HR0389LRB101 12436 MST 60559 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Since the beginning of the settlement and
3development of Illinois in the early nineteenth century,
4Illinois has been a destination and haven for immigrants from
5around the globe; and
 
6    WHEREAS, The State of Illinois is grateful for all of the
7hardworking people who have come to settle in this State from
8nearly every nation on earth; and
 
9    WHEREAS, The State of Illinois appreciates the
10contributions of immigrants toward its historic rise as one of
11the great states of the Union and the home of over twelve
12million people; and
 
13    WHEREAS, The State of Illinois has always taken pause to
14honor individual communities that have contributed to its
15greatness; and
 
16    WHEREAS, One of the distinct communities that has
17historically provided great contributions to the State
18throughout its history is the Irish-American community, which
19is comprised of over one and a half million Illinois residents;
20and
 

 

 

HR0389- 2 -LRB101 12436 MST 60559 r

1    WHEREAS, Hundreds of Illinois Irish-Americans trace their
2ancestry, if not their birth, to the Town of Swinford, County
3Mayo, Ireland, which is a rural market town of approximately
42,000 people; and
 
5    WHEREAS, In this year, 2019, the Town of Swinford, County
6Mayo, is celebrating and commemorating the 250th anniversary of
7its founding as a chartered town in 1769; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Among the many people of Illinois who trace their
9ancestry to the Town of Swinford are nineteen public officials,
10now serving or retired, who serve or have served the northern
11Illinois and Chicago metropolitan area; and
 
12    WHEREAS, The remarkable number of northern Illinois and
13Chicago area public officials for whom the Town of Swinford is
14their ancestral home include the following:
15        Hon. Michael J. Brennan, former Orland Township
16    Supervisor;
17        Hon. Daniel P. Brennan, Circuit Judge, Circuit Court of
18    Cook County;
19        Hon. John T. Carr, Associate Judge, Circuit Court of
20    Cook County;
21        Hon. Alison C. Conlon, Circuit Judge, Circuit Court of
22    Cook County;
23        Hon. Michael G. Connelly, former Illinois State

 

 

HR0389- 3 -LRB101 12436 MST 60559 r

1    Senator, 21st District;
2        Hon. John J. Curry, Jr., Circuit Judge, Circuit Court
3    of Cook County;
4        Sheila O'Grady Duffy, former Chief of Staff to Mayor
5    Richard M. Daley of Chicago;
6        Hon. James B. Durkin, Illinois State Representative,
7    82nd District and House Minority Leader;
8        Hon. Melissa A. Durkin, Associate Judge, Circuit Court
9    of Cook County;
10        Hon. Thomas M. Durkin, United States District Judge,
11    Northern District of Illinois;
12        Hon. Thomas P. Durkin, retired Circuit Judge, Circuit
13    Court of Cook County;
14        Hon. James Henry, retired Circuit Judge, Circuit Court
15    of Cook County;
16        Hon. Michael T. Mullen, Circuit Judge, Circuit Court of
17    Cook County;
18        Hon. Sheila M. O'Brien, retired Justice of the Illinois
19    Appellate Court, First District;
20        Hon. Paul A. O'Grady, Orland Township Supervisor;
21        Hon. Maureen Durkin Roy, retired Circuit Judge,
22    Circuit Court of Cook County;
23        Hon. Martin T. Tully, Mayor, Village of Downers Grove;
24        Hon. Thomas M. Tully, former County Assessor of Cook
25    County; and
26        Hon. Thomas M. Tunney, Alderman, 44th Ward, City of

 

 

HR0389- 4 -LRB101 12436 MST 60559 r

1    Chicago; and be it further
 
2    WHEREAS, These officials will be honoring Swinford, County
3Mayo, Ireland this year as it commemorates its 250th
4anniversary by their presentation of a group portrait to the
5town on August 1, 2019, the day of its anniversary festival;
6and
 
7    WHEREAS, Many other descendants and emigres of the Town of
8Swinford, Ireland have enriched the State of Illinois by
9serving in the medical and legal professions, in business and
10commerce, in the arts, in public service, and through community
11involvement; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Through its hundreds of descendants and natives
13living in Illinois, the residents of our State are aware of the
14charms of the 250 year old Town of Swinford, County Mayo, which
15is known for its recreational fishing, cycling, and hiking, its
16annual August Siamsa Sraide Festival, its proximity to the
17natural beauty of Lough Conn, the River Moy, the Nephin
18Mountain Range, and the scenic Atlantic coast of Mayo, as well
19as its significant and historic locales such as Bronze Age
20archeological sites, medieval round towers, ancient
21monasteries, the religious pilgrimage site of Knock, and the
22historic Mellett's Pub, established 1797, the 12th oldest
23business in Ireland, owned by cousins to the late Patrick

 

 

HR0389- 5 -LRB101 12436 MST 60559 r

1Mellett of Chicago, who owned Mellett's Tavern at 4728 West
2Madison Street, Chicago, for over fifty-five years; therefore,
3be it
 
4    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
5HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
6we hereby honor the proud natives and descendants of the Town
7of Swinford, County Mayo, Ireland, who are devoted citizens of
8the State of Illinois, including the nineteen public officials
9among their number who have dutifully served in the State of
10Illinois, and further do hereby honor the Town of Swinford,
11County Mayo, Ireland, and its citizens, as they commemorate the
12250th anniversary of its founding in this year, 2019; and be it
13further
 
14    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
15presented to the Town of Swinford, County Mayo, Ireland, as a
16sign of our recognition of the 250th anniversary of its
17founding.