Presidential Documents

10159 

Federal Register 

Vol. 75, No. 43 

Friday, March 5, 2010 

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 IrishAmerican 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. 

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10160 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 43 / Friday, March 5, 2010 / Presidential Documents 

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. 

[FR Doc. 2010–4880 

Filed 3–4–10; 8:45 am] 

Billing code 3195–W0–P 


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