21

The Irish American Democrat St.Patrick's Day 2012

Irish American Democrats P.P. Box 15638 Chevy Chase MD 20825Tel (202) 362 9064Email: irldems@erols.comInternet: www.irishamericandemocrats.org

Contributors

Brendan Boyle Pennsylvania

Stephen BrownleeNew York

Tom Burke Colorado

Kristin CabralVirginia

Leslie CavanaughNebraska

Matt DohertyNew Jersey

Maureen DonnellyIowa

Mary Ellen EarlyCalifornia

Nancy GrandquistLouisiana

Linda Dyer Hart North and South Carolina

Eileen HeaphyConnecticut

Dan HynesIllinois

Brendan KeeganMaryland

Ruarai McKennaWashington D.C.

John MyersOhio

Brian O'DwyerNew York

Stella O'LearyWashington D.C.

Rosemary O'NeillMassachusetts

Thomas O'ShaughnessyCalifornia

Sarah Steele Riordan Indiana

Patti ShieldsDublin, Ireland

Mary Breasted SmythNew Hampshire

Kate StetznerMontana

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA Political Genius with Irish Genes

President Obama likes to quip that he wishes he had known he was Irish when he was running for election in Chicago. He may not have known of his Irish ancestry, but the voters of Illinois recognized that he embodied the best characteristics of Irish American Democratic political leaders. The Kennedys and O'Neills of Massachusetts, the Daleys of Chicago, the Dodds of Connecticut, the O'Dwyers of NewYork, and the scores of current and past Irish American Members of Congress and State Governors, are distinguished by their dedication to political representation for middle and lower income Americans, those who cannot afford to buy political influence. In the best tradition of Irish volunteerism, President Obama began his career in Chicago, working as a community organizer. A man who could command the highest salary as a corporate lawyer, he chose, instead, to represent the interests of those who have

no voice in the political system. In that role, Obama earned the respect of the people who would later rally around him as a leader with a vision for a more just and equitable America.

Today, thanks to cousin Henry Healy and Canon Stephen Neill, we know that Obama's ancestral home is in Moneygall, County Offaly, so we can more confidently attribute his political genius to his Irish genes. A research of his Irish ancestors, the Kearneys of Moneygall, reveals a typical 19th century Irish emigrant family. The Kearneys had moved from Dublin to Moneygall in the early 19th century. They were artisans, wig-makers and shoe-makers, contemporaries of the United Irishmen, who under the leadership of Wolfe Tone, rebelled against the injustice of British rule in

Ireland. One ancestor, Michael Kearney, a member of the wig-makers Guild challenged the aristocracy when they attempted to gerrymander elections to Dublin City Council. Another ancestor, John Kearney, was Provost of Trinity College, Dublin, and he opposed the Act of Union, which united the kingdoms of Great Britain and Ireland to create the United Kingdom. By 1850, the famine in Ireland caused such devastating economic effects that the Kearneys could no longer make a living. Like so many immigrants, they sought freedom and opportunity in America. Fulmouth Kearney, President Obama's direct ancestor, left for Ohio, where he became a pioneer farmer. President Obama's commitment to immigration reform is inspired by his belief that "our

patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness." The Kearney family immigration story illustrates that belief. Like all immigrants, the Kearneys struggled to establish themselves in America. With perseverance, tenacity and sacrifice, and taking advantage of America's educational opportunities, they laid the groundwork, so that President Obama was able to attain the highest political office. Irish Americans are proud that once again the Democratic Party has produced a great Irish American leader. While we must share his ancestry with others, we are vain enough to claim that his best political instincts are a product of his Irish roots.

Stella O'LearyPresident Irish American Democrats

Irish American Democrats support President Obama and Democratic candidates who promote peace, justice and prosperity in Ireland. “Always Irish, always American, always Democrat.”PENNSYLVANIA

The nation's birthplace, Pennsylvania, is one of the largest battleground states in the nation every four years. It will be so again in 2012 as President Barack Obama runs for re-election. Holding PA is critical if we are to hold the White House. PA will have a high number of Irish American Democrats on the ballot in 2012. Popular Senator Bob Casey will be running for re-election to the Senate. All three Democrats running for Attorney General are Irish Americans. Finally, I myself, a member of the PA Assembly, will be chairing the House Democratic Campaign Committee. My task is to organize the Democratic campaign to retake the PA State House.

