BILL ANALYSIS
------------------------------------------------------------
|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SCR 17|
|Office of Senate Floor Analyses | |
|1020 N Street, Suite 524 | |
|(916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) | |
|327-4478 | |
------------------------------------------------------------
THIRD READING
Bill No: SCR 17
Author: Corbett (D)
Amended: As introduced
Vote: 21
WITHOUT REFERENCE TO COMMITTEE OR FILE
SUBJECT : Irish American Heritage Month
SOURCE : Author
DIGEST : This resolution designates March 2009 as Irish
American Heritage Month in honor of the multitude of
contributions that Irish Americans have made to the country
and state.
ANALYSIS :
This resolution states that:
1. 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.
2. Irish Americans initially suffered prejudice and
discrimination upon first arriving in the United States.
As the years went on, Irish Americans became very
involved in the community and made numerous
CONTINUED
SCR 17
Page
2
contributions in all aspects of American society and
culture, especially in California.
3. Irish Americans played vital roles in the development of
the United States. Nine Irish Americans were signers of
the Declaration of Independence, and 19 Presidents of
the United States have been of Irish heritage, including
John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, and Bill Clinton.
4. 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.
5. Irish Americans have also played a major role in
California politics. Many governors, legislative
leaders, city mayors, and other public officials who
have shaped the development of California over the years
have been of Irish descent.
6. Irish Americans were very involved in the development of
infrastructure throughout the United States and
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.
7. Many Irish Americans have made their mark in pursuit of
public safety and have risked or lost their lives on
countless occasions in carrying out their duties.
8. Irish Americans have served with distinction in every
war that this nation has fought. Many of the
outstanding soldiers who fought for American freedom in
the Revolutionary War were of Irish descent. Since
then, Irish Americans have sacrificed their lives in
every other war in which the United States has fought.
9. Many Irish Americans have contributed greatly to the
United States economy in business, including Henry Ford;
Alexander Stewart, the inventor of the American
SCR 17
Page
3
department store; and Cathleen Black, president, Hearst
Magazines.
10. 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.
11. 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; and actor and director Edward
Burns being of Irish heritage.
12. Today, over 44 million Americans claim Irish
heritage, and they continue to contribute to the
American and Californian political, economical, and
cultural landscape.
This resolution provides that the Legislature, 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 2009 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.
FISCAL EFFECT : Fiscal Com.: No
RJG:nl 2/25/09 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: NONE RECEIVED
**** END ****