CITY OF ALLENTOWN, PA.
Proclamation

WHEREAS, forty-four years ago on October 26, 1955, the day after the last foreign soldier left Austrian soil, the Austrian Nationalrat declared the country's neutrality; and

WHERAS, Austria’s neutrality laws were designated for her external independence, fos the inviolability of her territory and the integrity of her neutrality; and

WHEREAS, this year marks the 44th Anniversary of thc Austrian people’s celebration of October 26 at their Austrias National Day; and

WHEREAS, a fag-raising ceremony will be held at the Austrian-Hungarian Club at 4th & Washington Streets on Sunday, October 24, 1999 to recognize the Austrian people of our City.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM L. HEYDT, Mayor of the City of Allentown, Pennsylvania, on behalf of all o u r citizens, join with our Austrian friends and neighbors in the celebration of their national day and I do hereby proclaim Sunday, October 24,1999 as

AUSTRIAN NATIONAL DAY
IN ALLENTOWN

The Austrian flag-raising ceremony Sunday , November 7 th at the Northampton Liederkranz was more than hoisting the red and white cloth of a nation whose forefathers wrote history in the fields of medicine, music, literature, entertainment and most other forms of human endeavor. 

Robert Laky, master of ceremonies and longtime Liederkranz officer, summed up feelings of many in the large crowd attending - more than 100 - saying the exterior of the club didn't change much since its founding in 1911; although its interior underwent several renovation, it is much of the same, a mix of Austrians, Hungarians, Polish and other ethnic people. "We're all one", Laky said. 

Tessi Teklits, heading the local chapter of the Burgenländische Gemeinschaft, in an opening address, said the Austrian counterpart will be at the Northampton Liederkranz on this day. 

Several moist eyes were observed when the Austrian National Anthem played while the crowd stood in silence, focused on the 5 foot by 8 foot Austrian flag. Raising the American flag were Irene und Willand Keller, who donated it, and Nadine and Joseph Wagner, donors of the Austrian Flag. 

Mayor Thomas Reenock read a proclamation, hailing the day as "Austrian Independence Day" in the borough. 

State Rep. Julie Harhart presented a citation from the state House of Representatives recognizing the club and Austrian Independence Day. She spoke of the thousands of Austrians who emigrated to this country, in particular, to the Lehigh Valley. 

Allentown City Council members Bob Smith Jr. and Emma Tropiano presented the club with a proclamation. lt related the important role Austria has played in American history. 

State Senator Charles Dent and Maury Pulley, aide to U.S. Congressman Pat Toomey presented Liederkranz President Robert Harder with citations. 

Tony Spitzer was recognized as the oldest member of the Burgenländische Gemeinschaft.