Irish-American Heritage Month, 2010

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 8479 of March 1, 2010

Irish-American Heritage Month, 2010

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

From long before American independence to today,
countless individuals have reached our shores, bringing
vibrant cultures and diverse roots, and immeasurably
enriching our Nation. This month, we honor the
contributions made by the tens of millions of Americans
who trace their heritage to the Emerald Isle.

Irish Americans fought for our independence, and their
signatures adorn our founding documents. When famine
ravaged Ireland in the 1840s and 1850s, many Irish men
and women sought a new beginning in the United States.
Though they faced poverty and discrimination, these
immigrants transformed our cities, served in our Armed
Forces, and settled the frontiers of our young Nation.
Their children, and succeeding generations of Irish
Americans, have preserved their culture's values while
becoming leaders in every facet of American life.

During this year's Irish-American Heritage Month, we
also celebrate an extraordinary Irishman: Senator
Edward M. Kennedy. Throughout his career in public
service, Senator Kennedy worked tirelessly to create
opportunity for all Americans. His legacy lives on in
the legislation he championed, which will bolster and
protect the health, education, and civil rights of
Americans for generations to come.

Across the Atlantic, the people of Ireland continue to
confront their own challenges with resolve and
determination. In the face of violence perpetuated by
some--testing a hard-earned peace--the people of
Northern Ireland have responded heroically. Undaunted,
they and their leaders persist on the road to peace and
prosperity enshrined over a decade ago in the Good
Friday Agreement. The United States remains committed
to supporting the political process and the work of
those who have shown leadership in pursuit of a lasting
peace.

Today, the sons and daughters of Erin can look back
with pride on their many contributions to the civic and
cultural life of America. Like so many of our Nation's
ethnic communities, Irish Americans are a people whose
hard work and resilience have brought them great
opportunity and success, and whose service to our
Nation has left it a better place.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, by the virtue of the
authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws
of the United States do hereby proclaim March 2010 as
Irish-American Heritage Month. I call upon all
Americans to observe this month by celebrating the
contributions of Irish American to our Nation with
appropriate ceremonies and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
first day of March, in the year of our Lord two
thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.