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File #: 260181    Version: 0 Name:
Type: Resolution Status: ADOPTED
File created: 3/5/2026 In control: CITY COUNCIL
On agenda: Final action: 3/5/2026
Title: Proclaiming the Month of March 2026 as Irish Heritage Month in the City of Philadelphia and honoring Daniel J. Hilferty for his commitment to advancing the Irish American community and service as the Grand Marshal leading the 254th Saint Patrick's Day Parade on March 15, 2026.
Sponsors: Council President Johnson, Councilmember Driscoll, Councilmember Ahmad, Councilmember Brooks, Councilmember Gauthier, Councilmember Gilmore Richardson, Councilmember Harrity, Councilmember Jones, Councilmember Landau, Councilmember Lozada, Councilmember O'Neill, Councilmember O'Rourke, Councilmember Phillips, Councilmember Squilla, Councilmember Young

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Proclaiming the Month of March 2026 as Irish Heritage Month in the City of Philadelphia and honoring Daniel J. Hilferty for his commitment to advancing the Irish American community and service as the Grand Marshal leading the 254th Saint Patrick’s Day Parade on March 15, 2026.

 

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WHEREAS, The 254th Philadelphia Saint Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on March 15, 2026, celebrating the theme of “250 Years of Irish Contributions to America,” and will be led by Grand Marshal Daniel J. Hilferty; and

 

WHEREAS, Philadelphia has celebrated Saint Patrick’s Day with a parade since 1771, making it one of the nation’s oldest and largest continuously held parades in the spirit of Irish heritage; and

 

WHEREAS, The Saint Patrick’s Day parade originated as a celebration of Irish freedom, recognizing their history filled with tyranny and oppression; and

 

WHEREAS, The Irish community in Philadelphia has contributed to the City’s growth for over 250 years, playing a critical role in culture, business, religion, sports, labor, and cuisine; and

 

WHEREAS, Grand Marshal Daniel J. Hilferty’s great-grandfather emigrated to the United States in 1864, spurring a generational commitment to his Irish roots and active participation in cultural and educational Irish practices; and

 

WHEREAS, His dedication to fostering connections between Ireland and the Irish American community in Philadelphia has been internationally recognized - he was the recipient of the 2019 Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Award and the 2012 Taoiseach Award from the Irish American Business Chamber & Network; and

 

WHEREAS, Daniel and his wife Joan have supported Irish athletic, cultural, and educational organizations in the Greater Philadelphia area and beyond, including the Philadelphia Gaelic Athletic Association, the United States Gaelic Athletic Association, the Irish Society of Philadelphia, the Irish American Business Chamber & Network, and other institutions dedicated to preserving and advancing Irish heritage; and

 

WHEREAS, Daniel J. Hilferty’s life exemplifies the spirit of the Irish diaspora rooted in family, strengthened by faith, guided by service, and dedicated to community on both sides of the Atlantic; now, therefore, be it

 

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby proclaims the Month of March 2026 as Irish Heritage Month in the City of Philadelphia and honors Daniel J. Hilferty for his commitment to advancing the Irish American community and service as the Grand Marshal leading the 254th Saint Patrick’s Day Parade on March 15, 2026.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an engrossed copy of this Resolution be presented to Daniel J. Hilferty as an expression of gratitude from the Council of the City of Philadelphia.

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