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WHEREAS, on April 6, 1320, the Declaration of Arbroath was signed, asserting Scotland's sovereignty from England, and 450 years later, this Declaration of Scotland's Independence strongly influenced the American Declaration of Independence, whose signers include nineteen of Scottish descent; and
WHEREAS, in 1998, an effort led by Pittsburgher Robert Murdoch, a founding member of The St. Andrew's Society of Pittsburgh, resulted in the designation of April 6th as National Tartan Day-a celebration of the contributions made by Scottish-Americans to this country's foundation and development; and,
WHEREAS, Pittsburgh's connection to Scotland is unquestionable-the city itself was named by a Scot-General John Forbes-and developed by another Scot-Andrew Carnegie; and,
WHEREAS, Pittsburgh has 30 Clan associations, the US national Junior Bagpiping and Drumming Championships are held here every year, and there are opportunities to learn about bagpiping, fiddling, Celtic harp, Scottish country dancing, Highland dancing, and other Scottish arts, all in the Greater Pittsburgh area; and,
WHEREAS, all over the United States, including in Pittsburgh, festivals and parades will be celebrating Tartan Day; and,
WHEREAS, the St. Andrew's Society of Pittsburgh, a 501 (c) (3) organization that preserves Scottish heritage and traditions, including the giving of scholarships to people studying the Scottish arts; and,
WHEREAS, on Saturday, April 5, the St. Andrew's Society of Pittsburgh will hold their annual fundraiser at Bethel Church in honor of Tartan Day, where there will be bagpipers, Celtic guitarists, singers, dancers, Gaelic workshops, Scottish foods, and a silent auction; and,
WHEREAS, this fundraiser allows St. Andrew's to continue their charitable and preservationist mission.
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare April 1, 2014 the “Tartan Day” in the city of Pittsburgh.
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