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WHEREAS, the Ancient Order of Hibernians was established on May 4, 1836, to defend the Church and clergy from the “Know Nothing Party” , was operated behind the scenes in many communities and was a safe haven for those who were discriminated against for their Irish Catholic background, ;and,
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WHEREAS, the AOH is 186 years old and operates in 35 states and has raised and donated millions of dollars to charities and institutions, domestically and overseas; and,
WHEREAS, the Hibernian Hunger Project, begun in 1999 by the AOH, has provided hundreds of thousands of meals to those in need in the United States. The AOH also provides thousands of dollars in Scholarship Funds and it generosity extends to supporting and donating to Columban Fathers and Sisters, SOAR (Support our Aging Religious, Inc.) , Project Saint Patrick and Freedom for All Ireland, which provides funding to aid families of those were affected by the violence in Northern Ireland ;and,
WHEREAS, at the concluding event of the Biennial, a Banquet at the Wyndham Hotel in Pittsburgh PA, the John F. Kennedy Award will be given to Robert Patrick “Rocky” Bleier, the highest honor that Hibernians bestow. Rocky Bleier was a wounded Vietnam Veteran with a Purple Heart, a Bronze Star and a Combat Infantry Badge for his courage and his service. He overcame his injuries to resume his position as halfback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, winning 4 Super Bowl Championships.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby commend the Ancient Order of Hibernians on its Biennial and congratulating them for 186 years of dedicated and loyal service to promote and protect Irish Heritage and Culture, for educating younger generations on the importance of preserving their Irish Heritage, for its support of the Catholic Church , its support and loyalty to Ireland and its positive relationship between Ireland and the United States and for its philanthropic endeavors.