1 Short Title: Resolution; observing the long friendship between
Oklahoma and Ireland.
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Subject(s): State Government
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Req. No. 10712
 1 STATE OF OKLAHOMA
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2 2nd Session of the 59th Legislature (2024)
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3 HOUSE
3 RESOLUTION 1029 By: Bennett and McBride
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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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12 WHEREAS, Oklahoma and Ireland have enjoyed a long friendship
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13 that predates Oklahoma's statehood and Ireland's independence. In
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14 1846, just a few years after the Trail of Tears, the Choctaw people,
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15 learning of the Irish famine, donated $170, a fortune at the time,
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16 especially after enduring their own hardships, in order to help the
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17 Irish people; and
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18 WHEREAS, Ireland commemorated that gift with the dedication of
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19 the Kindred Spirits sculpture, featuring a circle of eagle feathers,
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20 in County Cork in 2017. The Choctaw Nation announced plans in 2023
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21 to erect a tribute to their connection with Ireland, the Eternal
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22 Heart sculpture, depicting a Celtic Trinity knot intertwined with a
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23 heart; and
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Req. No. 10712 Page 1
 1 WHEREAS, many Oklahomans have Irish ancestry and continue to
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2 celebrate that culture through traditional music, dance, and food,
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3 and through festivals and celebrations, particularly in March,
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4 including the Tulsa Irish Fest, ShamROCK the Gardens in Oklahoma
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5 City, and the Stockyards' St. Patrick's Parade, as well as other
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6 celebrations throughout the state; and,
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7 WHEREAS, all Oklahomans are Irish on March 17, St. Patrick's
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8 Day, honoring the Patron Saint of Ireland and celebrating Irish
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9 heritage; and
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10 WHEREAS, Oklahoma joins other states throughout the country in
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11 celebrating the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between
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12 Ireland and the United States, which officially began on October 7,
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13 1924.
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14 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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15 OF THE 2ND SESSION OF THE 59TH OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE:
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16 THAT the Oklahoma House of Representatives recognizes the
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17 state's long history and friendship with Ireland.
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18 THAT the Oklahoma House of Representatives commemorates March 17
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19 as St. Patrick's Day.
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20 THAT Oklahoma commemorates the 100th anniversary of diplomatic
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21 relations between Ireland and the United States.
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Req. No. 10712 Page 2
 1 THAT a copy of this resolution be distributed to Senator Mark
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2 Daly, Chair of the Senate of Ireland.
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4 59-2-10712 LRB 03/07/24
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Req. No. 10712 Page 3