[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 41 (Thursday, March 17, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E519]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CAROLYN McCARTHY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 17, 2011

  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr Speaker, Happy St. Patrick's Day! 
Originally a religious holiday, today St. Patrick's Day is largely an 
international celebration of Irish culture. I urge my colleagues and 
fellow Americans to embrace this day. Today, one in four Americans 
traces at least part of their ancestry to Ireland. Irish-Americans have 
provided the backbone of our workforce, enlivened our art and culture, 
defended our country, and served in this Congress and as President of 
the United States. Great Irish-Americans such as Eugene O'Neill and F. 
Scott Fitzgerald transformed American literature, innovators like Henry 
Ford helped revolutionize American transportation, and who can forget 
Presidents like Andrew Jackson, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, and Ronald 
Reagan, each Irish-American alike. Irish-Americans continue to 
contribute to our nation as they ably serve in their communities in 
numerous capacities. It is for all of these reasons that I support the 
designation of March as Irish-American Heritage Month and encourage 
Americans to celebrate Irish-American heritage. I'm proud to stand 
today with my colleagues, those lucky enough to be Irish-American, as 
well as those who aren't, and honor this group that has been so 
important to our nation on this St. Patrick's Day.

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