HomeMy WebLinkAboutIrish-American Heritage Month March 2013C CITY OF
ITY OF
CAPE CANAVERAL
WHEREAS, by 1776, nearly 300,000 natives of Ireland had emigrated to the
colonies that would become the United States; and
WHEREAS, five signers of the of the Declaration of Independence were of
Irish descent and three signers were Irish born; and
WHEREAS, Irish Americans helped to fashion a system of government for
your young Nation; and
WHEREAS, twenty -two U. S. Presidents have proudly proclaimed their Irish
American heritage; and
WHEREAS, in 1792, Irish born James Hoban provided the architectural plans
for the White House and served as one of the supervising architects for the construction of the
Capitol; and
WHEREAS, Irish born Commodore John Barry was recognized by the United
States Congress in September of 2002 as the "First Flag Officer of the United States Navy ";
and
WHEREAS, Commodore John Barry fought the last sea battle of the American
Revolution off the coast of Florida; and
WHEREAS, the Irish first came to Spanish `2a Florida" in the 1500s — first as
missionaries and mercenary soldiers and then as planters, traders, businessmen, doctors and
administrators; and
WHEREAS, Andrew Jackson, whose family came from County Antrim, served
as Florida's military governor following its acquisition by the United States; 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 and cultural heritage
and the many valuable contributions of Irish Americans.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Rocky Randels, Mayor of the City of Cape
Canaveral, Brevard County, Florida, do hereby proclaim the month of March 2013, as
IRISH- AMERICANHERITAGE MONTH
In the City of Cape Canaveral and do hereby encourage our citizens to observe the month by
participating in appropriate ceremonies and activities.
-A" /v *4 a r_