Explanation
Title
To recognize and celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Patrick Pearse, Franklin County, Ohio Division #1.
Body
Whereas, The Ancient Order of Hibernians was formed from a need in the early 1600's to protect the lives of priests; and
Whereas, The Order switched its focus to include supporting charitable activities of the Church, assisting new Irish immigrants in finding employment, and preserving the Irish language, history and culture; and
Whereas, The Ancient Order of Hibernians is the oldest Catholic Lay organization in America; and
Whereas, On June 13, 1979, a new division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians was formally organized in Columbus, by then National Director Michael Coogan of Dayton and Michael Muldowney of Bridgeport; and
Whereas, The new division was named for Patrick H. Pearse, poet, author, educator and commander-in-chief of the Irish Republican forces in the 1916 Irish Rebellion; and
Whereas, In 1997 the division reached the level of 300 members, making it the largest division in the State of Ohio and one of the largest in the country; and
Whereas, this year the AOH celebrates the 25th Anniversary of the Patrick Pearse Division whose charitable contributions have been felt community-wide; now , therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does hereby recognize and celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Patrick Pearse, Franklin County, Ohio Division #1.