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125th St. Patrick's Day Parade!
Welcome from the 2006 Chairman
Saturday, March 18, 2006

THE 125th PARADE IS BACK AT
HOME IN DOWNTOWN ATLANTA
148th Anniversary

The 2006 Parade, Atlanta's 125th since 1858, is again on Peachtree Street in downtown Atlanta. The March 18, 2006 Atlanta St. Patrick's Parade will be held in downtown Atlanta. Activities begin Thursday, March 16 and continue through Saturday, March 18th with the 125th St. Patrick's Parade and Festival at Underground Atlanta. 

The team consisting of members of the Hibernian Benevolent Society of Atlanta (HBSA), the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH), Clan Na nGael, the Fire Emerald Society of Metro Atlanta (FESMA), and Metropolitan Atlanta Police Emerald Society (MAPES) and hundreds of community volunteers has come together to make the traditional Atlanta St. Patrick's Parade a community effort and a really BIG DEAL!

Why is the St. Patrick's Parade relevant in today's world? Part of the answer is the obvious celebration of the Irish Saint Patrick, but there is an even broader import to this celebration. It is the celebration of the success of an immigrant people.    

The Irish left their homeland for a variety of reasons - politics, poverty, fear and hopelessness. Many were "transported" as prisoners. Rather than finding streets paved with gold, they found slums, prejudice, discrimination and hatred. Businesses posted help wanted signs with the caveat "No Irish Need Apply". The Irish women worked at menial, often dangerous jobs. Slave owners would hire an Irishman to do a dangerous job rather than risk a valuable slave. The Irishman had no value.

In spite of the obstacles, these people struggled. They settled in wild places and they took the jobs no one else would take. Today the Irish can count among their past and present numbers successful members of all walks of society. In our country there have been U.S. Presidents, Executives, Policemen, Firemen, Priests and leaders of all types.    

Ignoring the odds against them, they struggled, fought and succeeded.

This is a celebration of an immigrant people. It is a celebration of success. It holds out hope to the multitudes coming to our shores and starting out in a new land. The success of the Irish is cause for everyone to celebrate and have hope for the future.

St. Patrick's Day is not just an Irish Celebration. It is a celebration for all people in our nation. We are all immigrants. Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Ed Moran, Chairman
2006 Atlanta St. Patrick's Parade