Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                           SR 77
Office of Senate Floor Analyses
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                                 THIRD READING
Bill No:      SR 77
Author:       McGuire (D)
Introduced:   3/11/24
Vote:         Majority
SUBJECT: Irish American Heritage Month
SOURCE: Author
DIGEST: This resolution, in honor of the 100th anniversary of diplomatic
relations between the United States and Ireland and the multitude of contributions
that Irish Americans have made to make this a better country and state for all
people, designates March 2024 to be Irish American Heritage Month in California,
and calls upon the people of the state to observe the month of March with
appropriate ceremonies, programs, and activities, especially on March 17, because
everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day.
ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings:
1) The United States recognized and established diplomatic relations with the Irish
   Free State in 1924. The year 2024 marks 100 years of diplomatic relations
   between the United States and Ireland, a milestone that will be celebrated in
   both countries.
2) Millions of Irish people, faced with severe hardship due to famine and poverty
   in their nation, immigrated to the United States over the last several centuries in
   search of a more promising future for themselves and their families. The
   journey to America from the Emerald Isle was not paved with gold. The Irish
   spirit of determination, perseverance, and grit prevailed against dangerous seas
   and deadly conditions with their hearts set on the horizon.
3) Irish Americans initially suffered prejudice and discrimination upon first
   arriving in the United States. As the years went on, Irish Americans became
   deeply integrated into their communities and made numerous contributions to
   all aspects of American society and culture. Irish Americans played vital roles
   in the development of the United States. Nine Irish Americans were signers of
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    the Declaration of Independence, and 23 Presidents of the United States have
    been of Irish heritage, including John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton,
    George H. W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden.
4) Many people of Irish descent have contributed to great movements that have
   helped to shape our country and its role in the world. Irish Americans have also
   played a major role in California politics as governors, legislative leaders, city
   mayors, and other public officials, who have worked tirelessly to build
   California into the state that it is today.
5) There is significant economic reciprocity between California and Ireland,
   including Ireland as the seventh largest source of foreign direct investment
   through wholly foreign-owned enterprises in California, and there is work
   underway to further build these relationships. There exists a longstanding and
   richly multifaceted relationship between California and Ireland. The first
   Consulate General of Ireland opened in the City of San Francisco in 1933, and
   the second Consulate General of Ireland opened in the City of Los Angeles in
   2019, which reinforces the strong and vibrant connections between California
   and Ireland built on shared heritage, values, and ambition.
6) Today, over 35,000,000 Americans claim Irish heritage, and they continue to
   contribute to the politics, economy, and culture of the United States and
   California.
This resolution, in honor of the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between
the United States and Ireland and the multitude of contributions that Irish
Americans have made to make this a better country and state for all people,
designates March 2024 to be Irish American Heritage Month in California, and
calls upon the people of the state to observe the month of March with appropriate
ceremonies, programs, and activities, especially on March 17, because everyone is
Irish on St. Patrick’s Day.
Related/Prior Legislation
The following resolutions designated March as Irish American Heritage Month in
California:
   ACR 149 (Gallagher, 2024, pending in the Assembly).
   ACR 156 (Mullin, Resolution Chapter 39, Statutes of 2022).
   ACR 43 (Mullin, Resolution Chapter 19, Statutes of 2021).
   ACR 34 (Mullin, Resolution Chapter 27, Statutes of 2019).
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FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No          Fiscal Com.:   No   Local: No
SUPPORT: (Verified 3/13/24)
None received
OPPOSITION: (Verified 3/13/24)
None received
Prepared by: Jonas Austin / SFA / (916) 651-1520
3/13/24 13:46:13
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