Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 11

Introduced by Senator Corbett

(Coauthor: Assembly Member Mullin)

February 14, 2013

Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 11—Relative to Irish American Heritage Month.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

SCR 11, as introduced, Corbett. Irish American Heritage Month.

This measure would designate March 2013 as Irish American Heritage Month in honor of the multitude of contributions that Irish Americans have made to the country and state.

Fiscal committee: no.

WHEREAS, Millions of Irish people, faced with severe hardship
due to famine and poverty in their nation, immigrated to the United
States over the last several centuries in search of a more promising
future for themselves and their families; and

WHEREAS, The journey to America from the Emerald Isle was
not paved with gold. The Irish spirit of determination, perseverance,
and grit prevailed against dangerous seas and deadly conditions
with their hearts set on the horizon; and

WHEREAS, Irish Americans initially suffered prejudice and
discrimination upon first arriving in the United States. As the years
went on, Irish Americans became deeply integrated in their
communities and made numerous contributions in all aspects of
American society and culture; and

WHEREAS, Irish Americans played vital roles in the
development of the United States. Nine Irish Americans were
signers of the Declaration of Independence, and 22 Presidents of
the United States have been of Irish heritage, including John F.
Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama; and

WHEREAS, Many people of Irish descent have contributed to
great movements that have helped to shape our country and its
role in the world, including Mother Jones, labor activist; Lucy
Burns, activist in the Women’s Movement; and Senator George
Mitchell, negotiator of the Irish Peace Accord; and

WHEREAS, Irish Americans have also played a major role in
California politics as governors, legislative leaders, city mayors,
and other public officials, who have worked tirelessly to build
California to the state that it is today; and

WHEREAS, Irish Americans were significantly involved in the
development of infrastructure throughout the United States,
especially in California. This included work on railroads and
bridges that connected the west to the east. The Irish were also
instrumental in the building of dams, roads, canals, and buildings
that expanded greatly in the late 1800s; and

WHEREAS, Many Irish Americans have made their mark as
peace officers and firefighters, and have risked or lost their lives
on countless occasions in carrying out their duties; and

WHEREAS, Many outstanding soldiers, never to be forgotten,
who fought for American freedom in the Revolutionary War were
of Irish descent. Irish Americans have proudly served with
distinction in every war that this nation has fought and continue
to do so today; and

WHEREAS, Many Irish Americans have contributed greatly to
the United States economy in business, including: Henry Ford,
founder of the Ford Motor Company; Alexander Stewart, the
inventor of the American department store; Cathleen Black,
president of Hearst Publishing; Jack Welch, former president and
chief executive officer of General Electric; and Herb Kelleher,
cofounder of Southwest Airlines; Paul Adams of Facebook; John
Donahoe, chief executive officer of eBay, Inc.; Conrad Burke,
founder of Innovalight; and Maggie Sullivan Wilderotter, chief
executive officer of Frontier Communications; and

WHEREAS, Irish Americans have contributed to the field of
science, including astronaut Michael Collins, first female
commander of a space shuttle, Eileen Collins, physicist and Nobel
Laureate Charles Townes, and bioengineer and MacArthur “Genius
grant” recipient James Collins; and

WHEREAS, Irish Americans have contributed to the American
literary tradition through great authors, including Flannery
O’Connor, Eugene O’Neill, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Mary McCarthy,
Tom Clancy, and Frank McCourt; and

WHEREAS, Irish Americans have contributed to American
entertainment with such stars as actors Jack Nicholson, John
Wayne, and George Clooney; actor and comedian Bill Murray;
actress Grace Kelly; actress and comedian Rosie O’Donnell; actor
and singer Bing Crosby; actress and singer Rosemary Clooney;
actress and singer Judy Garland; comedian Conan O’Brien; and
actor and director Edward Burns, all being of Irish heritage; and

WHEREAS, Today, over 34 million Americans claim Irish
heritage, and they continue to contribute to the American and
California politics, economy, and culture; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the Senate, in honor of the multitude of
contributions that Irish Americans have made to make this a better
country and state for all people, designates March 2013 to be Irish
American Heritage Month in California, and calls upon the people
of the state to observe the month of March with appropriate
ceremonies, programs, and activities, especially on March 17,
since everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.