When President Bush was asked at the weekend to nominate four great Irish-Americans to mark Irish Heritage Month, what names came to his mind? Conor O'Clery reports from New York
President John F. Kennedy, of course, was one. He "led America with steadfast determination during a time of great challenge", says Mr Bush.
Cardinal John O'Connor, the fierce anti-abortion prelate who died in 2000 after serving the people of New York "with conviction and compassion", was another.
The final two figures singled out by President Bush are of Scots-Irish ancestry and reflect a focus on Texas, Mr Bush's home state, and his current preoccupation with security and defence.
Both Davy Crockett and Sam Houston "helped settle the west", said Mr Bush, in a proclamation issued on Saturday to celebrate March as Irish Heritage Month.
Davey Crockett, celebrated in song as the "king of the wild frontier", was descended from Scots-Irish immigrants to Tennessee and made a name for himself as a fighter against Indians.
In Texas, he is remembered as a heroic participant in the 1836 Battle of the Alamo, where he was one of 189 defenders to perish at the hands of Mexican troops.
Sam Houston was the grandson of Robert Houston, who was born in the north of Ireland.
He lived for a while with Cherokee Indians and took an Indian wife.
He was elected governor of Tennessee and later became a major general in the Texas army, where he defeated the Mexican general Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna at the battle of San Jacinto.
Subsequently elected president of an independent Texas, Houston refused to join the Confederate side, despite being a slave-owner, when Texas seceded from the Union.
"During Irish-American Heritage Month, we recognise these proud citizens and their important contributions to America," said Mr Bush. "Irish-Americans have helped settle the American frontier, build our cities and defend our homeland. Through their service in government and the military, they have helped to uphold our democracy and advance liberty and peace around the world.
"Through their dedication to faith and family, they have strengthened our communities and enriched our nation's character,"the President concluded.