HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 97-4634, by Representatives O'Brien, Romero, Constantine, Cairnes, Johnson, H. Sommers, Ballasiotes, Radcliff, Chopp, Kenney, Carlson, Blalock, Doumit, Morris, Dunshee, Hatfield and Kessler

      WHEREAS, Our democracy has been enriched by the countless immigrants who have made their way to our shores and added to this Nation's tremendous diversity; and

      WHEREAS, Irish immigrants transformed our Nation's largest cities into dynamic centers of commerce and industry, and their contributions to our smaller cities and towns are evident today in the cultural, economic, and spiritual makeup of the communities; and

      WHEREAS, Nine of the people who signed our Nation's Declaration of Independence were of Irish origin, and thirteen Presidents of the United States proudly claim Irish heritage; and

      WHEREAS, Through the years of America's greatest growth -- the building of the Erie Canal in the 1820's, the transcontinental railroad in the 1860's, and the first skyscrapers in the 1890's -- Irish-Americans gave their labor; and

      WHEREAS, The largest wave of Irish immigrants came in the late 1840's, when the Great Famine ravaging Ireland caused two million people to emigrate, mostly to American soil; and

      WHEREAS, Upon arrival, Irish immigrants faced "No Irish Need Apply" signs, but persevered and overcame prejudice; and

      WHEREAS, Today, millions of Americans of Irish ancestry continue to enrich all aspects of life in the United States; and

      WHEREAS, St. Patrick, born near the Severn in Britain probably in A.D. 389, is the patron saint of Ireland; and

      WHEREAS, Irish-Americans in communities all across the country celebrate St. Patrick's feast day with parades and the wearing of the green; and

      WHEREAS, On St. Patrick's Day, Irishness comes out in everybody;

      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives hereby honor the rich heritage of the millions of Americans who trace their lineage to Ireland by celebrating St. Patrick's Day.

      I hereby certify this to be a true and correct copy of

      Resolution 4634 adopted by the House of Representatives

                          March 17, 1997.

                 ________________________________

                  Timothy A. Martin, Chief Clerk