AUGUSTA - In honor of St. Patrick's Day and in commemoration of the many rich contributions that Irish Americans have made to the state of Maine, members of the Maine State Legislatures Irish-American community have announced the formation of the Maine chapter of the American Irish State Legislators Caucus.
The American Irish State Legislators Caucus was formed in 2021 with the objective of helping state legislators understand issues that are important to Ireland and the Irish people. The Maine chapter will continue this work and will also support Maine residents looking to learn more about their Irish heritage and help new Irish immigrants to Maine navigate available resources.
House Majority Leader Michelle Dunphy, D-Old Town, House Minority Leader Kathleen Dillingham, R-Oxford, along with Reps. Mo Terry, D-Gorham, Michael Brennan, D-Portland, Margaret Craven, D-Lewiston, and Lois Reckitt, D-South Portland, issued the following statements celebrating the announcement:
"On St. Patrick's Day, we celebrate the rich culture and comradery of the Irish people," said Dunphy. "When the Irish immigrated to America, they generously shared that culture and comradery with us all, but more importantly, they shared their spirit. Here in Maine, Irish Americans have helped build our communities and our customs. As an Irish American myself, I am proud of the traditions we have brought to Maine and our contributions to this state. The Irish American voice is a part of the fabric of Maine, and I look forward to it being represented through the American Irish State Legislators Caucus."
"The nostalgic reveries of the sorrows and glories of the Emerald Isle resonate with all people, Irish or not," said Dillingham. "On this day we pause to celebrate the feast of St. Patrick. As they say, 'may the best day of our past be the worst day of our future.'"
"Maines Irish roots run deep and have played an integral role in creating the kind of communities and work ethic that Maine is so well known for," said Terry. "As a proud Irish American, I am profoundly grateful to my ancestors for all that they went through to forge a good life for their families here in Maine. Remembering and honoring that heritage is extremely meaningful to me and to the many Irish Americans throughout the state. That is why I am proud to be a part of Maines American Irish Legislators Caucus, which will work to strengthen the economic, political and cultural links between the United States and Ireland."
"I'm very pleased that my colleagues have formed the American Irish Caucus in the Maine Legislature," said Brennan. "Strengthening our relationships across the country with legislators of Irish descent will be helpful to the state of Maine as well as developing relationships with the country of Ireland. Maine and Ireland share many common interests around economic development, education and health and human services."
"Happy St. Patrick's Day to all," said Craven. "I am so proud to share my Irish heritage with the people of Maine. I am delighted with the creation of the American Irish Caucus, which will keep the celebration of St. Patrick's Day and pride in our collective Irish heritage front and center in the coming years. Slinte!"
I" am excited to be a part of the newly created American Irish Caucus in the Maine Legislature," said Reckitt. "The political history of the Irish in Maine is a long and proud one at all levels of state government. On this Saint Patrick's Day, I honor those politicians and all Maine citizens of Irish and Scots-Irish heritage."
Contact:
Jackie Merrill [Dunphy, Terry, Brennan, Craven, Reckitt], c. 812-1111Jon Bott [Dillingham], o. 287-1440
Photo: Gov. Janet Mills joins Democratic state representatives during Portland's St. Patrick's Day parade at the Maine Irish Heritage Center on Sunday. From left to right: Rep. Lois Galgay Reckitt, D-South Portland, Gov. Janet Mills, Rep. Margaret Craven, D-Lewiston, Rep. Mo Terry, D-Gorham, and Assistant Majority Leader Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland.