German-American Heritage Foundation of the USA
The German-American Heritage Foundation of the USA (GAHFUSA) is a national non-profit organization that promotes German language, culture, and heritage in the United States and works toward preserving the history of Americans of German ancestry who helped build the United States.[1] It is a national membership organization through which Americans of German heritage and language work together on issues of common concern. The organization's national headquarters are in Washington, D.C.
The German-American Heritage Foundation was established as the United German-American Committee of the USA in 1977.[1]
Each year since President Ronald Reagan first declared October 6 German-American Day in 1987, GAHFUSA has petitioned the White House, United States Congress, and state and local governments to issue national and statewide proclamations.[2]
On October 17, 2008, the German-American Heritage Foundation acquired Hockemeyer Hall to establish the first national German-American Heritage Museum of the USA. Through supporters and fundraising, the GAHF was able to renovate the interior and exterior of the old townhouse, which opened in March 2010.[3]
Notable "Distinguished German-Americans"
The organization honors the outstanding contributions of Americans of German descent through its Distinguished German-American of the Year Award, which is presented at the annual Council of 1000 Award and Fundraising Gala.[4] Notable awardees have included:
- 1989: Werner Fricker
- 1990: Eric Braeden
- 1992: Heinz C. Prechter
- 2005: Günter Blobel
- 2006: H. Norman Schwarzkopf
- 2008: Jesco von Puttkamer[5]
- 2009: William R. Timken
- 2010: Paul Volcker
- 2011: Robert Zoellick
See also
- German-American Heritage Museum of the USA
- Americans of German descent
- List of famous German Americans
- German in the United States
- Auswanderer Denkmal
- German-Americans in the Civil War
- German inventors and discoverers
References
- 1 2 "Mission," German-American Heritage Foundation website.
- ↑ "Ongoing Programs" German-American Heritage Foundation website
- ↑ "About the Museum" German-American Heritage Foundation website
- ↑ "Distinguished German-American of the Year Award" German-American Heritage Foundation website
- ↑ "Dr. Jesco von Puttkamer, 2008 Distinguished German-American of the Year" (Adobe Flash). germanamericanpioneers.org. 2008. Retrieved 28 December 2012.