Bill Text: PA SR203 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Recognizing October 2009 as "The Great Hunger Remembrance Month" in Pennsylvania.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 2-1)

Status: (Passed) 2009-10-08 - Introduced and adopted [SR203 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2009-SR203-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 1489
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No. 203 Session of2009
INTRODUCED BY STACK AND RAFFERTY, OCTOBER 8, 2009
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, OCTOBER 8, 2009
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing October 2009 as "The Great Hunger Remembrance Month"
in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, The Irish population exploded in the first half of
the 19th century, reaching about 8.5 million by 1845; and
WHEREAS, More than half the population of Ireland was
dependent on the potato as a source of food because this crop
produced more food per acre than wheat and could also be sold as
a source of income; and
WHEREAS, The type of potato most favored among the Irish was
the Arran Banner; and
WHEREAS, The Arran Banner was highly susceptible to the
fungus Phytophthora infestans, commonly known as blight, which
had spread from North America to Europe; and
WHEREAS, Blight destroyed the potato crop starting in the
autumn of 1845 and continuing through 1850; and
WHEREAS, The British Government's decision to continue to
export from Ireland food which could have fed starving people
several times over contributed to the Great Hunger; and
WHEREAS, The Great Hunger that plagued Ireland from 1845 to
1850 caused Ireland to lose 2 million people due to starvation,
disease and forced emigration; and
WHEREAS, Of those Irish who were forced to emigrate, nearly a
third died aboard crowded and rickety vessels known as "coffin
ships"; and
WHEREAS, The Irish who survived the journey to the United
States helped foster the growth of our cities, Commonwealth and
nation by digging canals, mining coal, building railroads,
founding steel companies and making significant contributions in
the fields of business, education, government, industry,
medicine, religion, science and philanthropy; and
WHEREAS, Today the spirit of the Irish who were affected by
the Great Hunger lives on in millions of Irish Americans;
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize October 2009 as "The
Great Hunger Remembrance Month" in Pennsylvania.
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