THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE RESOLUTION

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.