Title
To declare Wednesday, March 17, 2004 St. Patrick's Day in Columbus, Ohio.
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, Shamrock Club President Tim Feeney is the third of his Clan to lead our parade, beginning at the very beginning with his great-great grandfather, Patrick Egan in the 19th century, then by his great-grandfather Michael Ryan in the 20th century, and Tim himself representing 21st century Irish Americans here in Columbus, and
WHEREAS, on March 17th this year, as we march together to the oldest Catholic church in Columbus, Holy Cross, to join together in celebration and prayer, 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 we know that just as the strength of Columbus is in its people, so too is that strength reflected by the contributions of this year's Irish American honorees, recognized by Columbus's Irish cultural and religious organizations, and
WHEREAS, we recognize the parade sponsor and organizer, the Shamrock Club of Columbus, and honor Irishman of the Year and City employee David Hartigan, especially for his work with the Irish C...
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