Proclamation  WHEREAS, by 1776 nearly 300,000 Irish nationals had emigrated to the American colonies and played a crucial WHEREAS, five signers of the Declaration of Independence were of Irish descent and three signers were Irish WHEREAS, Irish Americans helped toi fashion a system of government for our young Nation; and WHEREAS, twenty-two Presidents have proudly proclaimed their Irish American heritage; and  role in America's War for Independence; and  born; and  WHEREAS, in 1792 Irish born James Hoban provided the architectural plans for the White House and served as WHEREAS, Irish born Commodore John Barry was recognized by the United States Congress in September of WHEREAS, Commodore. John Barry fought thel last sea battle oft the American Revolution offt the coast of Florida; WHEREAS, in 1813, Captain Oliver Perry, An Irish Ameriçan, achieved a major naval victory in the Battle of WHEREAS, in 1942, the 5 Sullivan brothers made the ultimate sacrifice for democracy and freedom during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal and later had the Destroyer USS Sullivan commissioned in their memory; and WHEREAS, thel Irish first came to Spanish "Lai Florida"int the 1500s-1 first as missionaries andi mercenary soldiers WHEREAS, three of the Spanish Governors of "Za Florida" were actually Irish military officers; and WHEREAS, Father Richard Arthur, an Irish-born priest from Limerick who was appointed parish priest for St. Augustine in 1597 and ecclesiastical judge of "Za Florida, " established the first public school in America and WHEREAS, Andrew Jackson, whose family came from County Antrim, served as Florida's military governor WHEREAS, Irish Americans, since America's inception, have provided and continue to provide leadership and WHEREAS, iti is fitting and proper to celebrate the rich cultural heritage and the many valuable contributions of  one of the supervising architects for the construction of the Capitol; and 2002 as the "First Flag Officer oft the United States Navy";and  and Lake Erie; and  and then as planters, traders, businessmen, doctors and administrators; and  opened it to both boys and girls ofall races; and following its acquisition by the United States; and  service to this nation's political, business and religious establishments; and  Irish Americans.  POLKCITY Joe LaCascia, Mayor  ATTEST Patricia  Ty