Adopting an Irish brogue proved to be a poor strategy for Senator Michael Knapik when he sought to eliminate Bunker Hill Day and Evacuation Day as Suffolk County holidays. The western Massachusetts legislator, who has led efforts against preserving these observances, crossed a line during last year’s debate with Gene O’Flaherty over legislation that came close to stripping away the holidays. “Isn’t it a wee bit of a coincidence that March 17 is Evacuation Day and that it is the same day as the Feast of St. Patrick and isn’t this symbolic of good old fashioned Boston politics,” Knapik stated during his testimony to the Judiciary Committee that year. The remark constituted what many viewed as an offensive anti-Irish expression, drawing concern from O’Flaherty and South Boston Senator Jack Hart alike. When discussions resumed the following week regarding these same holidays, Knapik appeared once more before O’Flaherty. “I respectfully asked Knapik to be considerate and not to mimic the Irish accent and brogue my father spoke while debating the point before the Judiciary Committee. He was very senatorial,” O’Flaherty responded. According to O’Flaherty’s account to the Chelsea Record, “When the testimony began and his assertions were being questioned, he began to get a bit testy,” he explained. “He didn’t want to compromise in order to save the history of those holidays,” he continued. In subsequent exchanges, Knapik again referred to the holidays as hack holidays, prompting a heated exchange between him and Hart. “Should we also put Patriots Day into the brew to save more money?” Knapik was questioned. “Do you wish to suggest that we get rid of Patriots Day, also?” Hart posed to him. No response came. The proposal to eliminate these Suffolk County holidays currently sits within the Judiciary Committee under O’Flaherty’s leadership, where observers expect it will likely remain indefinitely.
Language barrier – Senator reminded not to use Irish brogue again in debate
