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From German Immigrant Farmer to Bank Founder: William Witte Helped Build Modern Queens
ByImmigrant Hall of Honor July 19, 2026August 28, 2026

William Witte, great-grandfather of Immigrant Hall of Honor board member Jim Witte, was a farmer, father and businessman who immigrated to the United States from Germany as a teenager in 1884.

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Inductee I.M. Pei

Chinese immigrant and renowned architect I.M. Pei designed iconic structures like the Louvre Pyramid in Paris and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.

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Inductee Irving Berlin

Irving Berlin was a legendary composer and lyricist whose music deeply shaped American culture. An immigrant from Russia, he wrote iconic songs including “God Bless America” and “White Christmas,” capturing the spirit of the nation through times of war and peace.

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