BILL ANALYSIS �
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UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Bill No: SCR 64
Author: Corbett (D), et al.
Amended: 5/1/12
Vote: 21
SENATE FLOOR : 38-0, 3/15/12
AYES: Alquist, Anderson, Berryhill, Blakeslee, Calderon,
Cannella, Corbett, Correa, De Le�n, DeSaulnier, Dutton,
Emmerson, Evans, Fuller, Gaines, Hancock, Harman,
Hernandez, Huff, Kehoe, La Malfa, Leno, Lieu, Liu,
Lowenthal, Negrete McLeod, Padilla, Pavley, Price, Rubio,
Simitian, Steinberg, Strickland, Vargas, Walters, Wolk,
Wright, Yee
ASSEMBLY FLOOR : Not available
SUBJECT : Irish American Heritage Month
SOURCE : Author
DIGEST : This resolution designates March 2012 as Irish
American Heritage Month in honor of the multitude of
contributions that Irish Americans have made to the country
and state.
Assembly Amendments add coauthors and change Presidents of
the United States of Irish heritage from 20 to 22.
ANALYSIS : Resolution findings:
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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
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 22 Presidents of
the United States have been of Irish heritage, including
John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, and Barack
Obama.
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 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.
7. 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
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duties.
8. Irish Americans have served with distinction in every
war that this nation has fought. Many 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 war
that the United States has fought.
9. 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.
10.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 recipient James
Collins.
11.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.
12.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 being of Irish heritage.
13.Today, over 44 million Americans claim Irish heritage,
and they continue to contribute to the American and
California politics, economy, and culture.
FISCAL EFFECT : Fiscal Com.: No
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SUPPORT : (Verified 5/10/10)
American Federation of State, County and Municipal
Employees, AFL-CIO
PQ:do 5/14/12 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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