Skip to main content

President Obama Declares March as Irish Heritage Month, 2010


From long before American independence to today, countless individuals have reached our shores, bringing vibrant cultures and diverse roots, and immeasurably enriching our Nation. This month, we honor the contributions made by the tens of millions of Americans who trace their heritage to the Emerald Isle.

Irish Americans fought for our independence, and their signatures adorn our founding documents. When famine ravaged Ireland in the 1840s and 1850s, many Irish men and women sought a new beginning in the United States. Though they faced poverty and discrimination, these immigrants transformed our cities, served in our Armed Forces, and settled the frontiers of our young Nation. Their children, and succeeding generations of Irish Americans, have preserved their culture's values while becoming leaders in every facet of American life.

During this year's Irish-American Heritage Month, we also celebrate an extraordinary Irishman: Senator Edward M. Kennedy. Throughout his career in public service, Senator Kennedy worked tirelessly to create opportunity for all Americans. His legacy lives on in the legislation he championed, which will bolster and protect the health, education, and civil rights of Americans for generations to come.

Across the Atlantic, the people of Ireland continue to confront their own challenges with resolve and determination. In the face of violence perpetuated by some -- testing a hard-earned peace -- the people of Northern Ireland have responded heroically. Undaunted, they and their leaders persist on the road to peace and prosperity enshrined over a decade ago in the Good Friday Agreement. The United States remains committed to supporting the political process and the work of those who have shown leadership in pursuit of a lasting peace.

Today, the sons and daughters of Erin can look back with pride on their many contributions to the civic and cultural life of America. Like so many of our Nation's ethnic communities, Irish Americans are a people whose hard work and resilience have brought them great opportunity and success, and whose service to our Nation has left it a better place.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by the virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States do hereby proclaim March 2010 as Irish-American Heritage Month. I call upon all Americans to observe this month by celebrating the contributions of Irish American to our Nation with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

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

BARACK OBAMA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Rolling Stone Magazine Endorses Joe Biden

  Rolling Stone Magazine , the rock n roll lifestyle magazine founded in 1967, has endorsed Joe Biden as President of the United States in the 2020 Presidential Election. The editorial states that Biden "evinces competence, compassion, steadiness, integrity and restraint. Perhaps even more important in this moment, Biden holds a profound respect for the institutions of American democracy, as well as a deep respect for how our government - and our system of checks and balances - is meant to work; he aspires to lead the nation as its president, not its dictator." Read the Rolling Stone endorsement here.
Post a Comment
Read more

JFK Library Hosts Virtual Forum on The 2020 Elections, featuring Journalists E.J Dionne, Kimberly Atkins, Janet Hook and Karen Tumulty

  The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum in Boston, Massachusetts holds a virtual forum  from 6 - 7:30 on Monday, October 19, 2020 entitled The 2020 Elections: What's Next?  The forum includes Kimberly Atkins , senior opinion writer at  The Boston Globe ;   EJ Dionne ,  Washington Post  columnist and political commentator; and  Janet Hook , staff writer at  The Los Angeles Times.     Washington Post  columnist  Karen Tumulty is the moderator. Register for this free virtual  Kennedy Library Forum  to receive an email reminder with a viewing link before the event. Here is a schedule of upcoming Forum events hosted by the JFK Library. Read more about the Irish connections of the Kennedy family here.
Post a Comment
Read more

U.S. Special Envoy to Northern Ireland Joseph Kennedy to Lead a Business Delegation to Northern Ireland

U.S. Special Envoy to Northern Ireland for Economic Affairs Joseph P. Kennedy, III , today announced the first four members of his business delegation to Northern Ireland, which will take place October 24 to 26, 2023. Members of the delegation will include: The Honorable Thomas P. DiNapoli, Comptroller, State of New York Mark Hartney, Breakthrough Energy Ventures John Murphy, President and Chief Financial Officer, The Coca-Cola Company Tim Sweeney, President and Chief Executive Officer, Liberty Mutual Insurance The delegation will engage with a wide range of business leaders in Northern Ireland, including employers who have started or grown operations over the past 25 years. Special Envoy Kennedy’s travel follows President Biden’s announcement of the delegation in April during his remarks at Belfast’s Ulster University. The trip will highlight progress made in the 25 years since the signing of the Belfast / Good Friday Agreement, and the important role U.S. investors have made in pres
Post a Comment
Read more