Get To Know the National Conference of State Societies (NCSS)

State Societies Make Home Seem Closer

Hundreds of thousands of local residents moved to our national capital region from somewhere else originally. So getting homesick often goes with the territory. But there is a cure.

If you're in the Navy and grew up in Minnesota, you might long for a really good Walleye Pike dinner cooked just the way they do back home. Or if you came to Washington from Mississippi and hanker for a good old-fashioned catfish fry, you can find a picnic just for Mississippians. No matter where you're from, you can find folks from your home state preparing the meals you love, rooting for your college teams, and swapping folklore about hometown heroes.

State societies are civic and social booster clubs for natives of 50 states and 5 territories. With roots that trace back to the start of the Illinois State Society in 1854, societies often first formed around state congressional delegations that are unique to the nation's capital. Members of Congress, Capitol Hill staff, military, government workers, lobbyists, students, business people, journalists, and retirees join state societies to bring a bit of home to Washington, DC.

Over the last 148 years, hundreds of Members of Congress have been active members of state societies. Abraham Lincoln was reportedly a member of the Illinois State Society.

In 1955, Sen. Lyndon B. Johnson was President of the Texas State Society 8 years before he became President of the United States. Vice Presidents Al Gore and Dick Cheney have attended many Tennessee and Wyoming State Society events.

House Speaker Dennis Hastert was President of the Illinois State Society in 1993, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison was President of the Texas State Society in 2001, and Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta is a former President of the California State Society.

State society events are fun. They promote goodwill and good humor in parties and picnics where the partisan tensions of Washington melt away in the nonpartisan atmosphere of home-state pride. In the morning, a budget amendment might be the all- important vote of the day. But at a Michigan State Society party, the only number anyone wants to talk about is how many homers Hank Greenberg hit for the Detroit Tigers in the 1945 World Series. If you are from a state or territory, there is a society for you. Typical dues for an individual may vary by state, but the average is less than $20 per year. Companies also join state societies as corporate sponsors.

What do state societies do best? Party on, Garth!

Dozens of nonpartisan Inauguration parties are sponsored by state societies every four years. They started out as "unofficial" events, but by 1997 the Clinton-Gore Inaugural Committee recognized state events as part of the official schedule of Inauguration festivities, and they were included again in 2001 by the Bush-Cheney Inaugural Committee.

In fact, the largest single event during the 2001 Inaugural week was the quadrennial Texas State Society Black Tie and Boots Ball for more than 10,000 Texans (www.TexasStateSociety.org), followed by the Illinois State Society Inaugural Gala for 3,000 Illinois natives (www.IllinoisStateSociety.org) on the same night. Twenty other states also sponsored major events that week.

All year round, state societies sponsor picnics, Gold Cup parties, Capitol Hill receptions, dinners, lectures, mixers, ghost tours, wine-tasting tours, sports bar parties, baseball games, football-tailgate parties, antique hunts, and field trips of all kinds --- more than 250 each year. All you need to join is to be from somewhere in America. Even lifelong residents of DC have their own society.

Every year since 1948, the state societies sponsor a state cherry blossom princess to represent them during the annual Cherry Blossom Festival events. The National Conference of State Societies (NCSS) has been a founder and continuous sponsor of festival events for 55 years. There are several free events and four ticketed events sponsored by NCSS in early April. There is an open invitation to anyone who wants to come to an event. Here are some of the highlight events you may attend if you want to.

Easter Sunday, March 31st from 2:30 PM to 4 PM.

Japanese Stone Lantern Lighting Ceremony and Concert on the Tidal Basin.

For the 49th annual lighting of the lantern on American soil since 1954, the concert and ceremony are free and open to the public. NCSS jointly sponsors this event with the National Park Service. Japanese string instruments will be played by the Toho Koto Society of Washington, DC and songs will be performed by the Cardinal Choir.

Japanese Ambassador Ryoko Kato and Mayor Anthony Williams are expected to speak. The location is one block west of the paddle boat dock, at the west end of Kutz Bridge near the intersection of 17th and Independence Avenues, NW. Smithsonian Metro stop is two blocks east of site. All visitors are urged to take Metro.

For more information, visit www.nps.gov/nacc/cherry for updates.

Monday, April 1st from 6 to 9 PM

The Mayor's International Taste of Washington, DC.

This exciting reception will take place at Postal Square, 2 Massachusetts Avenue, NW; Washington, DC - just one block away from Union Metro Station - from 6 until 9 PM. It will feature indigenous specialties prepared by the chefs of Embassies and International restaurants, beverages, entertainment by International groups, door prizes, and a silent auction. The Vinifera Wine Growers Association will have members of their board of directors, and others pouring the wines from 10-12 of the wineries in their association for tasting as well. Tickets are $50/pp and are available from state societies or by calling Box Office Tickets at 1-800-494-8497. For a ticket order form, see www.statesocieties.org.

Wednesday, April 3rd from 11:30 to 1:30 PM

50th Anniversary NCSS Cherry Blossom Luncheon

This annual lunch will be held at the JW Marriott Hotel, 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. Hotel parking is available. All state and international cherry blossom princesses will attend along with the wife of Japanese Ambassador. Mr. Clifton Daniel, grandson of President Harry Truman, will be one of the speakers. Tickets are $60 per person - reserved seating only - and may be ordered from state societies or by calling Box Office Tickets at 1-800-494-8497. For a ticket order form, see www.StateSocieties.org.

Thursday, April 4th from 6 PM until 8 PM

50th Annual NCSS Cherry Blossom Congressional Reception.

The beautifully restored new U.S. Botanic Gardens on the House side of Capitol Hill located at 245 First Street, SW is the site of this annual classic. Japan Ambassador and Mrs. Ryozo Kato will also be in attendance to celebrate the 90th Anniversary of Japan's gift of cherry trees to Washington. A group from Japan who will perform the traditional Tea Ceremony on stage. Tickets are $35 per person and are available from state societies or by calling Box Office Tickets at 1-800-494-8497. For a ticket order form, see www.StateSocieties.org.

Friday, April 5th from 6 PM until Midnight

55th Annual United States Cherry Blossom Queen Grand Ball and Banquet

The black-tie dinner and ball will be held at the JW Marriott Hotel located at 1331 Pennsylvania, Ave, NW. Tables can be purchased or sponsored for small groups and individual tickets can be purchased as well. Guests will include Members of Congress, official visitors from Japan, members from the diplomatic community, and the Ambassadors of Japan and Thailand. The sushi reception before the Grand Ball will honor the 2002 Japan Cherry Blossom Queen and will be prepared by the Master Chefs from the All Japan Sushi Association.

This elegant annual event includes dinner, entertainment, crowning of the new 2002 United States Cherry Blossom Queen and dancing. Tickets are $125 each with reserved seating only. For a ticket order form, see www.StateSocieties.org. Or, order online by clicking on the online order button on our cherry blossom page or call Box Office Tickets at 1-800-494-8497.

To find your home-state society, visit www.StateSocieties.org and look up your state on the directory. About 29 state societies also have their own web sites and you can find them all linked from that one umbrella site of the National Conference of State Societies. Join the fun, you are most welcome.