Brendan Boyle PA State Assembly bboyle@voteboyle.com

21

The Irish American Democrat St.Patrick's Day 2012

Irish American Democrats P.P. Box 15638 Chevy Chase MD 20825Tel (202) 362 9064Email: irldems@erols.comInternet: www.irishamericandemocrats.org

Contributors

Brendan Boyle Pennsylvania

Stephen BrownleeNew York

Tom Burke Colorado

Kristin CabralVirginia

Leslie CavanaughNebraska

Matt DohertyNew Jersey

Maureen DonnellyIowa

Mary Ellen EarlyCalifornia

Nancy GrandquistLouisiana

Linda Dyer Hart North and South Carolina

Eileen HeaphyConnecticut

Dan HynesIllinois

Brendan KeeganMaryland

Ruarai McKennaWashington D.C.

John MyersOhio

Brian O'DwyerNew York

Stella O'LearyWashington D.C.

Rosemary O'NeillMassachusetts

Thomas O'ShaughnessyCalifornia

Sarah Steele Riordan Indiana

Patti ShieldsDublin, Ireland

Mary Breasted SmythNew Hampshire

Kate StetznerMontana

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA Political Genius with Irish Genes

President Obama likes to quip that he wishes he had known he was Irish when he was running for election in Chicago. He may not have known of his Irish ancestry, but the voters of Illinois recognized that he embodied the best characteristics of Irish American Democratic political leaders. The Kennedys and O'Neills of Massachusetts, the Daleys of Chicago, the Dodds of Connecticut, the O'Dwyers of NewYork, and the scores of current and past Irish American Members of Congress and State Governors, are distinguished by their dedication to political representation for middle and lower income Americans, those who cannot afford to buy political influence. In the best tradition of Irish volunteerism, President Obama began his career in Chicago, working as a community organizer. A man who could command the highest salary as a corporate lawyer, he chose, instead, to represent the interests of those who have

no voice in the political system. In that role, Obama earned the respect of the people who would later rally around him as a leader with a vision for a more just and equitable America.

Today, thanks to cousin Henry Healy and Canon Stephen Neill, we know that Obama's ancestral home is in Moneygall, County Offaly, so we can more confidently attribute his political genius to his Irish genes. A research of his Irish ancestors, the Kearneys of Moneygall, reveals a typical 19th century Irish emigrant family. The Kearneys had moved from Dublin to Moneygall in the early 19th century. They were artisans, wig-makers and shoe-makers, contemporaries of the United Irishmen, who under the leadership of Wolfe Tone, rebelled against the injustice of British rule in

Ireland. One ancestor, Michael Kearney, a member of the wig-makers Guild challenged the aristocracy when they attempted to gerrymander elections to Dublin City Council. Another ancestor, John Kearney, was Provost of Trinity College, Dublin, and he opposed the Act of Union, which united the kingdoms of Great Britain and Ireland to create the United Kingdom. By 1850, the famine in Ireland caused such devastating economic effects that the Kearneys could no longer make a living. Like so many immigrants, they sought freedom and opportunity in America. Fulmouth Kearney, President Obama's direct ancestor, left for Ohio, where he became a pioneer farmer. President Obama's commitment to immigration reform is inspired by his belief that "our

patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness." The Kearney family immigration story illustrates that belief. Like all immigrants, the Kearneys struggled to establish themselves in America. With perseverance, tenacity and sacrifice, and taking advantage of America's educational opportunities, they laid the groundwork, so that President Obama was able to attain the highest political office. Irish Americans are proud that once again the Democratic Party has produced a great Irish American leader. While we must share his ancestry with others, we are vain enough to claim that his best political instincts are a product of his Irish roots.

Stella O'LearyPresident Irish American Democrats

Irish American Democrats support President Obama and Democratic candidates who promote peace, justice and prosperity in Ireland. “Always Irish, always American, always Democrat.”PENNSYLVANIA

The nation's birthplace, Pennsylvania, is one of the largest battleground states in the nation every four years. It will be so again in 2012 as President Barack Obama runs for re-election. Holding PA is critical if we are to hold the White House. PA will have a high number of Irish American Democrats on the ballot in 2012. Popular Senator Bob Casey will be running for re-election to the Senate. All three Democrats running for Attorney General are Irish Americans. Finally, I myself, a member of the PA Assembly, will be chairing the House Democratic Campaign Committee. My task is to organize the Democratic campaign to retake the PA State House.

Brendan Boyle PA State Assembly bboyle@voteboyle.com