Expressing Sense of House of Representatives to Establish "National Tartan Day" Recognizing Achievements and Contributions of Scottish-Americans

EXPRESSING SENSE OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO ESTABLISH ``NATIONAL TARTAN DAY'' RECOGNIZING ACHIEVEMENTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF SCOTTISH-AMERICANS -- (House of Representatives - March 09, 2005

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Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, from time to time, it is important that we acknowledge our individual histories and the characteristics that define us as Americans. Last month, we celebrated African-American History Month. Today, I am very happy to stand with the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. McIntyre) and the other 56 cosponsors of H. Res. 41. This bill recognizes the outstanding achievements and contributions made by Scottish Americans to the United States by expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that a day should be established as National Tartan Day.

Scottish Americans have played important roles in the growth and development of this Nation. Three such Scottish Americans are John Witherspoon, Andrew Carnegie and Alexander Graham Bell. John Witherspoon immigrated to the United States in order to become the sixth President of Princeton University. He was a member of the ratifying convention that made New Jersey the third State to ratify the Constitution of the United States. He also is identified with the Common Sense Philosophy, which is considered to be of importance in the development of our national life.

Andrew Carnegie came to the United States not as an educated man but as a poor immigrant. His vision and business acumen earned him a fortune in steel during the industrial revolution. Carnegie used his wealth to establish one of the largest philanthropic foundations in the United States. Much of his collected fortune was spent to establish over 2,500 public libraries and to support institutions of higher learning and public education. By the end of his life, Carnegie gave away $350 million.

Inventor Alexander Graham Bell, like Carnegie, was primarily self-educated, and he, too, accomplished much during his life. Graham is best known for inventing the telephone, though he explored the realm of communications and engaged in a great variety of scientific activities.

Almost a decade ago, Congress recognized the influential role of the Scottish community in our country by making April 6, 1997, National Tartan Day. April 6 was chosen because it commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath, which asserted Scotland's sovereignty over English territorial claims and influenced our own Declaration of Independence.

Therefore, Madam Speaker, I want to take this moment to thank the originators of this bill for their leadership and want to reiterate my strong support for H. Res. 41. Our Scottish citizens have made a tremendous impact on the development of this Nation, and all of us are proud of them.

Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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