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Dan Rooney, US Ambassador to Ireland, Returning to Pittsburgh after Distinguished Service to the United States and Ireland

Dan Rooney , United States Ambassador to Ireland, is resigning his post today after serving in President Barack Obama 's Administration for over three years.  Mr. Rooney was sworn into his post on July 1, 2009 and arrived in Ireland later that month. In an article he published in today's Pittsburgh Post Gazette , Mr. Rooney wrote, "It has been an honor and privilege to represent President Barack Obama and the United States of America as ambassador to Ireland. "President Obama charged me to protect and build the historic and deep friendship between our two countries. I am pleased to say this relationship, which is built on enduring family ties, a common heritage and shared values, is the strongest it has ever been. Ours is not a foreign relationship between two countries; ours is a shared kinship between two great peoples," he concluded. Mr. Rooney is also chairman emeritus of the Pittsburgh Steelers .  Here is a video of US Ambassador Dan Roo

Hillary Clinton Delivers Speech on Human Rights in Dublin

(December 6, 2012) -- US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gave a major speech at Dublin City University today entitled Frontlines and Frontiers: Making Human Rights a Human Reality . You can view the video here, or read the entire remarks of the speech . On Friday, December 7, Secretary Clinton travels to Belfast, Northern Ireland to discuss the peace process there. Here are details on the full itinerary . Follow Obama_IrishUSA on twitter .

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Dublin and Belfast This Week

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is traveling Ireland and Northern Ireland on December 6-7, 2012, as part of a European trip that includes visits to Prague and Brussels, according the State Department .  In Dublin, Ireland on December 6-7, Secretary Clinton is participating in the ministerial meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).  The Secretary is also meeting with Irish officials to discuss areas of cooperation in promoting peace, human rights, and economic growth and will deliver a major speech on U.S. achievements in support of human rights globally. Secretary Clinton travels to Belfast, Northern Ireland, December 7, where she will meet with Northern Ireland officials and discuss the peace process, the trilateral U.S.-Ireland Research and Development Partnership and economic opportunities for Northern Ireland.  She will attend an event hosted by The Ireland Funds .  Find updated details by visiting the US Embassy in Dublin

President Obama Supports Small Business Day in America, November 24

President Barack Obama supported Small Business Saturday across the United States on Saturday, November 24, 2012, by shopping with his daughters at One More Page Bookstore in Arlington VA. President Obama wrote on his White House Twitter,   "My family & I started our holiday shopping at a local bookstore on #SmallBizSat. I hope you'll join & shop small this holiday season." There are over 28 million small business in the United States, and last year over 100 million people shopped at independently owned small businesse6s on Small Business Saturday, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration . Follow the White House on Facebook . 

President Obama Giving Live Press Conference at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 14

President Barack Obama is giving a live press conference at the White House on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. You can see a live stream of the press conference here . Follow ongoing press briefings, statements and daily schedules of President Obama .  Find about more about the the major issues being addressed by the Obama Administration .

President Obama Speaks on Growing our Economy and Reducing our Deficit

(November 9, 2012)  President Barack Obama is speaking live from the White House at 1:05 p.m. today to discuss " Growing our Economy and Reducing our Deficit. "  To follow ongoing initiatives from the Obama Administration, sign up for West Wing Weekly .

President Barack Obama Issues 2012 Veterans Day Proclamation

VETERANS DAY, 2012 - - - - - - - BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION Whether they fought in Salerno or Samarra, Heartbreak Ridge or Helmand, Khe Sanh or the Korengal, our veterans are part of an unbroken chain of men and women who have served our country with honor and distinction. On Veterans Day, we show them our deepest thanks. Their sacrifices have helped secure more than two centuries of American progress, and their legacy affirms that no matter what confronts us or what trials we face, there is no challenge we cannot overcome, and our best days are still ahead. This year, we marked the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812. We began to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. We welcomed our veterans back home from Iraq, and we continued to wind down operations in Afghanistan. These milestones remind us that, though much has changed since Americans first took up arms to advance freedom's cause, the spirit that

