April

Scots/Scots-Irish Heritage Month

A JOINT RESOLUTION acknowledging the contributions of the Scots and Scots‑Irish to North Carolina

Whereas, April 6 has a special significance for all Americans and especially those Americans of Scottish descent; and

Whereas, on April 6, 1320, the Declaration of Arbroath, the Scottish Declaration of Independence, was signed; and

Whereas, the American Declaration of Independence was modeled on this inspirational document; and

Whereas, almost half the signers of the United States Declaration of Independence were of Scottish descent as were the governors of nine of the original 13 colonies; and

Whereas, more than 27 million Americans can trace their roots back to Scotland and the Scottish plantations of Northern Ireland; and

Whereas, the State of North Carolina was the primary destination of Scots and Scots‑Irish immigrants, some of whom became leaders of the State such as Colonial Governors Thomas Pollock and Gabriel Johnston and Governor Samuel Johnston; and

Whereas, North Carolina continues to lead the country in residents with Scottish and Scots‑Irish heritage; and

Whereas, North Carolina is home to various festivals and games featuring Scottish culture that are held annually across the State, including the Flora MacDonald Highland Games, Loch Norman Highland Games, Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, Waxhaws Scottish Highland Games, and the Taste of Scotland held in Macon County; and

Whereas, North Carolinians seeking information regarding their Scottish heritage and history can visit numerous museums and institutions throughout the State, including the Scottish Tartans Museum in Franklin; and

Whereas, there are many North Carolina localities named for the area's Scottish settlers or in honor of Scotland including Scotland Neck and Scotland County; and

Whereas, the Carolina Tartan was adopted as the official tartan of the State of North Carolina in 1991; and

Whereas, many organizations and legislative bodies have recognized the month of April as National Scots, Scots‑Irish Heritage Month, including the members of the Triad Highland Games, the Triad St. Andrews Society, and the Triad Scottish American Military Society, which declared the recognition on April 6, 2006; and

Whereas, it is fitting that the General Assembly honor the major role that the Scots and Scots‑Irish played in the founding of this nation by recognizing the month of April of each year as National Scots, Scots‑Irish Heritage Month in the State of North Carolina; Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

SECTION 1.  The General Assembly honors the memory of Thomas Pollock, Gabriel Johnston, and Samuel Johnston, all of whom were born in Scotland, for their leadership of and contributions to the development of the State of North Carolina.

SECTION 2.  The General Assembly urges the citizens of this State to recognize the month of April of 2008 and every April thereafter as National Scots, Scots‑Irish Heritage Month.

SECTION 3.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.