[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 98 (Friday, June 26, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1592]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      CELEBRATING THE CITY OF ERBENDORF, GERMANY'S 900TH BIRTHDAY

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                        HON. MICHAEL E. McMAHON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 25, 2009

  Mr. McMAHON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate and honor the 
city of Erbendorf in the Oberpfalz region in the State of Bavaria in 
Germany as it celebrates its 900th Birthday.
  Nine hundred years ago, this village was first mentioned as 
``Herbendorf' in the Establishment and Protection letters of Pope 
Paschalis II as he wrote to the monastery Weissenohe in Oberfranken. 
Although it appears that location is today what is known as Altenstadt, 
it is clear that the city we know today has enjoyed an existence for 
more than 900 years. And since history does not stand still, we are 
sure that someday an even earlier mention of this city will be found.
  In its more than 900 year history, the city of Erbendorf has 
certainly changed and developed. Through the middle ages and modern 
times it has been beset by war, hunger, pestilence, and siege. However, 
this has given the city its inner strength and it has now grown into a 
beloved city with a wonderful quality of life, enviable infrastructure, 
and a strong economy.
  Certainly some of its most prominent citizens include Buergermeister 
Hans Donko, Axel Baron von Stromberg, and Hilde and Fritz Kohr, who 
recently celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary and continue to 
operate one of the city's most beloved businesses, Konditorei Kohr. In 
addition the city was the birthplace of two of its most favorite 
daughters, Maria Schrebs Trottmann, who emigrated to Neustadt/Waldnaab, 
and my mother Meta Baronin von Stromberg McMahon, who emigrated to the 
United States where she had seven children who to this day consider 
themselves part of the Erbendorf family. For many years, her brother 
Doctor Nils Baron von Stromberg and his wife Charlotte served the city 
as family doctors.
  Madam Speaker, the city of Erbendorf has had a front row seat to the 
turbulent course of European history. For nearly a millennium, her 
citizens have borne witness to the countless events--from the epic to 
the mundane which unfolded to shape the Europe and the world of today. 
I am proud to be a son of the city of Erbendorf and offer my 
congratulations on its 900th anniversary.

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