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Regular Session, 2012 ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 12
BY SENATOR MURRAY AND REPRESENTATI VE BROSSETT
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To commend the many contributions made by Irish-Americans toward the betterment of the
state and nation and to designate each March as Irish-American Heritage Month.
WHEREAS, it is most appropriate that the Legislature of Louisiana recognizes the
historic, cultural, social, and artistic contributions made to the enrichment of life in
Louisiana by those citizens of Irish-American lineage; and
WHEREAS, the sons and daughters of Erin (Ireland) came to make a new life in
America and settled throughout Louisiana ever since its earliest beginnings as a colony; and
WHEREAS, in the 1840s many immigrated from their homeland to port cities like
New Orleans, Lake Charles, and Baton Rouge to flee the horror and starvation of the
Great Hunger, An Gorta Mor; and
WHEREAS, as they left behind the familiar green hills of Ireland, the close-knit Irish
settled with their families into enclaves that became well-known neighborhoods such as the
Irish Channel and the Third Ward in New Orleans; and
WHEREAS, immediately Irish immigrants provided the essential labor force needed
for the enormous expansion of the Industrial Age in America, in particular the construction
of the infrastructure of metropolitan New Orleans, that included dangerous undertakings like
the New Basin Canal, where thousands of laborers perished from such perils as structural
collapse and mosquito-borne disease; and
WHEREAS, the Irish became factory workers, railroad builders, blacksmiths,
carpenters, wood carvers, shipbuilders, brick masons, boat-builders, stevedores, domestics,
bartenders, musicians, singers, and waiters, whose talent, hard work, and sheer determination
overcame countless obstacles to achieve success and find happiness in their new
surroundings; and SCR NO. 12 ENROLLED
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WHEREAS, they built beautiful and historic parish churches in Louisiana, each
resplendent with stained glass windows, beautifully carved wooden altars, and marble
statuary, and choir lofts filled with Irish tenor voices that sang out in praise of God's tender
mercies; and
WHEREAS, the Irish are a people of deep abiding faith, many of whom have taken
a vow of religious service and have ministered to their fellow man in the ecclesiastical
vocations of clergy and laity; and
WHEREAS, March 17
th
is the Roman Catholic saint's day for St. Patrick, the humble
and courageous patron saint of Ireland, who converted the Irish to Christianity; and
WHEREAS, since 1809, various cities throughout Louisiana have commemorated
their Irish heritage with parades and other festive events during the month of March; and
WHEREAS, the state of Louisiana is endowed with a colorful history enriched by
Irish-Americans whose contributions are an integral part of its unique culture and diversity.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
recognize the numerous contributions made to the state's history and betterment by
generations of Irish-Americans and does hereby designate March of each year as Irish-
American Heritage Month.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Joseph Casler, president of the Ancient Order of Hibernians of Louisiana, Inc.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES