RESOLUTION FOR BOARD MEETING OF MARCH 7, 2024
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RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners recognizing the 2024 St. Patrick’s Day Parade
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WHEREAS, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which will be held this year on March 16th, is an annual commemoration of the death of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. While St. Patrick was not born in Ireland, he was a missionary that traveled throughout Ireland spreading Christianity. It is believed that St. Patrick passed away on March 17, 461; and
WHEREAS, for thousands of years, St. Patrick’s Day was celebrated exclusively as a religious holiday in Ireland. However, in 1845, when Ireland became plagued by famine, over 1 million Irish immigrants migrated to the United States, bringing with them the tradition of St. Patrick’s Day. In the United States, St. Patrick’s Day evolved into a celebration of Irish culture and tradition observed by parades and other festivities; and
WHEREAS, the earliest recognized celebration of St. Patrick’s Day in the United States was on March 17, 1601 in modern day St. Augustine, Florida. The festivities were organized by Irish vicar Ricardo Artur. While paling in comparison to the celebrations held today, this initial recognition of Irish heritage paved the way for acceptance of this Irish holiday in the United States; and
WHEREAS, since 1955, it has been a Chicago tradition to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a large parade and the dyeing of the Chicago River, proudly sponsored by the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local Union 130 UA. Generations of Chicagoans have grown up enjoying the parade, proudly wearing their green and joining in the festivities; and
WHEREAS, this year, the parade will include Peter O’Brien, Sr., President and CEO of Mado Management, LP as the Grand Marshal and Patrick Kennedy, of the Kennedy Forum, as the Guest of Honor. The theme of this year’s parade is “Mental Health is Essential”. Grace O’Connor has been selected as the Parade Queen; and
WHEREAS, St. Patrick’s Day is a time for paying homage to Ireland and the history, customs, and traditions of the Irish people that immigrated here hundreds of years ago. While many components of St. Patrick’s Day have been modified in the United States, one thing has remained constant - the pride displayed by people of Irish descent; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, on behalf of ourselves and our staff, do hereby recognize the 2024 St. Patrick’s Day Parade; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution be spread upon the permanent Record of Proceedings of the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.
Dated: March 7, 2024