[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 44 (Wednesday, March 6, 2013)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 14431-14432]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-05293]




                        Presidential Documents 



Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 44 / Wednesday, March 6, 2013 / 
Presidential Documents

[[Page 14431]]


                Proclamation 8934 of February 28, 2013

                
Irish-American Heritage Month, 2013

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                For more than two centuries, America has been made and 
                remade by striving, hopeful immigrants looking for a 
                chance to pursue their dreams. Millions among them were 
                born in Ireland, separated from our shores but united 
                by their belief in a better day. This month, we 
                celebrate the Irish-American journey, and we reflect on 
                the ways a nation so small has inspired so much in 
                another.

                Generations of Irish left the land of their forebears 
                to cast their fortunes with a young Republic. Escaping 
                the blight of famine or the burden of circumstance, 
                many found hardship even here. They endured prejudice 
                and stinging ridicule. But through it all, these new 
                citizens never gave up on one of our oldest ideas: that 
                anyone from anywhere can write the next great chapter 
                in the American story. So they raised families and 
                built communities, earned a living and sent their kids 
                to school. In time, what it meant to be Irish helped 
                define what it means to be American. And as they did 
                their part to make this country stronger, Irish 
                Americans shared in its success, retaining the best of 
                their heritage and passing it down to their children.

                That familiar story has been lived and cherished by 
                Americans from all backgrounds, and it reaffirms our 
                identity as a Nation of immigrants from all around the 
                world. So as we celebrate Irish-American Heritage 
                Month, let us retell those stories of sweat and 
                striving. And as two nations united by people and 
                principle, may America and Ireland always continue to 
                move forward together in common purpose.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim March 2013 as Irish-
                American Heritage Month. I call upon all Americans to 
                observe this month with appropriate ceremonies, 
                activities, and programs.

[[Page 14432]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-eighth day of February, in the year of our Lord 
                two thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
                seventh.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2013-05293
Filed 3-5-13; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F3