HomeMy WebLinkAboutAmerican Heritage Month 2026 ProclamationPROCLAMATION
VILLAGE OF NORTH PALM BEACH
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
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 1972 Irish born James Hoban provided the architectural plans for 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 five (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 schools in
America and opened it to both boys and girls of all races; and
WHEREAS, Andrew Jackson, whose family came from the 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
WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper to celebrate the cultural heritage and the many valuable contributions
of Irish Americans
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY The Village of North Palm Beach that July is recognized
as:
IRISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
in the Village of North Palm Beach, Florida, and encourage all residents to observe, recognize, and
celebrate the culture, heritage and contributions of Irish Americans to our country, state, county and
village.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the Village of North Palm Beach
to be affixed this 9th day of March, 2026.
Deborah Scaky, Mayor