HomeMy WebLinkAboutIrish American Heritage Month March 4
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WHEREAS, by 1776, nearly 300,000 Irish nationals emigrated to the American colonies and
. played a crucial role in America's War for Independence; and five signers of the Declaration of
*114 Independence were of Irish decent and three signers were Irish born;and
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WHEREAS,eighteen Presidents have proudly proclaimed their Irish American heritage;and in
1892, 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 2002 as the "First Flag Officer of the United States Navy"; and 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 "La .Floridd' in the 1500s — first as missionaries
and mercenary soldiers and then as planters, traders, businessmen, doctors and administrators; and
three Spanish Governors of"La Floridd'were actually Irish military officers;and
WHEREAS,Fr. 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, 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
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Rocky Randels, Mayor of the City of Cape Canaveral, Brevard County,
Florida,do hereby proclaim the month of March 2015,as:
IRISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
In the City of Cape Canaveral and do hereby encourage our citizens to- observe the month by
participating in appropriate ceremonies and activities.
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