The SCOTTISH COALITION, USA News
The American-Scottish Foundation® is a founding member and treasurer of The Scottish Coalition, USA.
April, 2017
Anne Robertson Kennedy
Scottish Coalition USA
National Tartan Day Awardee 2017
At the annual Tartan Day Reception on Capitol Hill, in Washington, DC on April 5th, the Scottish Coalition, USA once again presented it’s Annual Tartan Day Award to a worthy recipient from the Scottish-American Community. This year the award was presented to Ms. Anne Robertson Kennedy, President of the Living Legacy of Scotland, Inc., a nonprofit charitable and educational organization, which is one of the seven component member organizations of the Scottish Coalition, USA.
Ms. Kennedy is also a member of COSCA and of the Clan Donnachaidh and Clan Kennedy Societies. She has long been active in the Scottish American Community, since emigrating to the USA from Scotland back in the 1970s. Congratulations, Anne!
Below is the text of Anne Kennedy’s remarks to the assembled guests at the award ceremony:
I would like to thank Members of Congress and the Scottish Coalition, USA, Honored Guests, ladies and gentlemen, for presenting to me this prestigious Award.
I was recruited in Scotland in 1971 to work at The World Bank, a job which I greatly enjoyed. I arrived in this country in June 1971. I have been involved in Scottish affairs since I arrived in this country. Early on, I attended meetings in Sarasota at the invitation of the Caledonian Foundation. Shortly thereafter, the Scottish Coalition was formed under the excellent leadership of Mr. Alan Bain and Ms. Duncan MacDonald.
I joined the Arts Club of Washington in 1976. It is the historic home of Scottish-American President James Monroe, fifth President of the United States, and is on the Historic Register. Two years later I was elected to the Board of the Arts Club. Then I was appointed Secretary/Treasurer of its Endowment.
In 1988, I retired from the World Bank and decided to go round the World, which took three months. I arrived in Bangkok, and saw parts of Malaysia, then flew to Australia, and went all round Australia, then on to New Zealand and took a bus tour round that country, then went to Fiji, Hawaii, San Francisco and finally back to Washington, DC.
I was then invited to join the Circumnavigators Club. This is a Club for people who have circumnavigated the globe. The Club’s purpose is to encourage global fellowship and understanding of all cultures.
In 2000, I decided to start an organization called The Living Legacy of Scotland, that would promote and educate people in the USA about all the Scots who have made great contributions, including many inventions which we use to this day. For example:
• John Logie Baird transmitted the first television picture from London to Glasgow, and then from London to New York.
• Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone.
• Adam Smith, economist, philosopher, and author of The Wealth of Nations, shaped modern economic thinking.
• John Muir, Scottish-born American naturalist, was father of the modern conservation movement and the National Park Service; he was also founder of the Sierra Club.
• Andrew Carnegie, Scottish-born Industrialist and philanthropist, funded some 3,000 local libraries in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
• Gilbert Stewart, famous 18th century portrait painter, gave us the single most famous portrait of our first president, George Washington.
But I think the greatest of all was Alexander Fleming, the man who discovered Penicillin --when one realizes the all the lives he saved. When I was in London, I was invited to St. Mary’s hospital to see his laboratory, and the hospital kept it exactly as it was when Fleming made his discovery. The Hospital gave the Laboratory a title “The Alexander Fleming Laboratory Museum.”
The Living Legacy of Scotland, the nonprofit charitable organization I founded, is a membership organization. We hold events each year, open to the public, to celebrate these great Scots and Scottish Americans by holding events to celebrate their contributions to humanity. We have had a number of great speakers over the years, and partner with other Scottish heritage groups to offer speakers and programs. The Living Legacy joined the Scottish Coalition, USA, a number of years ago; we were involved in bringing Sean Connery to Washington, DC for Tartan Day.
I am a member of Clan Donnachaidh, which includes, the Duncans and Robertsons. And I am a member of the Kennedy Society of America. I am a member of the Tartan Day Committee, and also a member of The English Speaking Union and COSCA. In 2011, I was honored by the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland by giving me the title of FSA Scot.
Again, my sincere thanks to all for presenting me with this prestigious award.
Anne Robertson Kennedy
April 14, 2016
National Tartan Day Award Presentation
On Thursday April 14th, 2016, The Scottish Coalition, USA, will present the National Tartan Day Award to Mr. Robert McWilliam as part of Washington DC's annual celebration of Scottish-American heritage. The reception, hosted by the National Capital Tartan Day Committee, will take place on Capitol Hill.
