![[Sponsoring page title: The Capital Scot]](http://thecapitalscot.com/graphics/capitalscot-small.jpg)
Some petitioners who have signed the petition for formal recognition of National Scots, Scots-Irish Heritage Month. asked questions and made points that would interest others who may be encouraged to sign. They are listed below. (Note: that these questions and commments may be viewed on the petition site.)
Questions may be directed to
,
Chairman
National Scots, Scots-Irish Heritage Month
Can we call this Celtic Heritage month
? That would be great, because it could include some Brits and Welsh as well. Thank you for your time.
The name National Scots, Scots-Irish Heritage Month
was chosen, because:
The Irish already have the month of March (Irish-American Month)
We want to honor two Scottish groups: the Scots who migrated from Scotland and the Scots who migrated from Northern Ireland.
This is not a new effort. It has gained ground with many groups and states whose legislatures have passed resolutions and whose governors have issued proclamations of Scots, Scots-Irish Heritage Month
A few years ago we considered, but later discarded, the idea of a Celtic Heritage Month because of the unwieldly effort it would take to coorinate the efforts of heritgage groups from seven different Celtic nations and the confusion that would occur.
We have not considered including Britons of other heritage for the same reasons as not including all Celtic heritage.
As President of the New World Celts and of Scot and Scot-Irish heritage, I fully support this petition.
(Mike Dunlap)
As Executive Director of the Scottish American Center (Minnesota) I am very excited about the upsurge of interest in things Scottish that I"ve witnessed in recent decades. As outlined in the petition, those of Scottish heritage have profoundly impacted all of our lives in ways most people do not understand. Connecting to this heritage on an individual basis greatly changes peoples' lives in the present day as well. Let's give the gift of this heritage to everyone, every April!
(Dr. J. Scott McKechnie Fridley)
As president of the Celtic Festival and Highland Games at Historic Bethabara Park, I represent over over 50 volunteers who would love to see this so designated at both the State and Federal level.
(Charles Hotchkiss)
As an EOR (Equal Opportunity Representative) for the US Army, this is something I would love to see become a reality.
As a Celtic American, I could not be more excited about the idea that a month would be dedicated to one of the influential cultures in the world today. The Celtic culture touches every fabric of our lives and we go through life never knowing where it came from.
My grandfather is Scottish, but I am also Native American and Hispanic. I am very proud of my heritage and dedicated to learning all that I can about my complete history. Though I just recently became aware of my Scottish heritage I have always been interested in Scottish history and culture. I am proud to be Hispanic/Native American and Scottish. It would be wonderful to be able to celebrate and educate Americans about Scottish culture.
I am a 6th generation descendant of Scots-Irish setters of South Carolina, who fought in the Little River Regiment with Francis Marion in the Revolution. It is well past time for Caledonian recognition at this level.
My ancestors, the Ulster-Scots/Scots-Irish, were an integral part of the founding of this country, along with English, Germans, French and Dutch Huguenots. We deserve recognition as much, if not more so, than any of the ethnic groups that arrived subsequently!
The Scots-Irish were very instrumental in settling the untamed frontier of VA, being willing to be the barrier between the Indians and the civilized areas. Read the histories and you will know that they provided a lot in the settling of our nation! It's past time to honor them for their contributions!
From Senator Joyce Broadsword, Idaho Senate: We as Americans are proud of our heritage and none of us more so than those of Scottish decent. Please do all in your power to assure our decendants continue to relish our rich heritage.
The Scots have been such an integral part of the formation and culture of the United States that to deny them a month (when other groups who made less an impact have one) would simply not be fair. The Scots/Scots-Irish of this country and their ancestors deserve the recognition of the contribution that they have made, and continue to make, to this country.
Our national culture is a result of the diverse heritages of many. We, Scots and Scots-Irish by ancestry, are hoping through a Heritage Month observance to continue to contribute our stories to this celebration of the American Dream.
Thank you for your efforts in this regard. My Scottish heritage is very important to me and my family.
What a wonderful idea! The Scots have contributed so much to this country and have helped make it what it is today.
