[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 42 (Thursday, March 3, 2011)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 11929-11930]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-5029]




                        Presidential Documents 



Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 42 / Thursday, March 3, 2011 / 
Presidential Documents

[[Page 11929]]


                Proclamation 8629 of February 28, 2011

                
Irish-American Heritage Month, 2011

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Our diverse Nation has been shaped by the sacrifices 
                and successes of those who crossed both land and sea in 
                pursuit of a common dream. For millions of Americans, 
                this journey began in Ireland. In the wake of the Great 
                Hunger, many sons and daughters of Erin came to our 
                shores seeking a brighter day, with only courage and 
                the enduring values of faith and family to sustain 
                them. Alongside many others who sought a better life in 
                a new Nation, these intrepid immigrants built strong 
                communities and helped forge our country's future. 
                During Irish-American Heritage Month, we honor the 
                contributions Irish Americans have made, and celebrate 
                the nearly 40 million among us who proudly trace their 
                roots back to Ireland.

                From the earliest days of our Republic, the Irish have 
                overcome discrimination and carved out a place for 
                themselves in the American story. Through hard work, 
                perseverance, and patriotism, women and men of Irish 
                descent have given their brawn, brains, and blood to 
                make and remake this Nation--pulling it westward, 
                pushing it skyward, and moving it forward. Half a 
                century ago, John F. Kennedy became our first Irish-
                American Catholic President and summoned an expectant 
                citizenry to greatness. This year, as we commemorate 
                the 50th anniversary of President Kennedy's 
                inauguration, we recognize our 35th President and the 
                countless other Irish Americans whose leadership and 
                service have steered the course of our Nation.

                Seldom in this world has a country so small had so 
                large an impact on another. Today, the rich culture of 
                Ireland touches all aspects of American society, and 
                the friendship that binds Ireland and the United States 
                is marked by a shared past and a common future. As 
                communities across our country celebrate Irish-American 
                Heritage Month and St. Patrick's Day, our Nation pays 
                tribute to the proud lineage passed down to so many 
                Americans from the Emerald Isle.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, 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 2011 as Irish-
                American Heritage Month. I call upon all Americans to 
                observe this month by celebrating the contributions of 
                Irish Americans to our Nation.

[[Page 11930]]

                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-eighth day of February, in the year of our Lord 
                two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
                fifth.
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                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2011-5029
Filed 3-2-11; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3195-W1-P