Here's hoping you have a terrific St. Patrick's Day.
I wanted to share 10 facts with you about Irish-Americans...
1) A majority of Irish-Americans are Democrats!
2) During the American Revolution, Irish immigrants fought the British to help America gain independence.
3) Nine of the 56 signatories of the Declaration of Independence were Irish-Americans.
4) Irish-Americans constitute 11% of the entire U.S. population.
5) Twenty-two of the 44 U.S. Presidents claim Irish ancestry.
6) The first immigrant to enter through Ellis Island was Irish.
7) An Irish-American architect designed the White House.
8) Over 35 million Americans claim Irish heritage, but only 4.6 million people live in the Republic of Ireland.
9) The first male and the first female to receive the Medal of Honor were Irish-Americans.
10) The first woman to explore space was Irish-American.
The Bigger Picture...
When you consider how many vital contributions have been made to our culture and progress as a nation by immigrants from all over the world, it is hard to fathom the positions of the Republican presidential candidates. Ironically, these candidates (and some of their wives) have immigrant ancestries. In fact, almost everyone in the United States comes from a long line of immigrants of various heritages.
We must ask our Republican counterparts, how many generations back are we to go? How many families do we plan to separate? How can we undo an American culture in which so many cultures are intertwined? In fact, is there an American culture left if the cultures of our immigrants are removed?
In our nation's history, what was the American Dream if there was not a path to citizenship? Why are we drawing the line now, more than two centuries after the adoption of our beloved Constitution? Is it because of the origin of the immigrants or the social prejudices against particular immigrant groups?
So, tonight, if you partake of some of that green beer, raise your glass and give a toast to immigrants. It will be a toast to everyone you know, and the diverse social fabric that makes this country great.
