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[Congressional Record: October 6, 2000 (Senate)]
[Page S10078]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:cr06oc00-111]
THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NORWEGIAN CLUB OF DETROIT
Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the
Norwegian Club of Detroit, which will celebrate its 75th Anniversary in
Orchard Lake, Michigan, on October 14, 2000. Only Ireland has had a
larger percentage of its population immigrate to the United States than
has Norway. As Norwegians arrived in Michigan, the Norwegian Club of
Detroit was there to help them adjust to their new homeland, while at
the same time continue to celebrate the familiar traditions of home.
The Norwegian Club of Detroit was organized in 1925. Originally
consisting of only engineers, it quickly expanded to include Norwegians
from all walks of life, providing an important cultural, social and
professional network for Michigan's Norwegian community.
An example of the Club's importance to the Norwegian community can
clearly be seen during World War II, when members managed to mobilize
and ultimately provide support to Norwegian military forces who escaped
the Nazi invasion. Members also organized training in Canada to assist
in the war effort of the Allies.
The Norwegian Club of Detroit remains an important factor in
celebrating and promoting Norwegian and Scandinavian cultural,
political and economic ties to the State of Michigan. One of the first
groups to participate in the Ethnic Festivals in Detroit, the Club also
has helped support performances by the Scandinavian Symphony, a visit
by the Hjemkomst Viking ship reproduction, as well as various Norwegian
performers and artists.
Mr. President, 2000 is an extremely important year in the Norwegian-
American community. It is the 100th Anniversary of the founding of
Oslo, Norway's capital city, as well as the 1000th Anniversary of the
Viking discovery of North America. This year also marks 175 years of
Norwegian immigration to the United States. Amidst all of this, and on
behalf of the entire United States Senate, I wish the Norwegian Club of
Detroit a Happy 75th Anniversary, and continued success in the
future.
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