Voting for Unification

Campaign for A United Ireland

**Press Advisory**

(San Francisco/ September 13, 2010) -The California State Senate voted overwhelmingly on August 31, 2010 for a resolution expressing its strong support for Irish reunification and urging the California Congressional delegation supporting the final reunification of Ireland by all peaceful means.

The measure, SJR 45, introduced by Senators Leland Yee (San Francisco) and Ellen Corbett (San Leandro) flew through the California Senate, which is not surprising given that California was one of the first states to endorse the MacBride Principles and has a long history of supporting human rights in Ireland.

The resolution received support from a large number of influential Irish organizations from throughout California including the California Ancient Order of Hibernians, California Irish Cultural Society, The United Irish Societies of San Francisco, The San Francisco Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA),  The San Diego Irish American Historical Society, The Orange County Board of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, The Long Beach Commodore of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, The Irish American Unity Conference (S.F. Chapter) and Campaign for a United Ireland. (Complete list of supporters follows.)

California joins a growing chorus of state and local governments, and local organizations that have passed similar resolutions. These include the state of Massachusetts, the New Jersey General Assembly, Lawrence, Massachusetts, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Cleveland, Rockland County, N.Y., The California Democratic Party, The San Francisco Labor Council, and Veterans for Peace.