Assembly Resolution No. 898

BY: M. of A. Cusick

memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim March 2018, as Irish American Heritage
Month in the State of New York

WHEREAS, From America's earliest days, Irish immigrants and their
descendants have contributed leadership, wisdom, and vitality to
America, through nine signers of the Declaration of Independence and 22
Presidents with Irish roots as well as the indelible mark Irish
Americans have made in the shaping of the great State and City of New
York, through numerous Governors, Legislators, Mayors and public
officials; and

WHEREAS, Throughout their long history, the Irish have been ardent
in their passion for liberty, hatred of oppression and renowned for
their loyalty and thus, the Irish have, from the beginning, been
prominent in the defense of this Nation, with 20 of George Washington's
generals and an estimated quarter of his Army being composed of Irish
Americans, among them Timothy Murphy, a hero of the pivotal battle of
Saratoga, New York; and

WHEREAS, Irish Americans have distinguished themselves ever since
whenever their country has called on them, as typified in the storied
"Fighting 69th" of New York who fought with courage and sacrifice on the
Battlefields of the American Civil War, World War I and whose Gaelic
battle cry of "Faugh an Beallach" is still heard this day in Iraq and
Afghanistan in defense of our country; and

WHEREAS, The first Congressional Medal of Honor for the current
conflict in Afghanistan was awarded to Navy Seal Lieutenant Michael P.
Murphy of Smithtown, New York, who made the supreme sacrifice for his
country; and

WHEREAS, Millions of Irish arrived in New York City in the mid-19th
Century, escaping hunger and injustice in their homeland, and where New
York has long been a haven for immigrants, being the home of the "golden
door" of Ellis Island, where the first immigrant to enter through its
passages to a new life in America was 15 year-old Annie Moore of Cork,
Ireland; and

WHEREAS, Irish immigrants and their descendants have contributed to
the building of this great society not only by the laying of railroads
and the building of physical bridges, but also by building bridges of
the mind amongst all people through the founding of numerous schools,
colleges and universities, enhancing the quality of every phase of life
for all New Yorkers; and

WHEREAS, Irish American women have a long and proud tradition of
being visionaries and trailblazers, whether it be Annie Sullivan, the
teacher of Helen Keller, crusading journalist Nelly Bly or New York's
own Colonel Eileen Collins, the first woman to command a Space Shuttle;
and

WHEREAS, Since 1762, Irish New Yorkers have been faithfully
celebrating the feast of St. Patrick every March 17th, wherein they
renew their connections to the land of their ancestry, pass on their
traditions to the next generation, and share their pride through joyous
festivities enjoyed by all New Yorkers irrespective of ethnicity; and

WHEREAS, Irish Americans have made an indelible impression upon
every human endeavor in art, music, literature, science, film, dance,
theatre, sports, education, law, finance, and politics and shall
continue to embellish New York's shining future, reflecting the noble
past of this mighty race, with all the strength, resilience, humor and
hospitality of the Irish character; it is most fitting to set aside this
month to highlight and honor the history and heritage of the Irish
Americans and to remember and pay tribute to the contributions they have
made to our State and our Nation; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 2018, as Irish
American Heritage Month in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York.