HR0389 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0389 LRB101 12436 MST 60559 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Since the beginning of the settlement and development of Illinois in the early nineteenth century, Illinois has been a destination and haven for immigrants from around the globe; and

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois is grateful for all of the hardworking people who have come to settle in this State from nearly every nation on earth; and

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois appreciates the contributions of immigrants toward its historic rise as one of the great states of the Union and the home of over twelve million people; and

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois has always taken pause to honor individual communities that have contributed to its greatness; and

WHEREAS, One of the distinct communities that has historically provided great contributions to the State throughout its history is the Irish-American community, which is comprised of over one and a half million Illinois residents; and

WHEREAS, Hundreds of Illinois Irish-Americans trace their ancestry, if not their birth, to the Town of Swinford, County Mayo, Ireland, which is a rural market town of approximately 2,000 people; and

WHEREAS, In this year, 2019, the Town of Swinford, County Mayo, is celebrating and commemorating the 250th anniversary of its founding as a chartered town in 1769; and

WHEREAS, Among the many people of Illinois who trace their ancestry to the Town of Swinford are nineteen public officials, now serving or retired, who serve or have served the northern Illinois and Chicago metropolitan area; and

WHEREAS, The remarkable number of northern Illinois and Chicago area public officials for whom the Town of Swinford is their ancestral home include the following:

Hon. Michael J. Brennan, former Orland Township Supervisor;

Hon. Daniel P. Brennan, Circuit Judge, Circuit Court of Cook County;

Hon. John T. Carr, Associate Judge, Circuit Court of Cook County;

Hon. Alison C. Conlon, Circuit Judge, Circuit Court of Cook County;

Hon. Michael G. Connelly, former Illinois State Senator, 21st District;

Hon. John J. Curry, Jr., Circuit Judge, Circuit Court of Cook County;

Sheila O'Grady Duffy, former Chief of Staff to Mayor Richard M. Daley of Chicago;

Hon. James B. Durkin, Illinois State Representative, 82nd District and House Minority Leader;

Hon. Melissa A. Durkin, Associate Judge, Circuit Court of Cook County;

Hon. Thomas M. Durkin, United States District Judge, Northern District of Illinois;

Hon. Thomas P. Durkin, retired Circuit Judge, Circuit Court of Cook County;

Hon. James Henry, retired Circuit Judge, Circuit Court of Cook County;

Hon. Michael T. Mullen, Circuit Judge, Circuit Court of Cook County;

Hon. Sheila M. O'Brien, retired Justice of the Illinois Appellate Court, First District;

Hon. Paul A. O'Grady, Orland Township Supervisor;

Hon. Maureen Durkin Roy, retired Circuit Judge, Circuit Court of Cook County;

Hon. Martin T. Tully, Mayor, Village of Downers Grove;

Hon. Thomas M. Tully, former County Assessor of Cook County; and

Hon. Thomas M. Tunney, Alderman, 44th Ward, City of Chicago; and be it further

WHEREAS, These officials will be honoring Swinford, County Mayo, Ireland this year as it commemorates its 250th anniversary by their presentation of a group portrait to the town on August 1, 2019, the day of its anniversary festival; and

WHEREAS, Many other descendants and emigres of the Town of Swinford, Ireland have enriched the State of Illinois by serving in the medical and legal professions, in business and commerce, in the arts, in public service, and through community involvement; and

WHEREAS, Through its hundreds of descendants and natives living in Illinois, the residents of our State are aware of the charms of the 250 year old Town of Swinford, County Mayo, which is known for its recreational fishing, cycling, and hiking, its annual August Siamsa Sraide Festival, its proximity to the natural beauty of Lough Conn, the River Moy, the Nephin Mountain Range, and the scenic Atlantic coast of Mayo, as well as its significant and historic locales such as Bronze Age archeological sites, medieval round towers, ancient monasteries, the religious pilgrimage site of Knock, and the historic Mellett's Pub, established 1797, the 12th oldest business in Ireland, owned by cousins to the late Patrick Mellett of Chicago, who owned Mellett's Tavern at 4728 West Madison Street, Chicago, for over fifty-five years; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we hereby honor the proud natives and descendants of the Town of Swinford, County Mayo, Ireland, who are devoted citizens of the State of Illinois, including the nineteen public officials among their number who have dutifully served in the State of Illinois, and further do hereby honor the Town of Swinford, County Mayo, Ireland, and its citizens, as they commemorate the 250th anniversary of its founding in this year, 2019; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Town of Swinford, County Mayo, Ireland, as a sign of our recognition of the 250th anniversary of its founding.