2025 -- S 0834

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

CELEBRATING ST. PATRICK’S DAY AND HONORS IRELAND’S ROLE IN THE UNITED

STATES WAR OF INDEPENDENCE

     Introduced By: Senators McKenney, LaMountain, Murray, Felag, Rogers, Euer, Urso,
Zurier, Acosta, and Ujifusa

     Date Introduced: March 18, 2025

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, On March 17th, during the annual celebration of the Feast of Saint Patrick,

the Patron Saint of Ireland, Irish Americans join with people of all ethnic origins who, for one

day, are considered honorary citizens of Ireland as they celebrate Saint Patrick and a love of all

things Irish; and

     WHEREAS, Wielding the devotion of his faith like a great sword of righteousness, and

using the strength of his intellect and the power of his passions, Saint Patrick assimilated the

ancient pagan Irish myths into a Christian message, and in so doing, converted all of Ireland to

Christianity during his lifetime; and

     WHEREAS, Irish immigrants to Rhode Island helped to form the cultural foundation of

our State, and Rhode Islanders of Irish lineage today proudly sing of their roots in Ballinamore

and Ballinasloe, in Ennistymon and Enniscorthy, in Cahirciveen and Castlebarr, and in

Skibbereen and Skerries; and

     WHEREAS, The songs of Ireland are the tragic songs of love and the joyous songs of

battle: the nostalgic reveries of the sorrows and the glories that are the Emerald Isle; and the

lamentations of life's myriad travails and the odes to joy and the life eternal; and

     WHEREAS, A century ago, in October of 1924, Ireland formally opened diplomatic

relations with the United States of America when Timothy Smiddy presented his credentials to

President Calvin Coolidge. Following the Irish people’s long and painful struggle for

independence, the U.S. was one of the first nations to recognize the fledgling Irish state earlier

that year, and when Smiddy emerged from the White House, he had become Ireland’s first

Ambassador to any country in the World; and

     WHEREAS, While the year 1924 marked the beginning of formal diplomatic relations,

the deep Irish American connection actually dated back centuries. In April of 1775, at Lexington

and Concord, the American War of Independence had begun with “the shot heard round the

world” which ultimately inspired Ireland to also struggle to create their own destiny and be free.

A short month later, with a group of Irish fishermen capturing the HMS Margaretta, and shortly

thereafter, with the capture the two additional vessels sent to reclaim the original ship, the Irish

began their fight for liberty; and

     WHEREAS, During those same tumultuous times, 176 Irish born men who came to be

known as the “Fighting Irish” as well as hundreds of Irish immigrants’ children, were among the

New England militiamen who were defending Boston Harbor. In addition, dozens of Irish and

Irish American officers fought and died at the Battle of Bunker Hill; and

     WHEREAS, Over the course of America’s fight for independence, many Irish born men

and those of Irish decent played key roles in America’s independence including, Colonel John

Stark, Major Andrew McClary, Captain Ebenezer Sullivan and his brothers, James and John, and

Commodore John Barry who became known as the “Father of the American Navy”; and

     WHEREAS, Today, nearly one tenth of Americans identify as being of Irish ancestry.

Irish immigrants helped build the America we know today, not only during America’s fight for

independence, but also in the physical infrastructure - the skyscrapers of Manhattan and the

transcontinental railroad – and also in the political construct that is America; and

     WHEREAS, Irish people have made an enormous contribution to public debate and

politics in America, from their representation in local communities right up to the White House,

including more than twenty American Presidents with some Irish ancestry; and

     WHEREAS, The influence of Irish Americans has also extended well beyond the Oval

Office and the Capitol Building, to every state within the Union, most evident by the significant

number of state legislators within the American Ireland State Legislators Caucus, which is open

to everyone of Irish Heritage and those who are supporters of Ireland; and

     WHEREAS, Since Timothy Smiddy’s momentous audience in the Oval Office more than

100 years ago, a further eighteen Irish Ambassadors have presented credentials to U.S.

Presidents. Over this time, Ireland’s relations with the United States have evolved and Ireland has

transformed and today is at peace, economically prosperous, and culturally vibrant due in part to

the support of friends in the United States and the crucial role America played in brokering peace

in Northern Ireland – culminating in the 1998 Good Friday Agreement; and

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     WHEREAS, The US-Irish relationship is a shining example of how ancestral ties,

historical connections, cultural affinities, and shared values can create a foundation for enduring

partnership and mutual prosperity. Irish American state legislators across the United States are

playing a vitally important role in fostering this partnership and ensuring that it continues and

flourishes for another century to come; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby celebrates St. Patrick’s

Day and honors Ireland’s role in the United States War of Independence; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Chair of the American Irish State

Legislators Caucus, Senator Mark Daly, the 24th Chair of the Senate of Ireland and to the

National Co-Chairs, Assemblywoman Carol Murphy, New Jersey; Assemblyman Robin Vos,

Wisconsin; Representative Brian Patrick Kennedy, Rhode Island; Assemblyman James

Gallagher; California; Representative Fran Hurley, Illinois; Representative Killian Timoney,

Kentucky; Representative John Lawn, Massachusetts; Representative Maureen Terry, Maine;

Senator Ogden Driskill, Wyoming; Senator Beth Mizell, Louisiana; Delegate Roger Hanshaw,

West Virginia; and Representative Marcus Evans, Illinois.

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