Body
WHEREAS, a person's national heritage and ancestry is often an important part of their identity and a source of great pride; and
WHEREAS, there are an estimated 6 million people in the United States who claim Scottish Descent; and
WHEREAS, Senate Resolution 155 passed in 1998 designated April 6 as “National Tartan Day” to recognize the influence that Scottish-Americans have had on our culture, our customs, and our political system; and
WHEREAS, many of our founding fathers were of Scottish descent and our own Declaration of Independence was heavily influenced by Scotland's Declaration of Arbroath, written in 1320; and
WHEREAS, The City of Pittsburgh has a very strong connection to Scotland, and in its' early history, General John Forbes, a native of Dunfermline, Scotland, named the newly won territory where the three rivers converged after the Prime Minister of Great Britain, William Pitt; and
WHEREAS, while the names of many towns and cities across America can be traced back to Scottish descent, Pittsburgh is one of the few to keep the traditional Scottish spelling, with an “h” at the end; and
WHEREAS, Andrew Carnegie, one of the most influential figures in the history of the Pittsburgh region who has cemented his legacy as the dynamic businessman behind our steel industry, and a great philanthropist, was born and raised in Scotland; and
WHEREAS, the St. Andrew's Society of Pittsburgh is a non-profit organization that works to preserve and promote Scottish heritage and traditions through educational, philanthropic and social endeavors, primarily in the Greater Pittsburgh region; and
WHEREAS, since its formation 16 years ago, the St. Andrew's Society of Pittsburgh has given thousands of dollars in scholarships to young people who are actively involved in studying Scottish Dance, Bagpipe, Fiddle and Harp; and
WHEREAS, the St. Andrew's Society of Pittsburgh will be holding their annual fundraiser in honor of “Tartan Day” to continue...
Click here for full text