Full Text of President Barack Obama's Remarks on Election Night

THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary November 7, 2012 REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT ON ELECTION NIGHT Courtesy of the United States Embassy in Dublin, Ireland McCormick Place Chicago, Illinois 12:38 A.M. CST THE PRESIDENT : Tonight, more than 200 years after a former colony won the right to determine its own destiny, the task of perfecting our union moves forward. (Applause.) It moves forward because of you. It moves forward because you reaffirmed the spirit that has triumphed over war and depression; the spirit that has lifted this country from the depths of despair to the great heights of hope -- the belief that while each of us will pursue our own individual dreams, we are an American family, and we rise or fall together, as one nation, and as one people. (Applause.) Tonight, in this election, you, the American people, reminded us that while our road has been hard, while our journey has been long, we have picked ourselves up, we hav

President Obama Thanks His Supporters on Election Night

(November 6, 2012) --  Message from President Barack Obama to his supporters at 11:47 p.m. on election night: I'm about to go speak to the crowd here in Chicago, but I wanted to thank you first. I want you to know that this wasn't fate, and it wasn't an accident. You made this happen. You organized yourselves block by block. You took ownership of this campaign five and ten dollars at a time. And when it wasn't easy, you pressed forward. I will spend the rest of my presidency honoring your support, and doing what I can to finish what we started. But I want you to take real pride, as I do, in how we got the chance in the first place. Today is the clearest proof yet that, against the odds, ordinary Americans can overcome powerful interests. There's a lot more work to do. But for right now: Thank you. ###

Obama Campaign Makes Final Push on Election Day

The campaign to reelect Obama/Biden is making calls all day today, November 6, 2012, to get people to the polls to vote! Here's how you can make some calls.

Obama Campaign Spends Final Hours Getting out the Vote for Election Day on Tuesday, November 6

The campaign to re-elect President Barack Obama is spending the final days of the campaign getting out the vote in all fifty states across the United States. You can find details on your polling place here , or volunteer to get out the vote on election day here. Here are details on President Obama's plans for a second term . Please get out and Vote!  Thank you.

Bill Clinton and Barack Obama Campaign Together in the Final Days Before the Election

Former President Bill Clinton has teamed up with President Barack Obama on the final weekend before the general election next Tuesday, November 6, 2012. On Saturday, Clinton and Obama campaigned in Virginia, and on Sunday the two leaders are in New Hampshire.  Here is a video of President Clinton's speech in Bristow, Virginia . Support the re-election of Barack Obama .  Follow Obama_IrishUSA on Twitter . 

Irish Voice Newspaper in New York City Endorses Barack Obama for President

(This editorial appeared in the October 24, 2012 issue of the Irish Voice Newspaper ) Four years ago American international standing received an enormous boost when Barack Obama was elected president. There is simply no other country on Earth where it could happen that the African American son of a teenage mother who barely knew his father and had every reason to end up a failure becomes the first black president. Overnight the image of America was transformed internationally after the miserable years of the Bush reign when wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and a cowboy mentality towards the rest of the world had created a fierce anti-Americanism. The last four years could not be more different, with America acknowledged again across the world as the international leader, taking the initiative in major international crises such as Iran and Libya and restoring the good name of this country. Obama has strode manfully on that world stage and won respect and admiration

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's Statement on the Murder of Northern Ireland Prison Officer

(November 2, 2012) - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton issued the following statement on the murder of David Black in Northern Ireland : "I strongly condemn yesterday’s senseless murder of David Black, an officer in the Northern Ireland Prison Service, and applaud the swift efforts of the Police Service of Northern Ireland to bring the perpetrators to justice. There is no justification for this outrageous and cowardly act. I offer my sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Officer Black, who had a long and distinguished record of service. The United States remains resolute in support of the people of Northern Ireland, who have condemned violence and embraced the path to peace and reconciliation." For more remarks by Secretary Clinton on Northern Ireland during the Obama Administration , click here.   Follow Obama_IrishUSA on Twitter .

