1 STATE OF OKLAHOMA
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2 2nd Session of the 59th Legislature (2024)
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3 SENATE
3 RESOLUTION 29 By: Boren
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6 AS INTRODUCED
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7 A Resolution observing the long friendship between
7 Oklahoma and Ireland; commemorating the celebration
8 of St. Patrick’s Day; commemorating the 100th
8 anniversary of diplomatic relations between Ireland
9 and the United States; and directing distribution.
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11 WHEREAS, Oklahoma and Ireland have enjoyed a long friendship
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12 that predates Oklahoma’s statehood and Ireland’s independence. In
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13 1846, just a few years after the Trail of Tears, the Choctaw people,
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14 learning of the Irish famine, donated $170.00, a fortune at the
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15 time, especially after enduring their own hardships, in order to
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16 help the Irish people; and
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17 WHEREAS, Ireland commemorated that gift with the dedication of
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18 the Kindred Spirits sculpture, featuring a circle of eagle feathers,
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19 in County Cork in 2017. The Choctaw Nation announced plans in 2023
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20 to erect a tribute to their connection with Ireland, the Eternal
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21 Heart sculpture, depicting a Celtic Trinity knot intertwined with a
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22 heart; and
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23 WHEREAS, many Oklahomans have Irish ancestry and continue to
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24 celebrate that culture through traditional music, dance, and food,
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 1 and through festivals and celebrations, particularly in March,
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2 including the Tulsa Irish Fest, ShamROCK the Gardens in Oklahoma
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3 City, and the Stockyards St. Patrick’s Parade, as well as other
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4 celebrations throughout the state; and
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5 WHEREAS, all Oklahomans are Irish on March 17, St. Patrick’s
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6 Day, honoring the Patron Saint of Ireland and celebrating Irish
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7 heritage; and
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8 WHEREAS, Oklahoma joins other states throughout the country in
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9 celebrating the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between
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10 Ireland and the United States, which officially began on October 7,
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11 1924.
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12 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE 2ND SESSION
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13 OF THE 59TH OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE:
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14 THAT the Oklahoma Senate recognizes the state’s long history and
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15 friendship with Ireland.
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16 THAT the Oklahoma Senate commemorates March 17 as St. Patrick’s
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17 Day.
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18 THAT Oklahoma commemorates the 100th anniversary of diplomatic
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19 relations between Ireland and the United States.
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20 THAT a copy of this resolution be distributed to Senator Mark
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21 Daly, Chair of the Senate of Ireland.
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23 59-2-3623 MB 3/5/2024 2:31:02 PM
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