[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 43 (Tuesday, March 29, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H2023]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                    HONORING THE ELLIS ISLAND TARTAN

  (Mr. LANCE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. LANCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the 10th annual 
celebration of Tartan Day on Ellis Island.
  The tartan is the definitive symbol of Scotland. No other fabric or 
pattern is so steeped in tradition, and for the past 10 years, Tartan 
Day on Ellis Island has promoted Scottish history, heritage, and 
culture under the leadership and guidance of the Clan Currie Society, 
one of the largest Scottish heritage organizations in the United 
States. This year, the Clan Currie Society will be unveiling a new 
American tartan, the Ellis Island tartan, in honor of National Tartan 
Day on April 6.
  The American tartan's fabric is steeped in colors that represent the 
experiences of all of those who have traveled to the United States over 
the last century in search of the American Dream. The tartan's blue 
illustrates the great Atlantic Ocean, the copper-green in honor of the 
Statue of Liberty, red signifying the bricks of the historic buildings 
on Ellis Island, and the gold representing America's golden door, 
walked through by millions as they looked to this new land as the land 
of opportunity.
  I ask all of my colleagues to join me in honoring and congratulating 
Mr. Bob Currie and the entire Clan Currie Society in the unveiling of 
this American tartan, the Ellis Island tartan, and for their years of 
hard work honoring and recognizing the contributions that Scots and 
Scottish Americans have made to our great Nation.

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