R 103

2003 -- H 6199

Enacted 03/18/03

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

COMMEMORATING THE CELEBRATION OF ST. PATRICK'S DAY

Introduced By: Representatives McCauley, Watson, and Fox

Date Introduced: March 18, 2003

     WHEREAS, St. Patrick, the apostle to Ireland, returned to the scene of his former

enslavement and single-handedly assaulted that stronghold of Druidism and, assimilating the

ancient, pagan, Irish myths into a Christian message, converted all Ireland to Christianity during

his lifetime; and

     WHEREAS, On this his feast, more than fifteen centuries after his death, Irish-Americans

– transplanted or descendent from those transplanted from the “old sod” – pay tribute to Patrick

and his love for Ireland; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Islanders of Irish lineage sing of their roots in Ballinamore and

Ballinasloe, in Ennistymon and Enniscorthy, in Cahirciveen and Castlebar and Skibbereen and

Skerries; they sing the sad songs of love and the joyous songs of battle in nostalgic reveries of the

sorrows and the glories of the Emerald Isle, living for a day in the spirit of Saints Patrick, Bridget

and Columcille and the mythical wonders of Cuchullain, Finn, Osian and Deirdre of the Sorrows;

now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby commemorates the celebration of the feast of St. Patrick, the

patron saint of Ireland.

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LC02835

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