H.R. No. 792
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, St. Patrick's Day provides a fitting opportunity to
honor the many contributions that individuals of Irish descent have
made to the Lone Star State; and
WHEREAS, One of the earliest Irish residents of Texas was
Hugh O'Connor, who served as governor of the Spanish territory from
1767 to 1770; natives of Ireland also played a central role in the
settlement of Texas in the early 1800s, including empresarios James
McGloin, John McMullen, and James Power, who brought dozens of
Irish families to South Texas and the Gulf Coast; and
WHEREAS, All three of these men participated in the Texas
Revolution, as did Irishmen such as John Joseph Linn, Francis
Moore, Jr., and Thomas William Ward; a dozen individuals from the
Emerald Isle died defending the Alamo, and 100 Irish-born troops
helped win the independence of Texas in the decisive Battle of San
Jacinto; and
WHEREAS, The number of immigrants from Ireland grew
dramatically in the mid-1800s, and several prominent Irish natives
made their mark during that period; Samuel McKinney was an early
president of Austin College, Father Michael Sheehan established the
first Catholic church in Austin and became one of the first
full-time Catholic chaplains in the U.S. Army, and Peter Gallagher
served as a Texas Ranger and helped organize Pecos County; later in
the 19th century, Irishman John William Mallet served as the first
faculty chairman at The University of Texas at Austin, and artist
Henry Arthur McArdle produced many famous paintings inspired by
Texas history, some of which now hang in the State Capitol; and
WHEREAS, With the passing decades, additional people from
Ireland found a new home in Texas, and they and the descendents of
previous immigrants have had an enduring influence on the state's
lifestyle and development; today, Irish culture is celebrated in
formal programs such as the Center for Irish Studies at the
University of St. Thomas in Houston, as well as in St. Patrick's Day
celebrations around Texas, and it is appropriate to join with
thousands of residents in recognizing the significant role that
Irish Americans have played in the story of the Lone Star State;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby recognize St. Patrick's Day 2009 and honor the
contributions of Texans of Irish descent.
Patrick
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 792 was adopted by the House on March
17, 2009, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House