01-23-2015 Request to Mayor for Proclamation - Irish American Heritage Month23 January 2015
Ancient Order of Hibernians
Ambassador Daniel M. Rooney, Division 1
Palm Beach County, Florida
Friendship, Unity & Christian Charity
Village Clerk
Mayor Darryl C. Aubrey, Sc-D. JAN 2 9- Z015
Village of North Palm Beach
501 US Highway 1 Received
North Palm Beach, FL 33408 -4901
Dear Mayor Darryl C. Aubrey, Sc.D.,
Once again, Florida's Irish American community will be celebrating its Irish heritage during the month
of March. Ever since the military governorship of Irish American Andrew Jackson, Irish Americans
in Florida have provided leadership and service to their state, counties, and local communities. Irish
Floridians can look back with pride on the legacy of their Irish forebears, who have contributed
significantly to education, business, sports, literature, science, engineering, medicine, science and the
arts. Today, we continue to recognize and honor the service of our current State, County and Town/City
Council leaders and the contributions of fellow Irish Floridians.
In the past, March has been designated "Irish American Heritage Month" throughout the United States
to coincide with the celebration of St. Patrick's Day on the 17th. Across the State of Florida, the Ancient
Order of Hibernians and other Irish organizations will be conducting parades, celebrations and cultural
events -- including my own Division in Melbourne.
The Florida Ancient Order of Hibernians respectfully requests that your office issue a Proclamation
designating March 2015 as "Irish American Heritage Month" in recognition of the long history of Irish
American contributions to the State of Florida. To assist you in this request, I have taken the liberty of
providing a few "WHEREAS" for your consideration and possible use.
On behalf of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in America, I would like to thank you for your kind
consideration of this request. Should you have any questions or need additional information, please do
not hesitate to contact me.
In Friendship, Unity, & Christian Charity,
Peter Mullen
Palm Beach Co. Division 1, President
Peter Mullen, 190 Umbrella Place, Jupiter, FL 33458 -1625
Phone: (561) 529 -2022 Email: pdmultenlnu.jmail.com
Ambassador Daniel M. Rooney Division, Palm Beach County, Florida
Ancient Order of Hibernians
Ambassador Daniel M. Rooney, Division 1
Palm Beach County, Florida
Friendship, Unity & Christian Charity
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Suggested "WHEREAS" for Irish American Heritage Month
WHEREAS, by 1776 nearly 300,000 Irish nationals had emigrated to the American colonies and
played a crucial role in America's War for Independence; and
WHEREAS, five signers of the Declaration of Independence were of Irish descent and three signers
were Irish born; and
WHEREAS, Irish Americans helped to fashion a system of government for our young Nation; and
WHEREAS, twenty -two Presidents have proudly proclaimed their Irish American heritage; and
WHEREAS, in 1792 Irish born James Hoban provided the architectural plans for the the White House
and served as one of the supervising architects for the construction of the Capitol; and
WHEREAS, Irish born Commodore John Barry was recognized by the United States Congress in
September of 2002 as the "First Flag Officer of the United States Navy "; and
WHEREAS, Commodore John Barry fought the last sea battle of the American Revolution off the coast
of Florida; and
WHEREAS, in 1813, Captain Oliver Perry, An Irish American, achieved a major naval victory in the
Battle of Lake Erie; and
WHEREAS, in 1942, the 5 Sullivan brothers made the ultimate sacrifice for democracy and freedom
during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal and later had the Destroyer USS Sullivan commissioned in their
memory; and
WHEREAS, the Irish first came to Spanish "La Florida" in the 1500s - first as missionaries and
mercenary soldiers and then as planters, traders, businessmen, doctors and administrators; and
WHEREAS, three of the Spanish Governors of "La Florida" were actually Irish military officers; and
WHEREAS, Fr. Richard Arthur, an Irish -born priest from Limerick who was appointed parish priest
for St. Augustine in 1597 and ecclesiastical judge of "La Florida, " established the first public school in
America and opened it to both boys and girls of all races; and
WHEREAS, Andrew Jackson, whose family came from County Antrim, served as Florida's military
governor following its acquisition by the United States; and
WHEREAS, Irish Americans, since America's inception, have provided and continue to provide
leadership and service to this nation's political, business and religious establishments; and
WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper to celebrate the rich cultural heritage and the many valuable
contributions of Irish Americans
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Peter Mullen, 190 Umbrella Place, Jupiter, FL 33458 -1625
Phone: (561) 529 -2022 Email: pdmullenl&Qmail.com
Ambassador Daniel M. Rooney Division, Palm Beach County, Florida