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Paterson: "Happy St. Patrick's Day" |
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New York State News
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Written by Gov. Paterson's Office
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Tuesday, 17 March 2009 09:56 |
 “New York held its first St. Patrick’s Day
Parade in 1762 to honor the memory and the good works of the patron
saint of Ireland. Today’s celebration serves a dual purpose: honoring
the memory of St. Patrick and celebrating the culture and history of
the Irish people.
“St. Patrick was wrested from his family
at a young age and spent six years as a slave in Ireland. While held
captive, he developed a steely determination and an unshakeable faith
that would shield him from the horrors of captivity and inspire him to
one day return to Ireland as a missionary. That Irish fortitude flowed
in the blood of the immigrants who centuries later left their homeland
for the New World. Like so many who came to our shores before and
after, they saw America as an escape from poverty, disease and
oppression.
“We are fortunate that so many of those
Irish immigrants made their homes in our State, with more than 420,000
people of Irish ancestry living in New York City alone at the start of
this decade. Each of these Irish-Americans wove themselves into the
fabric of New York, and New York as we know it today would not exist
without them.
“So while I encourage all New Yorkers to
enjoy today’s celebration, I ask you to do so with reverence for Irish
history, with respect for the memory of St. Patrick, and with a
plateful of corned beef and cabbage. On behalf of the people of New
York, I wish all Irish-Americans, even those who are only ‘Irish for a
day,’ a happy St. Patrick’s Day.”
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