President Obama Declares March 2012 as Irish-American Heritage Month

President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Enda Kenny, 2011

For centuries, America and Ireland have built a proud and enduring partnership cemented by mutual values and a common history. Generations of Irish have crossed the Atlantic in pursuit of prosperity, and today nearly 40 million of their proud descendants continue to make their indelible mark on the United States of America. Their stories, as varied as our Nation's people, humble us and inspire our children to reach for the opportunities dreamed about by our forebears.

Over hundreds of years, Irish men, women, and children left the homes of their ancestors, watching the coasts of Donegal and the cliffs of Dingle fade behind them. Boarding overcrowded ships and navigating dangerous seas, these resilient travelers looked to the horizon with hope in their hearts. Many left any valuables, land, or stability they had behind, but they came instead with the true treasures of their homeland -- song and literature, humor and tradition, faith and family. And when they landed on our shores, they shared their gifts generously, adding immeasurable value to towns, cities, and communities throughout our Nation.

Today, we draw on the indomitable spirit of those Irish Americans whose strength helped build countless miles of canals and railroads; whose brogues echoed in mills, police stations, and fire halls across our country; and whose blood spilled to defend a Nation and a way of life they helped define. Defying famine, poverty, and discrimination, these sons and daughters of Erin demonstrated extraordinary strength and unshakable faith as they gave their all to help build an America worthy of the journey they and so many others have taken. During Irish-American Heritage Month, we recall their legacy of hard work and perseverance, and we carry forward that singular dedication to forging a more prosperous future for all Americans.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 2012 as Irish-American Heritage Month. I call upon all Americans to observe this month by celebrating the contributions of Irish Americans to our Nation.

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

BARACK OBAMA

To read the White House press release, click here.

To get involved in the Obama reelection campaign, visit Barack Obama.

Comments

Joe Biden Announces Kamala Harris as his Vice-President Running Mate

Here is Joe Biden's statement on his selection of Kamala Harris to be his Vice-President running mate in the 2020 election: You make a lot of important decisions as president. But the first one is who you select to be your Vice President. I’ve decided that Kamala Harris is the best person to help me take this fight to Donald Trump and Mike Pence and then to lead this nation starting in January 2021. These aren’t normal times. For the first time in our history, we’re facing three historic crises -- all at the same time. We’re facing the worst pandemic in 100 years. The worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. The most powerful calls for racial justice in a generation. And we have a president who has both failed to lead on the virus -- costing lives and decimating our economy -- and fanned the flames of hate and division. I need someone working alongside me who is smart, tough, and ready to lead. Kamala is that person. I need someone who understands the pain that so many peo...

United States - Northern Ireland Economic Conference Set for October 19 in Washington D.C.

The U.S. State Department is hosting a one-day economic conference to showcase American investment opportunities in Northern Ireland on Tuesday, October 19, 2010, at the U.S. State Department. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will preside over the conference of 70-80 participants. The conference was announced on March 17, 2010 following a meeting with President Barack Obama, Secretary Clinton and leaders from Northern Ireland, according to Declan Kelly , US Envoy to Northern Ireland. First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness are expected to represent Northern Ireland at the conference. Executives from American corporations already doing business in Northern Ireland will share their experiences with corporate executives who are considering investment there. Key partners involved in the conference include Tourism Ireland , the U.S. Consulate in Belfast and the Ireland Funds . For a full list of partners, click here . The conference is part of an ongoing...

President Obama Urges Congress to Pass Immigration Reform Legislation this Year

This week, President Barack Obama urged Republicans and Democrats alike to pass an Immigration Reform bill this year. Speaking at the White House and surrounded by business officials, community leaders, religious clergy and immigration experts, the president expressed an urgency to "modernize our legal immigration system, so that even as we train American workers for the jobs of the future, we’re also attracting highly-skilled entrepreneurs from beyond our borders to join with us to create jobs here in the United States." Read the full text of the speech here. Find out more about the White House immigration reform initiative . Follow Irish Americans for Obama on twitter .

Irish Americans for Biden Harris

Search This Blog