received extensive training in music - both folk and classic, turned largely to singing whenever small groups gather; and

WHEREAS, the practice was so universal that when the Civil War broke out, the entire community gathered to sing songs and wish God-speed and a safe return to the sons of these pioneers who had enlisted; and

WHEREAS, the Liederkranz Club of Lansing was patterned after choral groups of Germany, which had been in existence for more than two hundred years; and

WHEREAS, after World War II, the Liederkranz Club was the social center of several United States government-sponsored German police groups that were taking courses at Michigan State University's School of Police Administration; and

WHEREAS, today the Liederkranz Club continues to maintain its national affiliation; and

WHEREAS, they have been part of the Lansing Riverfront Festival, had floats in several Michigan Parades and have been invited as participants in international culture days in area schools; and

WHEREAS, the Liederkranz Club, the oldest ethnic club in Michigan, is celebrating its 131^st Anniversary.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners hereby congratulates the Liederkranz Club on the event of its 131^st Anniversary and extends its best wishes for continued success in all of their future endeavors.

Virgil Bernero Jean M. McDonald Alfreda Schmidt

John Czarnecki Thomas Minter Michael Severino

Mark Grebner Paul C. Pratt Anne Smiley

Wallace Juall Randy Schafer Mary Stid

Calvin Lynch