Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, today I join with
millions around the globe to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. The United
States of America would not be the country we are today without the
enormous contributions of millions of Irish immigrants and their
descendants. From serving in every war our country has ever faced and leading our
country at every level of government, Irish Americans have done it all. Today, more than 33 million Irish Americans claim Irish ancestry. Tragically, our country didn't always welcome the Irish. During the
late 19th and 20th centuries, Irish arriving on our shores were met
with contempt, disdain, and with signs that read, ``Irish need not
apply.'' But they persisted, and our country is all the better for it.
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