Irish Americans for Biden Harris

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Good evening, everybody. Welcome to the White House on this beautiful St. Patrick’s Day. (Applause.) It was remarked upon that the fountain is the appropriate green this year. (Applause.) Last year, Michelle asked the White House team to make the fountain green, and it was a little tepid. (Laughter.) So people just thought there was algae in the fountain. (Laughter.) This year they made sure that there was no confusion, so we’re very happy about that. (Applause.) I am not going to stand up here very long because, as the old Irish saying goes, everyone is wise until he speaks. (Laughter.) And I know we’ve got some entertainment to get to. But the Irish also tells us that what fills the eye fills the heart. And tonight, in this room filled with so many friends both old and new, I can’t imagine a better place to be than right here with the sons and daughters of Ireland -- and those who wish they were. (Laughter.) I wa...

At a press conference at the White House today, President Barack Obama confirmed that he is planning to visit Ireland in late May, 2011, as part of his European visit: "I wanted to say today that I intend to come to Ireland in May, and I’m expecting to go not only to all the famous sites, but also to go to Moneygall, where my great-great-great-great-great grandfather hails from. Joe Biden is envious because he wants to go first -- (laughter) -- but my expectation is, is that I’ll just be laying the groundwork for what I’m sure will be an even more wonderful trip by him. But I’m very much looking forward to that."

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, everybody. Thank you so much. Everyone, please have a seat. To Taoiseach Kenny; to his lovely wife, who has made a wonderful luncheon companion; to the Vice President who is here; to our host, Speaker Boehner, for gathering us together; Ambassador Collins and Mrs. Collins; distinguished members of the House and Senate; distinguished guests from Irish, Northern Irish, and British governments: It is wonderful to be here and a great privilege. It’s my privilege to join all of you today for this wonderful St. Patrick’s Day celebration –- a day when red, white, and blue has a strong hint of green. Taoiseach Kenny, welcome. We thank you for joining us. Your presence at this lunch virtually guarantees that any partisan clashes will be limited to who is more Irish than whom. (Laughter.) Now, speaking of ancestry, there has been some controversy about my own background. (Laughter.) Two years into my presidency, some are still bent on peddling rumors ab...

The White House Office of the Press Secretary For Immediate Release / March 17, 2011 _______________________________________________ PRESIDENT OBAMA: Hello, everybody. It is my great pleasure on St. Patrick’s Day to welcome the new Taoiseach, Prime Minister Kenny. We are thrilled to have him here. And we want to congratulate him on his historic victory. We obviously have the strongest possible relationship with Ireland. The warmth, the affection, the familial and person-to-person contacts between our two countries extend far beyond any dry policy issues. There is just an incredible bond between our two countries. And that’s one that we want to reaffirm here today. We have had an excellent conversation about how Ireland is going to be bouncing back from the severe economic challenges that it’s experienced over the last several years. The Taoiseach shared with me his plans and his efforts to make sure that people are put back to work in Ireland, that the financial system is stabilized....

President Barack Obama and Vice-President Joe Biden have a busy schedule this St. Patrick's Day in Washington, DC. Here is a schedule of Irish activities released by the White House Press Office for Thursday, March 17, 2011. 10:30 am The President and Vice President meet with Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny Oval Office 11:05 am The President and Irish Prime Minister Kenny will deliver statements to the press; the Vice President also attends Oval Office 12:00 pm The President, Vice President and Irish Prime Minister Kenny attend a St. Patrick’s Day lunch United States Capitol 12:30 pm Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney James S. Brady Briefing Room 7:05 pm The President and First Lady host a St. Patrick’s Day reception; the Vice President attends East Room

The White House Office of the Press Secretary _____________________________________________ For Immediate Release / March 11, 2011 Readout of the President's Call with Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny The President spoke this morning with Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny to congratulate him on assuming his office and to wish him good luck as the new Taoiseach. The President assured the Prime Minister of the United States’ strong support for Ireland. The two leaders expressed their commitment to strengthening the enduring bond between Ireland and United States and to advancing the interests of their two peoples through close cooperation. Prime Minister Kenny accepted the President’s invitation to the White House on Saint Patrick’s Day. The two leaders look forward to continuing their discussion on even...

IRISH-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH, 2011 BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION Our diverse Nation has been shaped by the sacrifices and successes of those who crossed both land and sea in pursuit of a common dream. For millions of Americans, this journey began in Ireland. In the wake of the Great Hunger, many sons and daughters of Erin came to our shores seeking a brighter day, with only courage and the enduring values of faith and family to sustain them. Alongside many others who sought a better life in a new Nation, these intrepid immigrants built strong communities and helped forge our country's future. During Irish-American Heritage Month, we honor the contributions Irish Americans have made, and celebrate the nearly 40 million among us who proudly trace their roots back to Ireland. From the earliest days of our Republic, the Irish have overcome discrimination and carved out a place for themselves in the American sto...