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Joint Resolution Honoring Irish and Irish-American Contributions to the Founding of the United States
2026 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Wayne A. Harper
House Sponsor: Anthony E. Loubet
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This resolution honors Irish and Irish-American contributions to the founding of the United
States.
Highlighted Provisions:
This resolution:
commemorates the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States by recognizing
the contributions of Irish and Irish-American individuals to the American Revolutionary
War effort and the signing of the Declaration of Independence;
highlights specific Irish and Irish-American figures involved in the founding of the
United States, including signers of the Declaration of Independence, military leaders,
and early advocates of American independence;
acknowledges the influence of American independence on political thought and reform
movements beyond the United States, including in Ireland, and recognizes ongoing
opportunities for state-level cultural and economic engagement with Ireland;
expresses support for expanding Utah-Ireland relations and encourages joint engagement
efforts, including a cooperative committee and Ireland's consideration of appointing an
Honorary Consul General in Utah; and
directs that a certified copy of the resolution be sent to specified officials and
organizations in Ireland and the United States.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
WHEREAS, Saint Patrick's Day, March 17, 1776, marked the end of the eleven-month
Siege of Boston, when British forces evacuated the city, resulting in one of the earliest major
victories for the Patriot cause during the American Revolutionary War;
WHEREAS, General John Sullivan, an officer in the Continental Army who was named
Officer of the Day by General George Washington during the evacuation, was the son of Irish
immigrants and later served as Governor of New Hampshire, and whose brother, James
Sullivan, later served as Governor of Massachusetts;
WHEREAS, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence
provides an opportunity to recognize the eight signers of the declaration who were born in
Ireland or were of Irish descent, including Thomas McKean, who later served as President of
the Continental Congress, Charles Carroll of Carrollton, James Smith, George Taylor,
Matthew Thornton, Edward Rutledge, Thomas Lynch Jr., and George Read;
WHEREAS, these men came from varied social, religious, and economic backgrounds, yet
stood united in their efforts to establish a new republic grounded in principles of representative
government, liberty, and self-determination;
WHEREAS, the ideas and examples of American independence influenced political
thought and reform movements beyond the United States, including in Ireland, where later
generations sought greater self-government and, ultimately, the establishment of an Irish
republic;
WHEREAS, approximately 200 printed copies of the Declaration of Independence were
first produced in July 1776 by John Dunlap, an Irish immigrant from County Tyrone, and the
declaration was first published internationally in the Belfast News-Letter in Ireland;
WHEREAS, in January 1776, Stephen Moylan, an Irish-born aide-de-camp to General
George Washington, used the phrase "United States of America" in written correspondence,
representing one of the earliest known recorded instances of that term;
WHEREAS, it was reported to the British Parliament by Lord Mountjoy that, "America was
lost by Irish emigrants ... I am assured from the best authority, the major part of the American
army was composed of Irish and that the Irish language was as commonly spoken in the
American ranks as English, I am also informed it was their valor that determined the contest.";
WHEREAS, states across the United States have continued to strengthen economic and
cultural ties with Ireland, including through formal trade and economic development
initiatives, such as the establishment in 2025 of a Kentucky-Ireland Economic Development
Advisory Committee by executive order of the Governor of Kentucky, demonstrating ongoing
opportunities for state-level engagement and cooperation with Ireland; and
WHEREAS, the state of Utah and the Republic of Ireland seek to expand diplomatic,
economic, trade, and educational relationships:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah
commemorates the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States and recognizes the
contributions of Irish and Irish-American individuals to the founding.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature honors the shared history and enduring
relationship between the people of the United States and Ireland, rooted in common principles
of liberty, representative government, and national self-determination.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the executive branch are
encouraged to enter into a memorandum of agreement to establish a committee composed of
representatives from the business community, the Legislature, and the Governor's Office of
Economic Development to work with the Republic of Ireland to enhance relationships and
commerce.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature calls upon the Republic of Ireland to
consider appointing an Honorary Consul General in Utah to further promote partnerships and
relationships between the state of Utah and the Republic of Ireland, including their respective
business leaders and peoples.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a duly certified copy of this resolution be sent to
Senator Mark Daly, Chair of Seanad
ireann, and to the national co-chairs of the American Irish
State Legislators Caucus, including Speaker Pro Tempore Brian Patrick Kennedy of Rhode
Island, Speaker Robin Vos of Wisconsin, Assemblywoman Carol A. Murphy of New Jersey,
the Honorable Shannon O'Brien of Montana, Senator Ogden Driskill of Wyoming, the
Honorable Killian Timoney of Kentucky, Representative James Gallagher of California,
Senate President Pro Tempore Wayne Harper of Utah, Representative Bridget Walsh Moore of
Missouri, the Honorable Maureen Terry of Maine, Representative John Lawn of
Massachusetts, Senator Beth Mizell of Louisiana, Delegate Roger Hanshaw of West Virginia,
Representative Marcus Evans of Illinois, the Honorable Fran Hurley of Illinois, and
Representative Mia Costello of Alaska.
3-11-26 12:14 PM