[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 140 (Friday, September 30, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 30, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                     IRISH-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

  Mrs. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee 
on Post Office and Civil Service be discharged from further 
consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 401) designating the 
months of March 1995 and March 1996 as ``Irish-American Heritage 
Month.''
  The Clerk read the title of the joint resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Virginia?
  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, I do not 
object, but I would simply like to inform the House that the minority 
has no objection to the legislation now being considered.
  Mr. MANTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Joint 
Resolution 401, a resolution I introduced to proclaim the months of 
March 1995 and 1996 as ``Irish-American Heritage Month.'' I am pleased 
that a majority of my colleagues have joined me in sponsoring this 
important resolution. I would also like to thank Chairman Clay for 
bringing this resolution to the floor.
  This is the fifth consecutive year I have introduced this legislation 
in celebration of the over 40 million Americans of Irish descent. This 
resolution has particular significance because 1995 marks the 150th 
anniversary of the Great Hunger that devastated Ireland between 1845 
and 1851. Within 5 years, the famine reduced a population of 8.1 
million by almost half through death and mass emigration of the Irish 
to the United States, Canada, and England.
  These Irish immigrants of the mid-19th century and those who followed 
in later years dedicated themselves to helping build this Nation. 
According to the most recent census data, more than 44 million 
Americans are of Irish descent. House Joint Resolution 401 is designed 
to celebrate the heritage of these Irish-Americans and complement the 
hundreds of parades and activities sponsored around the United States 
every March in honor of St. Patrick's Day.
  Mr. Speaker, the idea for an Irish-American Heritage Month was first 
conceived by the late John W. O'Beirne, chairman of the American 
Foundation for Irish Heritage. The passage of this resolution will 
serve as a tribute to his hand work and dedication to increase the 
awareness of Irish-American heritage.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to sponsor this resolution which remembers 
the millions of Irish who died or were forced to flee Ireland during 
the Great Potato Famine and pays tribute to their descendants in the 
United States who continue to contribute to all facets of American 
culture.
  Again, I would like to thank my friend Mr. Clay for bringing House 
Joint Resolution 401 to the floor today. I urge my colleagues to join 
me in supporting this important resolution.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased and honored to join in support 
of this resolution to honor Irish-American heritage. I commend my 
colleague from New York, Mr. Manton, for his leadership and support for 
this resolution.
  More than 40 million Americans trace their ancestral roots to 
Ireland, and are immensely proud of its rich heritage.
  The contributions of Irish Americans and that proud heritage are an 
integral part of American history from the American Revolution through 
today.
  It is little noted, but at one time our President, the Speaker of the 
House, and the Senate Majority Leader were all of Irish heritage. 
During the administration of John F. Kennedy, the Irish in America held 
the three highest elected offices in the land. In the modern era, 
former President Ronald Reagan proudly pointed to his Irish heritage 
and ancestral family links to Ballyporeen, County Tipperary, Ireland.
  The Irish have given much to American politics, and also in the areas 
of sports, law enforcement, commerce, law, our armed services, the 
arts, and literature. The Irish have contributed to this great Nation's 
history and culture. A month honoring that heritage is a fitting 
tribute to the numerous significant contributions of those of Irish 
heritage in American society.
  Yesterday, in Washington, we hosted Dick Spring, the Deputy Prime 
Minister and Foreign Minister of the Irish Republic. In addition, we 
are working to move OPIC legislation along in the Congress to 
facilitate up to $60 million in loan guarantees for Ireland to help 
foster the current peace process, a process that presents the best 
change in 25 years for peace in the North of Ireland.
  This is an important and critical moment of America's relationship 
with Ireland. The Irish in America will play a critical role in seeing 
that a lasting peace becomes a reality. I am gratified to report that 
Ireland is up front on America's agenda today.
  I am pleased to rise in support of this important measure, and I urge 
my colleagues to join in support of this timely resolution.
  Thank you.
  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Virginia?
  There was no objection.
  The Clerk read the joint resolution, as follows:

                             H.J. Res. 401

       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.

  The joint resolution was ordered to be engrossed and read a third 
time, was read the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider 
was laid on the table.

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