Mark Souder: “From the very beginning, the United States has been changed for the better by its citizens of Irish descent. Nineteen…”

“From the very beginning, the United States has been changed for the better by its citizens of Irish descent. Nineteen Presidents, including George Washington, and at least eight signers of the Declaration of Independence were of Irish ancestry; 263 recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor were born in Ireland, as was John Barry, the first flag officer of the United States Navy. And the list of contributions of Irish Americans goes on: Elizabeth Cady Stanton's successful fight for women's voting rights, James Hoban's architectural design for the White House, and Annie Moore's brave passage through Ellis Island as America's first immigrant. What began as 300,000 Irish immigrants in 1776 has grown to 44 million Irish Americans today. In recognition of the countless ways in which these Irish Americans have advanced our Nation politically, economically and culturally, I rise today in support of H. Res. 733.”