[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 143 (Thursday, September 14, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1789]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        OKTOBERFEST--OFFICIALLY

                                 ______


                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 14, 1995
  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, as we await the start of fall, many of us 
get anxious about Oktoberfest, the German festival that celebrates 
food, friendship, and the bounty of a good harvest. This rich tradition 
has been celebrated by the city of Frankenmuth, within my congressional 
district, officially since 1989.
  And this year, from today, September 14, through September 17, the 
sixth celebration becomes even more special because the Frankenmuth 
Oktoberfest has been officially sanctioned by the city of Munich--the 
first time any Oktoberfest has been officially recognized anywhere 
outside of Germany.
  On August 26, Herr Herman Memmel, member of the Munich City Council; 
and Bavarian State Parliament, presented to Annette Rummel, president 
of the Frankenmuth Chamber of Commerce and Oktoberfest the Document of 
Ennoblement, officially naming the 1995 Frankenmuth Oktoberfest as the 
first Oktoberfest in the world to officially operate under the auspices 
of the city of Munich.
  The hard working and heritage proud people of Frankenmuth revel in 
their upholding of Bavarian traditions, celebration of Bavarian food 
and beverage, including its own award winning beers from the 
Frankenmuth Brewing Company, and are synonymous with the spirit of 
hospitality--gemutlichkeit--that helps all visitors to Frankenmuth 
fondly remember their all too short visits to this wonderful community.
  From the time of Crown Prince Ludwig who began the Oktoberfest with 
his wedding to Princess Theresia in 1810, when King Max I Joseph 
proclaimed a festival in four locations in Munich, today when 
Oktoberfest means the celebration of community and success, a proud 
tradition has been created. Frankenmuth is proud and honored to be an 
official partner in Oktoberfest, and proudly display the sign beckoning 
``Wilommen'' to all of our colleagues and the thousands of visitors 
that grace Frankenmuth each year.


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