The German American National Congress (german: Deutsch Amerikanischer National Kongress) (also known as DANK) is a national German-American

nonprofit organization A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...

in the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

founded in 1959. It was established to unite Americans of Germanic descent, while preserving their heritage and traditions. With over 30 chapters and more than 100 associated members throughout the country, DANK is the largest organization of German-Americans.

History

German American National Congress has had relationships with U.S. governmental and civic bodies including the White House, the German Embassy in

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, German

consulates A consulate is the office of a consul. A type of diplomatic mission, it is usually subordinate to the state's main representation in the capital of that foreign country (host state), usually an embassy (or, only between two Commonwealth count ...

, and a number of other German organizations, according to its website. The

Holocaust denier Holocaust denial is an antisemitic conspiracy theory that falsely asserts that the Nazi genocide of Jews, known as the Holocaust, is a myth, fabrication, or exaggeration. Holocaust deniers make one or more of the following false statements: * ...

Austin App Austin Joseph App (24 May 1902 – 4 May 1984) was an American professor of medieval English literature who taught at the University of Scranton and La Salle University. App defended Nazi Germany during World War II. He is known for his work den ...

was active with the group, according to the writer

Russ Bellant Russ Bellant (born 1949) is an American journalist, political activist, and author. He was an Associate of Political Research Associates. ''Old Nazis, the New Right, and the Republican Party'' is Bellant's most widely cited work. Chris Simpson wr ...

. App died in 1986. DANK was in the Republican Heritage Groups Council in the early 1970s. The group received some financial support from West Germany. In 1985, its president, Elsbeth Seewald, tried to persuade members of Congress to support President

Ronald Reagan Ronald Wilson Reagan ( ; February 6, 1911June 5, 2004) was an American politician, actor, and union leader who served as the 40th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989. He also served as the 33rd governor of California from 1967 ...

's controversial visit to the Bitburg military cemetery, where members of the Nazi

Waffen-SS The (, "Armed SS") was the combat branch of the Nazi Party's ''Schutzstaffel'' (SS) organisation. Its formations included men from Nazi Germany, along with Waffen-SS foreign volunteers and conscripts, volunteers and conscripts from both occup ...

were buried. In 1987 DANK was involved in the adoption of October 6 as

German-American Day German-American Day (german: Deutsch-Amerikanischer Tag) is a holiday in the United States, observed annually on October 6 under . It celebrates German-American heritage and commemorates the founding of Germantown, Pennsylvania (now part of Phil ...

, observed nationally.History of DANK
Retrieved 2011-08-14. It launched its website, dank.org, in the late 1990s. As of 2013, it had 800 members in the United States, according to ''Multicultural America.''

''German-American Journal''

The ''German-American Journal'' is the official newsletter of DANK, published bimonthly. At the start of DANK in 1959 it was six pages, issued every three weeks, and written almost entirely in German. As of 2011, the paper was 16 pages and written primarily in English, with articles in German often accompanied by an English translation or summary. Recurring topics in the ''Journal'' include current events, food and entertainment, reviews, and organization news. Members of DANK receive the newspaper as part of membership, and non-members may purchase an annual subscription.

Organizational structure

DANK is made up of chapters throughout the United States, which are divided into three regions: Regions One through Three. Along with its chapters, DANK has its national headquarters (DANK National) at the

DANK Haus German American Cultural Center DANK-Haus German American Cultural Center is a cultural organization located in the Lincoln Square, Chicago community area. Founded in Chicago in 1959, it seeks to preserve and promote German and German American culture. The center contains the D ...

located in Lincoln Square,

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Illinois Illinois ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern United States. Its largest metropolitan areas include the Chicago metropolitan area, and the Metro East section, of Greater St. Louis. Other smaller metropolita ...

. On the national and chapter level there are board-member positions which aid in keeping the organization running, and are responsible for organizing events and activities which aim to unite people of German-American descent.

References

{{Authority control German-American organizations Organizations established in 1959