[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Page 21265]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



         THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NORWEGIAN CLUB OF DETROIT

 Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 
Norwegian Club of Detroit, which will celebrate its 75th Anniversary in 
Orchard Lake, Michigan, on October 14, 2000. Only Ireland has had a 
larger percentage of its population immigrate to the United States than 
has Norway. As Norwegians arrived in Michigan, the Norwegian Club of 
Detroit was there to help them adjust to their new homeland, while at 
the same time continue to celebrate the familiar traditions of home.
  The Norwegian Club of Detroit was organized in 1925. Originally 
consisting of only engineers, it quickly expanded to include Norwegians 
from all walks of life, providing an important cultural, social and 
professional network for Michigan's Norwegian community.
  An example of the Club's importance to the Norwegian community can 
clearly be seen during World War II, when members managed to mobilize 
and ultimately provide support to Norwegian military forces who escaped 
the Nazi invasion. Members also organized training in Canada to assist 
in the war effort of the Allies.
  The Norwegian Club of Detroit remains an important factor in 
celebrating and promoting Norwegian and Scandinavian cultural, 
political and economic ties to the State of Michigan. One of the first 
groups to participate in the Ethnic Festivals in Detroit, the Club also 
has helped support performances by the Scandinavian Symphony, a visit 
by the Hjemkomst Viking ship reproduction, as well as various Norwegian 
performers and artists.
  Mr. President, 2000 is an extremely important year in the Norwegian-
American community. It is the 100th Anniversary of the founding of 
Oslo, Norway's capital city, as well as the 1000th Anniversary of the 
Viking discovery of North America. This year also marks 175 years of 
Norwegian immigration to the United States. Amidst all of this, and on 
behalf of the entire United States Senate, I wish the Norwegian Club of 
Detroit a Happy 75th Anniversary, and continued success in the 
future.

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