President Obama's Weekly Address: Recovering and Rebuilding After the Storm

(November 3, 2012) -- The President Gives His Weekly Address, Recovering and Rebuilding After the Storm : This weekend, millions of our fellow Americans are still picking up the pieces from one of the worst storms in our history.   I toured New Jersey on Wednesday with Governor Christie, and witnessed some of the terrible devastation firsthand.  It’s heartbreaking.  Families have lost loved ones.  Entire communities have been wiped away.  Even some of the first responders who repeatedly put themselves in harm’s way to bravely save the lives of others have suffered losses of their own. Today, I ask everyone to keep them in your prayers.  And as President, I promise them this: your country will be there for you for as long as it takes to recover and rebuild. Throughout the week, I’ve been in constant contact with governors and mayors in the affected areas, who are doing an excellent job in extraordinarily difficult circumstances. And we owe the first responde

Boston Irish Reporter Newspaper Endorses President Barack Obama

(This editorial appeared in the November 2012 issue of Boston Irish Reporter) If only every decision in life were this easy. President Barack Obama has earned re-election with an impressive first term that will come to be viewed as one of the most productive, progressive, and — ultimately— successful periods in the history of the modern US presidency. Obama has done so in spite of an inherited economic crisis that would have upended lesser leaders and in the face of a Republican Congress whose sole reason for existence over the last two years has been to undermine the president and his initiatives at every turn. The GOP has failed, the president has prevailed, and we enthusiastically endorse his re-election next Tuesday. The president’s health care reform initiative is a milestone achievement. (In a great irony, his detractors quickly labeled the Affordable Care Act measure “Obamacare”, a term that the president came to embrace and one that will no doubt come to carry h

Brian O'Dwyer: Absolutely Essential that Barack Obama is Reelected

(This opinion piece appeared in the Irish Echo, October 31, 2012 ) by Brian O'Dwyer As is the case every four years, Irish Americans find themselves facing a difficult decision on election day, November 6. Once again, there are two candidates with two very different visions for the future of the United States and for Irish-American relations. Between the many attack ads and campaign commercials that seemingly never stop on television, many Irish Americans have probably been left wondering the same question, “which candidate should Irish America stand behind – Governor Mitt Romney or President Barack Obama?” When one examines each candidate’s interaction with Ireland and the Irish-American community and their specific plans, however, the choice becomes much clearer. President Obama is the only candidate who has shown the necessary dedication and hard work needed to ensure a thriving Ireland and prosperous Irish-American relations. The Obama Administration h

Irish Echo Newspaper in New York City Endorses Barack Obama for Four More Years

This editorial appears in the October 31, 2012 edition of the Irish Echo . In a few days the result will be in after voters in all fifty states cast their ballots for the next president. At the time of writing, it looks like a toss-up between President Obama and Governor Mitt Romney. Close elections are good things in that they exercise more minds than might be the case if a runaway win by one candidate seems the likely outcome. This year, voters have been presented with vigorous argument from both incumbent and challenger, and campaigns and debates that have had an especially significant and broad impact on the battle for the White House. Mitt Romney, to the surprise of many in both parties, and those who do not link themselves to either party, has shown himself to be a worthy challenger. It’s clear that many voters, perhaps even a majority, think that he should be the next president. Equally, it’s evident that many voters, again perhaps a majority, feel tha

Mitt Romney Opposes FEMA to Handle America's Natural Disasters

What CNN/New Hampshire GOP Debate, June 13, 2011   What would happen if all natural disaster decisions and funding responsibilities went back to individual states, as candidate Mitt Romney advocates in this 2011 New Hampshire Republican debate? What would happen with cash-strapped states, where would they turn? What about small states like Delaware and Rhode Island, how could they cope? Read Ryan Grim's take on this issue on Huffington Post .  In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, US President George W. Bush recognized in a report prepared by his Administration that a "National Preparedness System must also recognize the role of the Federal government for monitoring and guiding national preparedness efforts." Read President Bush's summary of lessons learned from the Hurricane Katrina catastrophe , where states were overwhelmed by the magnitude of the episode as the federal government failed to step up. Indeed, the report acknowledges that deal

President Obama Meets with FEMA Officials in Wake of Hurricane Sandy

President Barack Obama met with top officials at the FEMA headquarters in Washington DC on Sunday evening to discuss plans for the agency's Hurricane Sandy emergency response.  President Obama said afterwards, "We all owe a debt of thanks to the first responders who will be dealing with the immediate impact of the storm." You can follow the progress of the storm at the National Hurricane Center .   And here is the FEMA Blog for Hurricane safety tips.  Follow Obama_IrishUSA on Twitter. 