Robert McWilliam has devoted more than 40 years to supporting and promoting Scottish-American culture, in addition to his military, legal, business and philanthropic careers.
"I am delighted at the unanimous selection of Robert McWilliam for the 2016 Scottish Coalition, USA Award," announced Alan L. Bain, President of the TSC, USA and Chairman of the American-Scottish Foundation, a founding member of the coalition.
"Bob never stops!" added Bain. "He has been tireless in his support of so many Scottish-American causes, and I have worked with him on various boards where his energy and dedication has been boundless."
McWilliam, a long-time resident of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, enlisted in the Army after high school, and saw active duty in 1948 and 1949. He served in the reserves for many years, and was promoted to colonel in 1978.
As he completed his active duty in the Army, McWilliam took his bar exams. From 1957, he practiced law before joining a family-owned start-up company in the automotive and metal casting industries. During his 40 years with the company, he traveled extensively, speaking with engineering societies and presenting research papers at international meetings. At the time of his retirement, the company was providing materials and equipment to industries all over the world.
Scottish American Activities
McWilliam has been involved with the Scottish-American community since the 1970s. He is currently:
- President Emeritus, current Trustee, and one of the founding members of The Scottish Coalition USA;
- President Emeritus and current Trustee of the Council of Scottish Clans and Associations (COSCA);
- Past President and current Trustee of the Milwaukee St. Andrews Society and recipient of the Society's Founder's Award;
- Past President and current Trustee of the Caledonian Foundation USA;
- a member of the Board of Directors for Scottish Heritage USA;
- and Emeritus Director of the Clan Donald Foundation.
McWilliam was granted a personal coat of Scottish arms by Scotland's Lord Lyon, King of Arms. The grant is unique in that it was not based on ancestry, but "for service to Scotland and Scottish Culture."
He is the originator of the Wisconsin State Tartan, passed by both houses of
Wisconsin State Tartan originated by Robert McWilliam, signed into law in April, 2009 by
the state legislature and signed into law by Governor James Doyle on April 7, 2008.
In July of 2009, he was invited by the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs to speak in the Debating Chambers of the Scottish Parliament on the occasion of the 2009 International Clan Gathering in Edinburgh.
He was a member of Clan Donald USA's 1993 crew of 13 that rowed and sailed the Aileach - an open decked, 40 foot replica of a Scottish Berlinn ( a short Viking long boat) - from Armadale, Skye; down the west coast of Scotland; through the Inner Hebrides, portaging the Aileach across the Kintyre Isthmus to commemorate Magnus Bare Legs, the King of Norway's 1098 portage; and then up the river Clyde to the center of the city of Glasgow, commemorating the 500th anniversary of the Forfeiture of the Lordship of the Isles.
Other philanthropic work
In addition to his work with the Scottish-American community, McWilliam has been active with the Boy Scouts of America for a number of years, receiving awards for distinguished service and currently serving as a member of the Advisory Board for the Milwaukee County Council.
He has also been very involved with the Knights Templar. In 2003, His Royal Highness, the Grand Master, Don Francisco de Borbon y Escasany, Duke of Seville bestowed upon him the dignity of Knight of Grace in the Military and Hospital Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem.
In 2013, The Sovereign Military Order of the Knights of the Temple of Jerusalem (The Templars) conferred upon him the dignity of their Knight's Grand Cross for his 20 plus years of service, including a term as Prior of their St. John the Baptist Priory.
Family life
McWilliam and his wife Mary have been married for over 40 years. They enjoy spending time with their seven children and 10 grandchildren, and engaging in sailboat racing, camping, canoeing and downhill skiing.
April 15, 2015
National Tartan Day Award Presentation
On Wednesday April 15th, 2015, as part of the National Tartan Day Washington DC celebration of Tartan Day, The Scottish Coalition, USA, presented The National Tartan Day Award to Ms. Marjorie Warren at a reception held at the Rayburn House.
Marjorie Warren is a native Scot from Glasgow who has been deeply involved in the promotion of Scottish culture and heritage since arriving into the United States in 1962. Ms. Warren has a long involvement in historic textiles beginning her career with Glasgow carpet designer Archibald Stevenson & Son Ltd.
