Explanation
Title
To declare March 17, 2006 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 in Columbus; and
WHEREAS, so many of those proud Irish faced economic, religious and social persecution 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 out to the North, South, East, and West ends of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, on March 17th this year, 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, this year marks the 70th Anniversary of the founding of the Shamrock Club, parade sponsors; and
WHEREAS, today, tomorrow and always we will honor the wishes of the Shamrock Club's first president, James A. Devine, and the 31 Irish Catholic men who joined him to form the Club primarily to honor St. Patrick, patron saint of Ireland, with a formal procession to Mass on March 17, come rain, shine or snow, this year again at Holy Cross Church, and
WHEREAS, our strength is in our people, and our love and care for one another, and is reflected in the list of our 2006 Irish American honorees; and
WHEREAS, 2006 Shamrock Club President Tom Byrne has lead the Club forward while honoring its traditions, and
WHEREAS, this year Mr. Byrne says it's good to have that that old Irish tradition, nepotism, back in style, as he honors his favorite uncle and mentor Joseph H. Byrne as Parade Marshal, and as his mother Dorothy Byrne is honored to carry the big stick of the "Big Dog," and
WHEREAS, we honor Irishman of the Year Judge John A. Connor, for his sense of humor, his style and honor in the face of adversity, and his service to Franklin County citizens; Members of the Year Sandy Beech, for his artful creativity, and Brian Morse, club cowboy, whose hard work has helped to beautify our Castle Road location; Vivian Lermond for her special achievements, adding popular theater projects to our list of attractions; Kathleen Crossin, Shamrock Club resident interior designer, Richard Haggard, in-house information technology specialist, and gifted craftsman Harold Hughes for his work on our Club's interior, and
WHEREAS, the Daughters of Erin and president Karen Frantz honor Irish Woman of the Year Patti Ardrey and Member of the Year Loriann McCarthy for always being there for the cause; and
WHEREAS, the Ancient Order of Hibernians Patrick Pearce division and president Glenn Hagan honor J.D. Richardson, Hibernian of the Year, and Patrick Fahy, Commodore Berry Award winner; and the AOH Father William J. Corby division and president Rick Lovell honor the Chalmers C. Wylie Veterans' Hospital, and the Ladies AOH Countess de Markievicz division and president Toni Dodge honor Sister Christella Ritchey, O.S.F., chaplain, as Member of the Year, for nourishing our souls; 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 Mike McConahay, our Clan na nGael award winner, for his efforts to unite the Irish community in darts and in prayer; 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.