Explanation
Title
To declare March 17, 2005 St. Patrick's Day in Columbus.
Body
WHEREAS, for more than 100 years the Irish Clans of Columbus have gathered on March 17th, St. Patrick's Day, to celebrate their grand heritage by marching proudly through the streets of Downtown; and
WHEREAS, many of the strong men and women of earlier generations fled The Great Hunger in Ireland to come to a new life with new opportunities in Columbus; and
WHEREAS, so many of those proud Irish faced economic, religious and social discrimination with heads held high and shoulders squared, especially on the day when they marched in honor of St. Patrick; and
WHEREAS, those same Irish survived and prospered and built the infrastructure of Columbus, as well as large families that spread from old Irish Broadway, also known as Naghten Street, out to the North, South, East, and West ends of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, on March 17th this year, as we process together to the oldest Catholic church in Columbus, Holy Cross, we remember the contributions of those who came before us, AND those who stand with us, and thank God for the good fortune to be Irish; and
WHEREAS, Shamrock Club President Bob Basbagill hasn't lost his sense of humor in the wake of his recent devastating house fire, mentioning that unlike the Mayor, who has tried two times, he was successful in completing the job of burning down his house in only one try; and
WHEREAS, this year, our Irish community has come together in the grief of loss and in prayer and celebration of the lives of two friends and Shamrock Club past presidents, Art Hammill and Joe Conley; and
WHEREAS, despite this year of loss, together we show Columbus that our strength is in our people and our love and care for one another, and is reflected in the list of our 2005 Irish American honorees; and
WHEREAS, we recognize parade sponsor, the Shamrock Club of Columbus, and honor Irishman of the Year Dick Bolton, whose unselfish efforts for the Club never stopped after his tenure as president; Grand Marshall Bob Stark, who as membership chair is largely responsible for our burgeoning
numbers, now at nearly 1700; Member of the Year Msgr. John Kelly Cody, Club Chaplain, who has tirelessly offered prayers and consolation through this year's difficult losses, as well as a voice of calm and reason through occasional internal conflicts, and to Laura Conley, who was a source of inspiration to all as she supported her dear husband Joe through his last few months with us; and
WHEREAS, the Daughters of Erin honor Irish Woman of the Year Dawn Peterson and Member of the Year Peggy Fahy for always being there for the cause; and
WHEREAS, the Ancient Order of Hibernians honor Ron Hagan, Hibernian of the Year, Frank Doyle and Jamie Gaffney as the Commodore Berry Award winners; and Pat O'Connor as the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians Member of the Year, and
WHEREAS, Sean Moore of the Columbus Division of Fire has been honored by his brothers and sisters in the Emerald Society as Member of the Year; and
WHEREAS, together, as Clan na nGael, One Family Irish, representing the Shamrock Club of Columbus, the Daughters of Erin, the Emerald Society, the Irish Cultural Foundation, The Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Irish Living History Society, we all recognize and honor Joan Shanahan, our Clan na nGael award winner, for her humor, her loving example and constant work for the good of the both the Irish community and the larger Columbus community; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does hereby declare March 17, 2005 St. Patrick's Day in the City of Columbus.