Ms Warren is a member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, the Guild of Master Craftsmen of Great Britain, and founder of the Scottish Spinning & Weaving Society.
A great passion of Ms Warren's is the creation of customised tartan patterns which she undertakes in "a room of her own" called Thistle Studio.
April 16, 2015: by Fraser Glen
National Tartan Day Award to be presented to Glasgow woman in Washington, DC
GLASGOW-born Marjorie Warren has been deeply involved in the promotion of Scottish culture and heritage since moving to the United States in 1962.
A Scot will be presented with the National Tartan Day Award in America's capital city later today.
Glasgow-born Marjorie Warren, who has been deeply involved in the promotion of Scottish culture and heritage since moving to the United States in 1962, will be given the award at then Rayburn House in Washington, DC.
A past Treasurer of The Scottish Coalition, Marjorie was very actively involved in the creation and national development of Tartan Day in the United States.
Marjorie is also a member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, the Guild of Master Craftsmen of Great Britain, and founder of the Scottish Spinning & Weaving Society.
Alan L. Bain, President of The Scottish Coalition, USA and Chairman of the American-Scottish Foundation, praised Marjorie for her contribution to the Scotland's textile industry.
He said: "I am delighted at the unanimous selection by the Awards Committee of Marjorie Warren for the 2015 TSC, USA Award".
"I have know and not only worked with Marjorie since the inception of the Coaltion, but also greatly admired her multi faceted contribution to Scotland's textile industry over the years."
The week-long festival celebrating the historic links between Scotland and the USA saw hundreds of events across American cities.
But New York was the centre off the action, which culminated in thousands of people marching down 6th Avenue - the Avenue of the America's - in Manhattan on Saturday.
Dozens of pipe bands, including several from Scotland, joined representatives from Scottish universities, the Scottish Government and Visit Scotland for the iconic Tartan Day Parade led by Outlander actor Graham McTavish.
Almost 300 Outlander fans joined together to march behind the star.
Tricia Marwick, the Scottish Parliament Presiding Officer, was honorary Grand Marshal of the parade.
She said: "It's the most wonderful fun and people come from all over the US and Scotland to take part in Tartan Day, and it's getting bigger every year.
"But it is also a meaningful exercise which is about more than the march. I am accompanied by a cross-party group of MSPs and Parliamentarians who have taken the opportunity to hold meetings in New York with various organisations including mental health and women's committees."
Fiona Hyslop MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Culture, was also in the US for Scotland Week - the Scottish Government led activities during Tartan Week.
She said it was also going from strength to strength.
"I've been in New York and Los Angeles and it's been a combination of promoting Scotland as a place to do business, study and to promote tourism.
"It's the Year of Food and Drink in Scotland so that's also been a focus."
Fiona Hyslop MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Culture, was also in the US for Scotland Week - the Scottish Government led activities during Tartan Week.
She said it was also going from strength to strength.
"I've been in New York and Los Angeles and it's been a combination of promoting Scotland as a place to do business, study and to promote tourism.
"It's the Year of Food and Drink in Scotland so that's also been a focus."
Alan L. Bain elected President of Scottish Coalition
July 9, 2013
Alan L Bain, Chairman of the American-Scottish Foundation, was chosen to be President of the Scottish Coalition, USA at their Annual Meeting.
The ASF is a Founding Member of the Coalition and very involved in their activities.
The Scottish Coalition members are:
The American-Scottish Foundation®
The Council of Scottish Clans and Associations
The Living Legacy of Scotland, Inc.
The Association of Scottish Games and Festivals
The Scottish American Military Society
The Scottish Coalition, USA was the catalyst for the creation of National Tartan Day USA, securing the Senate and House Resolutions for the recognizing of April 6th as National Tartan Day, later confirmed by a Presidential Proclamation.
The Coalition provides oversight and support to Tartan Day celebrations throughout the U.S. through a network of National Tartan Day Coordinators.
In New York City, the American-Scottish Foundation is a founding member of The National Tartan Day New York Committee, together with the St Andrews Society of the State of New York, New York Caledonian Club, and Clan Campbell. The NTDNYC organizes the annual New York Tartan Day Parade and associated events.
The Annual National Tartan Day Award is awarded by the Scottish Coalition USA to an outstanding member of the Scottish-American community for their service to our community.
ASF members march in the 2013 Tartan Day Parade