PRINTER'S NO. 2550
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
305
Session of
2024
INTRODUCED BY DALEY, O'NEAL, GALLAGHER, R. MACKENZIE, VENKAT,
HARKINS, PICKETT, FLICK, BRENNAN, KINSEY, SCHLOSSBERG,
DONAHUE, PIELLI, HOHENSTEIN, KAZEEM, SANCHEZ, GUENST, JAMES,
JOZWIAK, MALAGARI, HILL-EVANS, CONKLIN, HADDOCK, DELLOSO,
HOWARD, HEFFLEY AND KHAN, JANUARY 31, 2024
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TOURISM AND ECONOMIC AND RECREATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT, JANUARY 31, 2024
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing March 17, 2024, as "St. Patrick's Day" and
designating October 7, 2024, as "The 100th anniversary of
diplomatic relations between Ireland and the United States of
America Day" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, A native of Roman Britain, Patrick was the son of a
civil servant and deacon; and
WHEREAS, Tradition has it that at 16 years of age, Patrick
was captured along with all the servants of his father's estate
by Irish marauders, then sold to a Druid chief and taken to what
is now known as County Antrim, in the Province of Ulster,
Ireland; and
WHEREAS, During his six years of captivity, Patrick's
occupation as a slave was the tending to flocks of swine and
sheep; and
WHEREAS, While in captivity, Patrick learned the Irish
language and customs; and
WHEREAS, During this period, Patrick experienced a religious
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awakening with the Christian teachings of his family and pastors
taking hold; and
WHEREAS, Driven by visions urging him to return to his native
land, Patrick escaped his captors, undertaking a perilous
journey in the process; and
WHEREAS, Upon his return home, Patrick dedicated his life to
religion, studying in France where he was ordained as a priest
and later consecrated as a bishop; and
WHEREAS, It was the example and fervor of Patrick's faith
that inspired him to continue learning and to pass along his
teachings to those in the British Isles and the rest of Europe;
and
WHEREAS, Patrick's uplifting messages helped to sustain the
people of Ireland through famine, oppression and exile; and
WHEREAS, It was his faith that earned Patrick not only
sainthood, but the everlasting love and respect of the Irish
people and many others throughout the world; and
WHEREAS, March 17, 461, is generally recognized as the date
of St. Patrick's death; and
WHEREAS, Each March, during annual parades and celebrations
honoring St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, Irish
Americans join with people of other ethnic origins in honoring
St. Patrick and demonstrating a mutual love for Ireland; and
WHEREAS, As we honor St. Patrick, whose life mirrored a deep
and abiding example of the challenges of sainthood, we are
mindful of the history of the Irish people and their struggle
against oppression, religious intolerance and political, social
and economic barriers; and
WHEREAS, Irish immigrants helped to form the cultural
foundation of the United States; and
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WHEREAS, Nearly 2 million Pennsylvanians, more than 15% of
this Commonwealth's population, are of Irish descent; and
WHEREAS, On October 7, 1924, Ireland opened diplomatic
relations with the United States when Timothy Smiddy presented
his credentials to President Calvin Coolidge; and
WHEREAS, Serving as a diplomat, Mr. Smiddy was the Minister
Plenipotentiary for what was then called the Irish Free State
and what we know today as the Republic of Ireland; and
WHEREAS, There had been American consular officials in
Ireland since the end of the 18th century, but true bilateral
relations were not possible until the southern part of Ireland
achieved independence from the United Kingdom supported by her
"exiled children in America" in December 1921; and
WHEREAS, Diplomacy, economics, education, nationalism,
tourism, culture, philanthropy and the circulatory movement of
capital have been major points of contact between Ireland and
the United States; and
WHEREAS, The Department of Community and Economic
Development's Office of International Business Development has
an in-market representative who works with companies in Ireland
to establish relationships with businesses across this
Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, Irish companies of all sizes and industries have
established ties with Pennsylvania's business community; and
WHEREAS, These companies include Burnside Autocyl, Eaton
Corporation, Endi International, Johnson Controls International,
Linde and Phorest; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize March
17, 2024, as "St. Patrick's Day" and designate October 7, 2024,
as "The 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between
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Ireland and the United States of America Day" in Pennsylvania.
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