[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 107 (Friday, July 18, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1519]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           MILWAUKEE TURNERS CELEBRATE 150TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GERALD D. KLECZKA

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 17, 2003

  Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, September 6, 2003 the 
Milwaukee Turners will celebrate their 150th anniversary of providing 
the community with leadership in the fields of physical fitness, social 
justice and cultural preservation.
  German revolutionary and patriot Frederick Ludwig Jahn founded the 
Turners in Germany in 1811. The original purpose of the Turners was to 
overthrow Napoleon who had conquered Prussia and to work toward a 
unified Germany. The Turners became powerful enough to start a 
revolution to make Germany a republic. The effort was defeated and 
600,000 Germans were exiled.
  German immigrants who came to America in 1848, as a result of the 
events in Europe, were called 48'ers. The first Turner Society in the 
United States was founded in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1848. The 48'ers 
established athletic, social and cultural societies throughout the 
United States. At the turn of the century there were hundreds of active 
societies. Today there are only sixty-five Turner societies that 
remain. Milwaukee was once known as the ``German Athens of America'' 
because of the notable artistic, political and civic culture of the 
city. The Milwaukee Turners was a central part of this community.
  The Milwaukee Turners received its charter from the Wisconsin State 
Legislature in 1855. The Turner motto is ``Sound Mind in a Sound 
Body''. The philosophy of the organization is a holistic approach to 
the development of human potential through the harmonious integration 
of both intellectual and physical aspects of the individual.
  Over the years the Milwaukee Turners have actively opposed all forms 
of oppression and supported women's suffrage. The Turners also promoted 
the concept of including physical education as part of the public 
schools curriculum. The Turners Society in Milwaukee continues to 
support the original ideals and offers physical activities for people 
of all ages.
  Today, in an age of growing concern for the physical health of 
Americans and the lack of physical exercise, the Milwaukee Turners is 
ahead of the curve and is continuing to provide a vital service to the 
community through their outstanding physical fitness programs.
  I salute Milwaukee Turners efforts in improving the health of our 
citizens and congratulate the Milwaukee Turners on celebrating a proud 
history of supporting social justice, freedom and physical and mental 
well being for 150 years. I wish to extend my best wishes for continued 
success in the years to come.

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