United States House of Representatives: History, Art, & Archives
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John F. Shelley and Speaker Sam Rayburn Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

Black and white photograph of John F. Shelley wearing a plastic top hat and standing against a door with a plaque reading, “John F. Shelley, California,” and a shamrock decoration reading, “March 17, St. Patrick’s Day.” Shelley holds a booklet that reads, “Ireland’s Right to Unity,” and looks toward Sam Rayburn, who stands to his left and returns his gaze./tiles/collection/4/49307.xml
Photograph reverse with copyright information and text reading, “Rep. John F. Shelly, (D) Calif., left, is dressed in the fashion of the day as he shows an Irish booklet to Speaker of the House, Sam Rayburn, (D) Texas, during a Saint Patrick’s Day party given by Congressman Shelly today.”/tiles/collection/2/28577.xml
Black and white photograph of John F. Shelley wearing a plastic top hat and standing against a door with a plaque reading, “John F. Shelley, California,” and a shamrock decoration reading, “March 17, St. Patrick’s Day.” Shelley holds a booklet that reads, “Ireland’s Right to Unity,” and looks toward Sam Rayburn, who stands to his left and returns his gaze.
Photograph reverse with copyright information and text reading, “Rep. John F. Shelly, (D) Calif., left, is dressed in the fashion of the day as he shows an Irish booklet to Speaker of the House, Sam Rayburn, (D) Texas, during a Saint Patrick’s Day party given by Congressman Shelly today.”
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Date

1951-03-16

Artist

Arthur E. Scott

Maker

International News Photos

Dimensions

9 x 7 1/8 in. (22.9 x 18.1 cm)

Accession Number

2008.058.001

Credit Line

Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives

Object Details

In this 1951 photograph, California Congressman John Shelley (left) celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with Speaker Sam Rayburn (right). First marked in the House in 1884 by the wearing of green ribbons in the Chamber, the tradition of honoring the Emerald Isle continued with the annual St. Patrick’s Day luncheons first hosted by Speaker Tip O’Neill in the 1980s.

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