Bill Text: CA SR77 | 2023-2024 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Relative to Irish American Heritage Month.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2024-03-14 - Read. Adopted. (Ayes 39. Noes 0. Page 3298.) [SR77 Detail]
Download: California-2023-SR77-Enrolled.html
|
Enrolled
March 15, 2024 |
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Passed
IN
Senate
March 14, 2024 |
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE—
2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION
Senate Resolution
No. 77
| Introduced by Senator McGuire |
March 11, 2024 |
Relative to Irish American Heritage Month.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SR 77, McGuire.
Digest Key
Bill Text
WHEREAS, The United States recognized and established diplomatic relations with the Irish Free State in 1924; and
WHEREAS, The year 2024 marks 100 years of diplomatic relations between the United States and Ireland, a milestone that will be celebrated in both countries; and
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 into their communities and made numerous contributions to 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 23 Presidents of the United States have been of Irish heritage, including John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, George H. W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden; 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; Kate Kennedy, known for the “equal pay for equal work” campaign; Lucy Burns, activist in the women’s suffrage movement; and Senator George J. Mitchell, negotiator of the Belfast Agreement; 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 into the state that it is today; and
WHEREAS, Irish Americans were significantly involved in the development of infrastructure throughout the United States, especially in the State of 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: Alexander Turney Stewart, the inventor of the American department store; Cathleen Black, former president of Hearst Publishing; Jack Welch, former president and chief executive officer of General Electric; Herb Kelleher, cofounder of Southwest Airlines; John Donahoe, chief executive officer of Nike, Inc.; Conrad Burke, founder of Innovalight, Inc.; Henry Ford, founder of Ford Motor Company; Richard and Maurice McDonald, founders of McDonald’s fast food; and Maggie Sullivan Wilderotter, chair of DocuSign; and
WHEREAS, Irish Americans have contributed to the field of science, including: astronaut Michael Collins; the first female commander of a space shuttle, Eileen Collins; physicist and Nobel Laureate Charles H. 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, There is significant economic reciprocity between California and Ireland, including Ireland as the seventh largest source of foreign direct investment through wholly foreign-owned enterprises in California, and there is work underway to further build these relationships; and
WHEREAS, There exists a longstanding and richly multifaceted relationship between California and Ireland. The first Consulate General of Ireland opened in the City of San Francisco in 1933, and the second Consulate General of Ireland opened in the City of Los Angeles in 2019, which reinforces the strong and vibrant connections between California and Ireland built on shared heritage, values, and ambition; and
WHEREAS, Today, over 35,000,000 Americans claim Irish heritage, and they continue to contribute to the politics, economy, and culture of the United States and California; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate, in honor of the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United States and Ireland and the multitude of contributions that Irish Americans have made to make this a better country and state for all people, designates March 2024 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, because 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 Ireland’s Ambassador to the United States, Geraldine Byrne Nason; Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann, Seán Ó Fearghaíl; Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann, Jerry Buttimer; Ireland’s Consul General to the Western United States, Micheál Smith; and to the author for further appropriate distribution.
