[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 21 (Tuesday, February 25, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S1574]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    SENATE RESOLUTION 59--DESIGNATING IRISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

  Mr. KENNEDY (for himself, Mr. Mack, Mr. Moynihan, and Mr. D'Amato) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
on the Judiciary:

                               S. Res. 59

       Whereas by 1776 nearly 300,000 persons had emigrated to the 
     United States from Ireland;
       Whereas following the Revolutionary War victory of 
     Washington's troops at Yorktown, a French Major General 
     reported that Congress and America owed its existence, and 
     possibly its preservation, to the support of the Irish;
       Whereas at least 8 signers of the Declaration of 
     Independence were of Irish origin;
       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, including the first President, George 
     Washington;
       Whereas 44 million American citizens are of Irish descent; 
     and
       Whereas the Irish and their descendants have contributed 
     greatly to the enrichment of all aspects of life in the 
     United States, including military and government service, 
     science, education, art, agriculture, business, industry, and 
     athletics: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates the month of March of each year as ``Irish 
     American Heritage Month''; and
       (2) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
     designating the month of March of each year as ``Irish 
     American Heritage Month'' and calling on the people of the 
     United States to observe the month with appropriate 
     ceremonies and activities.

  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, on behalf of Senator Mack, Senator 
Moynihan, Senator D'Amato, and myself, I am proud to submit a Senate 
resolution designating the month of March each year as ``Irish-American 
Heritage Month.''
  Since 1621, when the first Irish settlers arrived on our shores, 
Americans of Irish descent have made invaluable contributions to all 
aspects of American life. Between 1840 and 1910, more than 3 million 
Irish immigrants reached our shores and contributed immensely to the 
development of our country.
  In fact, this year marks the 150th anniversary of the Great Famine in 
Ireland that led to one of the most tragic migrations in history. The 
potato crop failed, and hundreds of thousands fled in desperation to 
the New World. They found hope and opportunity and new lives in 
America. They powered our industrial revolution. They took jobs as 
laborers. They dug the canals. They built the railroads that took 
America to the West. Even today, it is said that under every railroad 
tie, an Irishman is buried. In a very real sense, their greatest legacy 
is our modern nation.
  Today, over 44 million Americans are of Irish descent. They are proud 
of America and proud of their Irish heritage, and it is a privilege to 
introduce this legislation designating the month of March in the years 
ahead as ``Irish-American Heritage Month.''

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