The Ancient Order of Hibernians are waiting for it.
So are a lot of others.
But almost half way into the month of March there is no sign of the traditional statement from the White House proclaiming the third month of the year as Irish American Heritage Month.
said a statement from the Hibernians: "For more than three decades, presidents of both political parties have issued annual proclamations recognizing March as Irish American Heritage Month. As of the morning of March 13, however, nearly halfway through the month, no such proclamation has been issued this year."
Neil Cosgrove, National Irish American Heritage Month Chair of the Ancient Order of Hibernians - the nation’s largest Irish American organization - has written to President Donald J. Trump, urging the White House to continue the long-standing tradition of formally recognizing the heritage of more than thirty million Americans of Irish descent.
Cosgrove said the absence of the proclamation is becoming increasingly noticeable as St. Patrick’s Day approaches and communities across the country mark the month with cultural and civic events.
Added the AOH release: "Since 1991, presidents have traditionally announced Irish American Heritage Month at the end of February or at the beginning of March so that communities, schools, and civic organizations can observe the full month.
In his letter to the President, Cosgrove noted that the White House has issued several official messages during the first days of March recognizing other observances, including Women’s History Month, Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, the 65th anniversary of the Peace Corps, and several America 250 commemorations.
“These are all worthy recognitions,” Cosgrove wrote. “Yet Irish American Heritage Month, representing the heritage of more than thirty million Americans, has thus far gone unmentioned by the White House, even as nearly half the month has already passed.”
Cosgrove also highlighted the historic ties between Irish immigrants and the founding of the United States. Three signers of the Declaration of Independence were born in Ireland, four others were descendants of Irish immigrants, the Secretary of the Continental Congress who authenticated the document was born in Derry, the Declaration was printed by an immigrant from Tyrone, and it was first publicly proclaimed by Colonel John Nixon, the son of a Wexford immigrant.
“As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of its independence,” Cosgrove wrote, “Americans will increasingly reflect on the people and communities whose labor, sacrifice, and faith helped build this country. Irish Americans have been part of that story from the beginning.”
Cosgrove urged that the long-standing presidential tradition of recognizing Irish American Heritage Month be honored before more of the month elapses.
Here is the full text of the letter to President Trump.
Mr. President,
I write respectfully as an Irish American and as a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, an organization that for nearly two centuries has encouraged civic participation and preserved the heritage of Irish Americans. For many years, Presidents of the United States, Republican and Democrat alike, have issued proclamations recognizing March as Irish American Heritage Month, acknowledging the contributions of more than thirty million Americans who trace their ancestry to Ireland.
As of today, the morning of March 13, however, no such proclamation has been issued this year. Traditionally, Presidents have announced Irish American Heritage Month at the end of February or on March 1 so that the full month may be observed.
This absence is difficult to understand. During the first days of March, the White House has issued a number of official messages recognizing other observances, including Women’s History Month, Holi, Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, the 65th anniversary of the Peace Corps, and several America 250 commemorations, including the anniversary of the Boston Massacre, the birthday of Alexander Graham Bell, and the life of Harriet Tubman. These are all worthy recognitions. Yet Irish American Heritage Month—a long-standing national observance—has thus far gone unmentioned, even as one-third of the month has already passed.
Irish Americans have long taken pride in their commitment to the land of our birth and the heritage of our ancestors. That connection reaches back to the founding of the Republic itself. Three signers of the Declaration of Independence were born in Ireland, four others were the descendants of Irish immigrants, the Secretary of the Continental Congress who authenticated the document was born in Derry, the Declaration itself was printed by an immigrant from Tyrone, and it was first publicly read by the son of an immigrant from Wexford.
For that reason, presidential recognition of Irish American Heritage Month has long carried special meaning for our community. It is a simple but important acknowledgment of the role Irish Americans have played in the life of this nation and continue to play today.
As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of its independence, Americans will increasingly reflect on the people and communities whose labor, sacrifice, and faith helped build this country. Irish Americans are part of that story, and the continued recognition of Irish American Heritage Month affirms that history.
I respectfully urge that this long-standing presidential tradition be honored this year before more of the month elapses.
The letter is signed by Neil Cosgrove in his capacity as National Irish American Heritage Month Chair, Ancient Order of Hibernians.
