[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 28 (Tuesday, March 2, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E285]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNITION OF THE GERMAN VILLAGE SOCIETY ON ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY

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                          HON. MARY JO KILROY

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 2, 2010

  Ms. KILROY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the German Village 
Society for fifty years of dedication to preserving the unique, 
historical charm of the German Village community. German Village is one 
of the preeminent historic districts in the United States and is the 
first neighborhood in Ohio recognized by the White House as a 
``Preserve America Community.''
  Fifty years ago, community organizer Frank Fetch worried that the 
historical neighborhood south of downtown Columbus was deteriorating 
rapidly. He held a meeting to discuss ways to revive the neighborhood. 
This initial meeting led to the formation of the German Village 
Society, a group of devoted, preservation-minded residents intent on 
saving and restoring their neighborhood's historic charm.
  Under the guidance of its charter members and with the dedication of 
local volunteers, German Village's historical preservation continues to 
this day. Residents donate more than 10,000 hours of their time 
annually to the community. Due to their passion and dedication to 
German Village, the entire 233-acre neighborhood is now on the U.S. 
Department of the Interior's Nation Register of Historic Places.
  The German Village Society continues to enhance its reputation as one 
of central Ohio's best communities in which to live and work. The Haus 
Und Garten Tour event is recognized on the American Bus Association's 
``100 Best Events'' list. The Society also hosts many free programs 
including Shakespeare in the Park, a summer series of Shakespeare's 
plays performed outdoors, and a weekly farmer's market. German Village 
is also home to the 23-acre Schiller Park, an anchor to the 
neighborhood for over 140 years, and numerous independent restaurants 
and businesses.
  With the continued support of local residents, the German Village 
Society continues to enrich their neighborhood and promote ``living'' 
history. On January 10, 2010, the German Village Society celebrated its 
50th anniversary. I am proud to recognize and honor the German Village 
Society and all of its dedicated volunteers for five decades of 
meaningful work to strengthen and preserve the thriving historical 
neighborhood of German Village.

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