[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 11 (Thursday, February 12, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E166]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN COMMEMORATION OF SAINT DAVID'S DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JERRY LEWIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 12, 1998

  Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Saint 
David, the Welsh Patron Saint. Many of my friends and colleagues may 
not know that I am of Welsh descent--but then again maybe my name, 
Lewis, gives me away. I am very proud of the Welsh blood running 
through my veins. What American wouldn't be if he knew just how many 
great Americans were also Welsh! Let me take a moment to share some 
interesting facts with you.
  Did you know that twenty percent of our Pilgrim Fathers were Welsh? 
Almost fifty percent of the signers of the American Declaration of 
Independence were also Welsh or of Welsh heritage--as were nine of the 
Presidents of the United States, including John Adams, Thomas 
Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, John Quincy Adams and Abraham 
Lincoln. There are just too many great Welsh-Americans to name!!
  Another interesting fact I would like to share with you pertains to 
Saint Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland. Did you know that Saint 
Patrick was really a Welshman? As a boy of sixteen, Patrick was taken 
from the Welsh village where he was born by an Irish slave trading 
party. He was a slave in Ireland until the age of twenty-two, when he 
escaped and returned to Wales. Later, he became a priest and was sent 
back to Ireland where the Welshman Patrick became revered as Saint 
Patrick of Ireland.
  When you are in Washington, D.C., the more athletically-inclined 
Welsh among you might like to hike half-way up the stairs in the 
Washington Monument to read an inscription there: ``Fy Iaith, Fy 
Ngwlad, Fy Nghenedl, Wales--Cymru Am Byth.'' My language, my country, 
my nation, Wales--Wales forever!
  On March 1st, Welsh Americans across the Nation will honor the birth 
of Saint David, the Patron Saint of Wales. At the Welsh Presbyterian 
Church in Los Angeles, the Welsh Choir of Southern California will give 
its premiere performance, conducted by famous, Welsh-born Hollywood 
composer Michael Lewis! I know that this concert will be a treat for 
all who hear it. I only wish I could be present!
  I would say to my colleagues, let us all remember that March 1st is 
the birthday of Saint David, the Patron Saint of Wales.

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