SectionsGuinness Campaign aims to make St. Patrick's Day a national holiday
Ashley Christopher
Issue date: 3/14/08 Section: Features
A campaign to make St. Patrick's Day more than just a day of wearing green and handing out pinches is underway, and the makers of Guinness are asking for the public's help.
Proposition 3-17 is trying to pull St. Patrick's Day from the likes of Cinco de Mayo and Mardi Gras and make the day a nationally-recognized paid holiday in the United States.
"Guinness and Proposition 3-17 supporters believe that a regulated, official holiday would not only reduce the amount of employees missing work in order to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, but officially allow people to express their Irish-ness," said the official petition to be handed to Congress.
The proposition would need 1 million signatures by March 16 to be presented to Congress the next day, St. Patrick's Day.
As of March 12, the petition still needed 804,829 signatures.
Why make St. Patrick's Day a national holiday?
Richard Nichols of Diageo, makers of Guinness stout, said St. Patrick's Day should have its place among other important American holidays.
"Guinness supports the demands of adults around the U.S. to take a day off from work and celebrate their Irish spirit," he said in a press release. "Thanksgiving, New Year's Day, Labor Day and Columbus Day are all observed, and now it is time for St. Patrick's Day to have its place among these other important dates."
To have their names added to the petition, U.S. citizens 21 or older can visit the proposition's official Web site, www.Proposition317.com, or text the word "sign" to 65579.
The petition can also be signed in some bars and retail stores where Guinness is sold.
Some Missouri State students agree with Nichols, saying that just like other holidays, it should also be recognized.
"We have nationally-recognized holidays that not everyone can relate to or celebrates; why not St. Patrick's Day, too?" said Erin Lakin, a senior majoring in restaurant and hospitality administration.
Proposition 3-17 is trying to pull St. Patrick's Day from the likes of Cinco de Mayo and Mardi Gras and make the day a nationally-recognized paid holiday in the United States.
"Guinness and Proposition 3-17 supporters believe that a regulated, official holiday would not only reduce the amount of employees missing work in order to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, but officially allow people to express their Irish-ness," said the official petition to be handed to Congress.
The proposition would need 1 million signatures by March 16 to be presented to Congress the next day, St. Patrick's Day.
As of March 12, the petition still needed 804,829 signatures.
Why make St. Patrick's Day a national holiday?
Richard Nichols of Diageo, makers of Guinness stout, said St. Patrick's Day should have its place among other important American holidays.
"Guinness supports the demands of adults around the U.S. to take a day off from work and celebrate their Irish spirit," he said in a press release. "Thanksgiving, New Year's Day, Labor Day and Columbus Day are all observed, and now it is time for St. Patrick's Day to have its place among these other important dates."
To have their names added to the petition, U.S. citizens 21 or older can visit the proposition's official Web site, www.Proposition317.com, or text the word "sign" to 65579.
The petition can also be signed in some bars and retail stores where Guinness is sold.
Some Missouri State students agree with Nichols, saying that just like other holidays, it should also be recognized.
"We have nationally-recognized holidays that not everyone can relate to or celebrates; why not St. Patrick's Day, too?" said Erin Lakin, a senior majoring in restaurant and hospitality administration.
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kristy
posted 3/15/08 @ 11:00 AM CST
You can view the Lincoln commercial on my blog http://twoifbysee.blogspot.com/2008/03/guinness-campaign-to-make-st-patricks.html
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