HomeMy WebLinkAboutcocc_proclamation_irish-american_heritage_month_202303[City Seal]
Official
Proclamation
City Of
Cape Canaveral, Florida
WHEREAS, by 1776 nearly 300,000 Irish nationals had emigrated to the American
colonies and played a crucial role in America's War for Independence; and
WHEREAS, five signers of the Declaration of Independence were of Irish descent,
three signers were Irish born and at least twenty-two Presidents of have proudly
proclaimed their Irish American heritage; and
WHEREAS, Irish born Commodore John Barry fought the last sea battle of the
American Revolution off the coast of Florida and was recognized by the United States
Congress in September of 2002 as the "First Flag Officer of the United States Navy"; and
WHEREAS, the Irish first came to Spanish "La Florida" in the 1500s; first as
missionaries and mercenary soldiers and then as planters, traders, businessmen, doctors
and administrators and three of the Spanish Governors of "La Florida" were Irish military
officers; and
WHEREAS, Father Richard Arthur, an Irish-born priest from Limerick who was
appointed parish priest for St. Augustine in 1597 and ecclesiastical judge of "La Florida, "
established the first public school in America and opened it to both boys and girls of all
races; and
WHEREAS, Irish Floridians can look back with pride on the legacy of their Irish
forebears, who have contributed significantly to American education, business, sports,
literature, science, engineering, medicine, science and the arts; and
WHEREAS, Irish Americans, since America's inception, have provided and continue
to provide leadership and service to this nation's political, business and religious
establishments; and
WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper to celebrate the rich cultural heritage and the
many valuable contributions of Irish Americans.
NOW, THEREFORE, 1, Wes Morrison, Mayor of the City of Cape Canaveral, Brevard
County, Florida, do hereby proclaim the month of March 2023 as
IRISH-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
Signed and Sealed this 17th Day of February, 2023
Wes Morrison, Mayor
[embossed City Seal]