I feel it is vitally important to pass on pride in our national identity, our Scottishness
. We need to know about our roots and in that way help to shape our future.
The contributions of the Scottish people to the development and continued progress of the United States of America are too numerous to mention in this brief comment. But, it is important that their contributions be remembered and held up to inspire future generations to follow in their paths.
I am only just learning what it means to be of Scoth/Irish heritage. It is such a rich one and includes some of the greatest contributions in the founding of the greatest nation in the free world.
This is a great thing. The Scots and Irish make up a good majority of American culture. We should take a month to remember and honor the great Scottish and Irish men and women that have helped sculp a good portion of our own American way of life.
After Native Americans, Irish and Scottish peoples make up the largest founding groups of immigrants to this country, having fled their homelands to escape famines, wars, and ethnic persecutions. The tenacity and work ethics of these original immigrants largely built this country, and they should be recognized for their contributions to America as we know it today.
In recognition of my heritage, I proudly add my name to this cause as a descendant of John Turnbull, 18th century trader among the the Southeastern Native Americans; he accpted, loved and recornized his three Chickasaw/Choctaw children.
People of Scots and Scots-Irish descent made tremendous contributions to the United States throughout its history. 75% of the presidents of the United States were of Scottish descent and five of the men who walked on the moon were also of Scottish descent including Neil Armstrong. There have been great inventors, political servants and explorers. It would be a great education to the public to have a month devoted to their contributions. (Author of Great Scots, Scots and Scots-Irish in Minnesota.)
Our Declaration of Independance is based in part on the Scottish Declaration of Arbroath, which says: ... for, as long as but a hundred of us remain alive, never will we on any conditions be brought under English rule. It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.
Nine of the thirteen original Governors of the new United States and all major industry leaders were Scottish/Scots-Irish. (National Vice President, Clan Mackay USA, Inc. Michelle Sandelier)
All cultures need to be actively recognized and celebrated. Over 300 Scottish Highland games each year in the US speak to the breadth and width of interest in this beautiful culture. Scottish heavy athletics, one of the most physically difficult, technically challenging sports is practiced in countries all over the world. The United States is home to millions of people of Scottish descent. Many signers of the Declaration of independence were Scots.
Many of our Presidents and the men that helped to make us a nation were Scots. Many inventions are attributed to Scots. We need to be recognized.
As a counseling student, I am learning that when children are encouraged to learn about and treasure their own individual cultural heritage, they develop a positive sense of identity and purpose. All children of all ethnic groups should celebrate who they are so they can learn to respect who others are. Let's all be united in our desire to honor our respective ancestors from all over the globe and instill pride in our children. Thank you.
Being part Scottish and Irish, I think this is a great idea. I hope to someday be able to trace my roots back to those countries. Until then having it recognized here in the U.S. is a great idea, and you sort of get a feel of what it would be like if you were back there in the home countries, minus the countryside of course. So many people migrated to the U.S. that we shoud let them recognize and celebrate their heritage wheater they were born here or abroad. They have a right to be proud of it.
Tartan Day is great but this would be better!
Good thing. Celebrate all month, not just April 6 for Tartan Day. The Scots are so much more!
It is time that we set aside the month of April for our Scot-Irish Heritage.
I am definitly for the heritage month of April as the Scottish and Irish as a month for their heritage we need to be recognized as a people as well as a culture that's been too long over looked.
This is only fitting considering the huge contribution made by Scots starting with the first Continental Congress members, our founding fathers most of whom were Scots and lost everthing in making our country free. They have fought in all our wars and freedom has been the driving force.
This is very important to us Irish/Scotish US citizens. The Irish/Scotish give a lot to the USA. We make up a large portion of the fire fighthers and police officers. This should be recognized. Please allow us this honor.
Please honor our Scots ancestors and immigrants with this month and keep our heritage alive. Thank you.
Please make April the month to celebrate our heritage. We are loyal American citizens and we support the Constitution, the flag and the laws of our great nation. We pay taxes and we vote. Give our forfathers the honor they deserve.
This law would honor the ancestry/heritage of many United States Citizens.
To recognize our Scottish heritage would encourage others to seek out their ancestry.
This page is sponsored by