[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 58 (Tuesday, April 21, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H4543-H4544]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IRISH-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 254) recognizing the designation of March 2009 as 
Irish-American Heritage Month and honoring the significance of Irish-
Americans in the history and progress of the United States, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 254

       Whereas from the earliest days of the Nation, America has 
     inspired the hopes and dreams of countless individuals from 
     around the world in search of a better life for themselves 
     and their children;
       Whereas these individuals have come to share in America's 
     gifts of freedom, justice, and opportunity, and, in turn, 
     America's democracy and great diversity owe their success in 
     large part to these immigrants;
       Whereas, since before the United States was even founded, 
     Irish men and women undertook the perilous journey to make 
     their home in this place of hope and promise, making 
     inestimable contributions to their new country, both during 
     the struggle for independence and in the founding of the 
     republic;
       Whereas nine of the 56 signers of the Declaration of 
     Independence were of Irish origin and 19 Presidents of the 
     United States can proudly claim Irish heritage, including the 
     first President of the United States, George Washington;
       Whereas Irish immigrants who came to the United States 
     during the Great Famine of the 1840's helped transform 
     America's largest cities, building them into dynamic centers 
     of commerce and industry, and the cultural, economic, and 
     spiritual contributions of these immigrants continue to be 
     evident today throughout the United States;

[[Page H4544]]

       Whereas, with strength, courage, wit, and creativity, 
     Irish-Americans have flourished, making significant 
     contributions in all areas of American life;
       Whereas Irish-American writers such as Eugene O'Neill, F. 
     Scott Fitzgerald, and George Bernard Shaw transformed 
     American literature, entrepreneurs like Henry Ford helped 
     revolutionize American transportation and industry, 
     performers such as Gregory Peck, John Wayne, and Helen Hayes 
     enriched the arts, and social reformers such as suffragist 
     Leonora Barry and labor organizer Mary Kenney O'Sullivan 
     fought for the rights of others;
       Whereas Irish-Americans have served ably in their 
     communities in numerous capacities, such as public safety and 
     government, including four-term New York State Governor 
     Alfred E. Smith, and in the Armed Services in every war in 
     which the United States has ever fought, including patriots 
     such as Audie Murphy, America's most decorated soldier of 
     World War II;
       Whereas approximately one in four Americans trace at least 
     part of their ancestry to Ireland;
       Whereas generations of Irish-Americans have worked 
     alongside their fellow Americans to build a more perfect 
     Union, and the United States is a stronger country because of 
     them;
       Whereas it is fitting that the House of Representatives 
     honor the rich heritage, enduring contributions, and firm 
     values of the Irish-Americans who continue to enrich and 
     strengthen American families, communities, ideals, and 
     character; and
       Whereas President Barack Obama proclaimed March 2009 as 
     Irish-American Heritage Month: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes the significant contributions of Irish-
     Americans in the history and progress of United States; and
       (2) encourages Americans to celebrate Irish-American 
     heritage with appropriate ceremonies, programs, and 
     activities.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) and the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Chaffetz) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Massachusetts.


                             General Leave

  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Massachusetts?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. LYNCH. I now yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, representing the Committee on Oversight and Government 
Reform and being one of Irish heritage, I am happy to rise in support 
of this resolution, House Resolution 254, which is a bill to recognize 
the importance of Irish-American heritage and to honor the significance 
of Irish-Americans in the history of the United States.
  This bill was introduced by my friend and colleague last month, 
Carolyn McCarthy of New York, on St. Patrick's Day, and the Committee 
on Oversight and Government Reform amended the measure on April 2 in 
order that it be reported by unanimous consent.
  House Resolution 254 gives the Members of this Chamber the chance to 
honor the valuable contributions that Americans of Irish heritage have 
made to our country since its inception. In fact, nine of the 56 
signers of the Declaration of Independence were men of Irish origin, 
and Irish-Americans have served in the Armed Services for this country 
in every war in which the United States has ever fought. At least 19 
Presidents of the United States can claim Irish heritage, including our 
current President, Barack Obama.
  The works of Eugene O'Neill, F. Scott Fitzgerald and George Bernard 
Shaw remain invaluable parts of our literary history. Artists including 
Gregory Peck, John Wayne and Helen Hayes have helped enrich our 
Nation's culture, and social reformers such as suffragist Leonora Barry 
and labor organizer Mary Kenny O'Sullivan fought to extend basic rights 
to others. Henry Ford's assembly line revolutionized manufacturing, and 
Irish immigrants who settled here in the 1840s helped to make our 
largest cities into centers of commerce and industry.
  I would like to thank my colleague, the gentlelady from New York, 
Carolyn McCarthy, for sponsoring this measure. I would also like to 
thank the ranking member of the Committee on Oversight and Government 
Reform, the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa), for helping us to get 
it to the floor today.
  Many emigrated here from Ireland, hoping to share in our freedom and 
prosperity. In turn, they have helped to make our country great. For 
their countless contributions to American history and progress, I urge 
my colleagues to support the quick passage of House Resolution 254.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  What began with 300,000 Irish immigrants in 1776 has grown to more 
than 44 million Irish-Americans today. Throughout our Nation's history, 
the Irish who came to America saw the promise and hope for their 
future. Once here, they have been instrumental in building a Nation 
from the ground up--working on farms, constructing railways and 
creating major centers of commerce throughout the country. The Irish 
have done much to build up this country with their blood, sweat and 
tears. We have all seen countless ways in which these Irish-Americans 
have advanced our Nation politically, economically and culturally.
  Since first arriving here, the Irish in America have demonstrated a 
commitment to the growth and prosperity of the Nation through their 
talent and their values. Their contributions have represented the depth 
and breadth of American society from the most humble to the most 
exalted. Nineteen Presidents, including George Washington, and at least 
eight signers of the Declaration of Independence were of Irish 
ancestry. Two hundred sixty-three recipients of the Congressional Medal 
of Honor were born in Ireland, and the list of contributions by Irish-
Americans goes on: Elizabeth Cady Stanton's successful fight for 
women's voting rights; John Barry, the first flag officer of the United 
States Navy; James Hoban's architectural design for the White House; 
and Annie Moore's brave passage through Ellis Island as America's first 
immigrant.
  The Irish in America have recognized and have spread the message of 
opportunity as a result of their great success in our country. The 
history of our country has shown that the Irish have strengthened the 
United States in all facets of our growth and development. One in four 
Americans can trace part of their ancestry to Ireland, including 
ancestors on my mother's side of my family. Therefore, it is no wonder 
that the Irish in America have in the past and will continue in the 
future to strengthen and enrich our country.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support this resolution.
  Having no additional speakers, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I just want to thank the 
gentlelady from New York (Mrs. McCarthy). As others are, she is also 
traveling to Washington at this time, and wanted to be here for this 
resolution. I ask our colleagues to join Member Carolyn McCarthy in 
supporting the resolution.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 254, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
  The title was amended so as to read: ``A Resolution recognizing the 
contributions of Irish-Americans in the history and progress of the 
United States.''.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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