SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 473

WHEREAS, Saint Patrick's Day is a celebration of Irish heritage, and this occasion provides an opportunity to honor the many contributions that individuals of Irish descent have made to the Lone Star State; and

WHEREAS, One of the earliest Irish residents of Texas was Hugh O'Connor, who served as governor of the Spanish territory from 1767 to 1770; natives of Ireland also played a central role in the settlement of Texas in the early 1800s, including empresarios James McGloin, John McMullen, and James Power, who brought dozens of Irish families to South Texas and the Gulf Coast; and

WHEREAS, All three of these men participated in the Texas Revolution, as did Irishmen such as John Joseph Linn, Francis Moore, Jr., and Thomas William Ward; a dozen individuals from the Emerald Isle died defending the Alamo, and 100 Irish-born troops helped win the independence of Texas in the decisive Battle of San Jacinto; and

WHEREAS, The number of immigrants from Ireland grew dramatically in the mid-1800s, and several prominent Irish natives made their mark during that period; Samuel McKinney was an early president of Austin College, Father Michael Sheehan established the first Catholic church in Austin and became one of the first full-time Catholic chaplains in the United States Army, and Peter Gallagher served as a Texas Ranger and helped organize Pecos County; later in the 19th century, Irishman John William Mallet served as the first faculty chairman at The University of Texas at Austin, and artist Henry Arthur McArdle produced many famous paintings inspired by Texas history, some of which now hang in the State Capitol; and

WHEREAS, With the passing decades, additional people from Ireland found a new home in Texas, and they and the descendents of previous immigrants have had an enduring influence on the state's lifestyle and development; today, Irish culture is celebrated in formal programs such as the Center for Irish Studies at the University of Saint Thomas in Houston, as well as in statewide Saint Patrick's Day celebrations, and it is appropriate to join with thousands of other residents in recognizing the significant role that Irish Americans have played in the story of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 80th Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the state's vital Irish heritage and extend Happy Saint Patrick's Day wishes to all Irish Americans. Patrick

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 15, 2007.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate