[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 44 (Wednesday, March 6, 2002)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 10313-10314]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-5506]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 44 / Wednesday, March 6, 2002 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 10313]]


                Proclamation 7526 of March 2, 2002

                
Irish-American Heritage Month, 2002

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                America has been shaped by the principles of liberty 
                and freedom, guided by the pursuit of justice, and 
                enriched by the diversity of its people. Irish 
                Americans have been an essential part of this 
                development, greatly contributing to our Nation's 
                progress and prosperity.

                Our country's citizens come from diverse backgrounds 
                and cultures, which has enabled us to realize the 
                vision embodied in our first national motto: ``E 
                Pluribus Unum,'' meaning ``Out of many, one.'' Our 
                forbears discovered the value inherent in this ideal, 
                building a Nation where all people can live free, be 
                equal under the law, and find opportunity for success 
                in our free-enterprise system. From all points on 
                earth, people of different races, faiths, and 
                ethnicities came to this land to become Americans and 
                thus heirs and stewards of the Founders' vision. This 
                convergence of cultures contributed to the rich fabric 
                of our Nation, uniquely threading together many 
                divergent ideas, tastes, and traditions. Today, we 
                enjoy a society shaped by this history, one Nation 
                under one flag. Our Nation's response to the terrible 
                events of September 11 demonstrated vividly the reality 
                of the unity and resolve of our diverse people.

                Since our Nation's founding, millions of Irish have 
                emigrated to this country to embrace the vibrant 
                promise of new opportunity that America offers. Some 
                came to America seeking the freedom to worship as they 
                pleased. Others came in the wake of the devastating 
                Irish potato famine of 1845-1849, which caused 1 
                million deaths in Ireland and led nearly 1.5 million 
                Irish to emigrate. And the many successes of the Irish 
                immigrants in America proved to be a continuing draw to 
                their friends and family who remained in Ireland. The 
                Irish brought with them a spirit of life and an ethic 
                of work that helped to enliven our culture and enabled 
                them to prosper in their new land.

                George Washington's Continental Army had over 20 
                generals of Irish descent. Americans proudly claiming 
                Irish heritage have held positions of national 
                leadership, including Presidents George Washington, 
                Andrew Jackson, John F. Kennedy, and Ronald Reagan and 
                Supreme Court Justices William J. Brennan, Jr., and 
                Sandra Day O'Connor. And numerous Irish Americans have 
                enjoyed great success in the arts and entertainment 
                field, including Buster Keaton, Stephen Foster, and F. 
                Scott Fitzgerald.

                Throughout our history, America has been greatly 
                blessed by the innumerable contributions of Irish 
                Americans. This month we celebrate these great people 
                and the heritage of their beautiful ancestral homeland, 
                Ireland.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United 
                States, do hereby proclaim March 2002 as Irish-American 
                Heritage Month. I call upon all Americans to observe 
                this month by learning about and commemorating the 
                contributions of Irish Americans.

[[Page 10314]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                second day of March, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand two, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and twenty-sixth.

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 02-5506
Filed 3-5-02; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P