[Congressional Bills 103th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.J. Res. 401 Engrossed in House (EH)]

103d CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. J. RES. 401

_______________________________________________________________________

                            JOINT RESOLUTION


 
Designating the months of March 1995 and March 1996 as ``Irish-American 
                           Heritage Month''.

Whereas 150 years ago, the blight that struck Ireland's potato crop (``the 
        single root that changed the history of the world''), known as the Great 
        Famine, caused 2,000,000 of Ireland's population to emigrate, mostly to 
        America's shores;
Whereas in 1847 alone, 25,000 Irish immigrants arrived in Boston;
Whereas by 1851, the end of the famine exodus, 1,712 emigrant ships had sailed 
        up the Narrows into New York harbor;
Whereas during the ``Great Hunger'' (1845-1851) more people left Ireland than 
        had emigrated in the previous 250 years;
Whereas within a few years of their arrival in the United States, these Irish 
        immigrants took jobs as laborers, built railroads, canals, and schools, 
        dedicated themselves to help build this Nation, and this same legacy 
        remains a part of today's American mainstream;
Whereas James Smith, George Taylor, Matthew Thornton, and Charles Thomson, 4 of 
        the individuals who signed the Declaration of Independence, were Irish 
        born and 9 other signers were of Irish ancestry;
Whereas Irish-born James Hoban designed and supervised the building of the White 
        House and its restoration after it was burned in 1814;
Whereas more than 200 Irish-Americans have been awarded the Congressional Medal 
        of Honor;
Whereas 19 Presidents of the United States proudly claim Irish heritage, 
        included among them, the first President, George Washington;
Whereas John W. O'Beirne, Founder of the American Foundation for Irish Heritage, 
        first requested in 1990 that Congress designate March as ``Irish-
        American Heritage Month''; and
Whereas the 44,000,000 Americans of Irish ancestry, like their forebearers, 
        continue to enrich all aspects of life in the United States, in science, 
        education, art, agriculture, business, industry, literature, music, 
        athletics, military and governmental service: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That the months of March 1995 
and March 1996 are designated as ``Irish-American Heritage Month''. The 
President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling 
upon the people of the United States to observe these months with 
appropriate ceremonies and activities.

            Passed the House of Representatives September 30, 1994.

            Attest:






                                                                 Clerk.
103d CONGRESS

  2d Session

                             H. J. RES. 401

_______________________________________________________________________

                            JOINT RESOLUTION

Designating the months of March 1995 and March 1996 as ``Irish-American 
                           Heritage Month''.