Irish-American Heritage Month, 2024

Proclamation 10704 of February 29, 2024

Irish-American Heritage Month, 2024

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

During Irish-American Heritage Month, we honor our
Irish ancestors, all those who carry on their legacies,
and the values that have always bound Ireland and the
United States together.

These values--including determination, decency, and
dignity--have been passed down from generation to
generation in families like my own and have been
grafted into the American character. Last year, I had
the honor of visiting the home of some of my Irish
ancestors, including the Blewitts of County Mayo and
the Finnegans of County Louth. As I traveled across
Ireland, I learned the true meaning of the Gaelic
expression, ``a hundred thousand welcomes.'' I was
reminded that everything between Ireland and America
runs deep--from our history and sorrow to our future
and joy. But more than anything, hope is what beats in
the hearts of all of our people.

For centuries--even during times of darkness and
despair--hope has kept us marching forward toward a
better future. It is what led so many of our Irish
ancestors to leave the only place they had ever called
home and seek a new beginning in the United States. It
is what drove generations of Irish immigrants to help
build the foundations of America with grit and
persistence, even as they endured discrimination and
were denied opportunity. It is what continues to drive
tens of millions of Irish Americans across our country
to stand up for greater dignity, liberty, and
possibilities for all. As we celebrate the 100th
anniversary of United States-Irish diplomatic relations
this year, hope remains the bedrock of our partnership,
as evidenced by our work together to stand with the
brave people of Ukraine in the face of Russian
aggression, combat the climate crisis, and advance
workers' rights across both of our nations.

In the years ahead, I look forward to strengthening the
partnership and friendship between the people of
Ireland and America even further. United by history,
heritage, and hope, nothing is beyond our reach.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of
the United States of America, by virtue of the
authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws
of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 2024 as
Irish-American Heritage Month. I call upon all
Americans to celebrate the achievements and
contributions of Irish Americans to our Nation with
appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-ninth day of February, in the year of our Lord
two thousand twenty-four, and of the Independence of
the United States of America the two hundred and forty-
eighth.