President Obama Speaks on Human Trafficing at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York City

President Barack Obama speaks at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York City on Tuesday, September 26, 2012.  See the live video here :   President Obama was introduced today by former President Bill Clinton , who established the Clinton Global Initiative in 2005. To support President Obama's election campaign go to BarackObama.com . Follow Obama_IrishUSA on Twitter.

President Obama Addresses the United Nations General Assembly

President Barack Obama addresses the United Nations on Tuesday, September 25, 2012.  Here is the vide o:  To support President Obama's election campaign go to BarackObama.com . Follow Obama_IrishUSA on Twitter.

President Obama's Weekly Address: Carrying on the Work of Our Fallen Heroes

President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton at the White House on September 12, 2012   (September 15, 2012) -- President Barack Obama gave his weekly address to the nation on the subject, Carrying on the Work of Our Fallen Heroes, in which he says, "This week in Libya, we lost four of our fellow Americans. Glen Doherty, Tyrone Woods, Sean Smith, and Chris Stevens were all killed in an outrageous attack on our diplomatic post in Benghazi. These four Americans represented the very best of our country." President Obama concluded by saying, "We will carry on the work of our fallen heroes....We are Americans. We know that our spirit cannot be broken, and the foundation of our leadership cannot be shaken. That is the legacy of the four Americans we lost – men who will live on in the hearts of those they loved, and the strength of the country they served." Read the entire speech . To support President Obama's election campaign go to BarackObama.co

President Obama Proclaims National Days of Prayer and Remembrance in Honor of 9/11 Victims

(September 7, 2012) -- President Barack Obama today proclaimed National Days of Prayer and Remembrance , from Friday, September 7 through Sunday, September 9, 2012.  Here is the full text: NATIONAL DAYS OF PRAYER AND REMEMBRANCE, 2012 - - - - - - - BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION Eleven years ago, America confronted one of our darkest days. The events of September 11, 2001, brought collapsing towers in Manhattan and billowing smoke at the Pentagon, wreckage on a Pennsylvania field, and deep ache to the soul of our Nation. Nearly 3,000 innocent people lost their lives that morning; still more gave theirs in service during the hours, days, and years that followed. All were loved, and none will be forgotten. On these days of prayer and remembrance, we mourn again the men, women, and children who were taken from us with terrible swiftness, stand with their friends and family, honor the courageous patriots who responded in our coun

President Barack Obama Maps Out His Vision for Four More Years

President Barack Obama accepted his party's nomination last night at the Democratic National Convention , and laid out his vision for moving America forward. "On every issue, the choice you face won't be just between two candidates or two parties. It will be a choice between two different paths for America," President Obama said.  "A choice between two fundamentally different visions for the future." View the Video of President Obama's speech : To support President Obama's election campaign go to BarackObama.com . Follow Obama_IrishUSA on Twitter.

Caroline Kennedy Endorses Barack Obama at the Democratic National Convention

Caroline Kennedy , daughter of President John F. Kennedy and president of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation , gave a rousing endorsement of President Barack Obama for re-election at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, NC. Kennedy told the delegates, "Barack Obama is the kind of leader my father wrote about in "Profiles in Courage." He doesn't just do what's easy. He does what's hard. He does what's right. My father couldn't run for a second term. It was left to his brothers, our family and the generation they inspired to fight for the America he believed in. Now, it's up to a new generation, our children's generation, to carry America forward." Here is the full transcript of Caroline Kennedy's speech .  To support President Obama's election campaign go to BarackObama.com . Follow Obama_IrishUSA on Twitter .

Bill Clinton Gives Fiery Endorsement of Barack Obama at Democratic National Convention

Former US President Bill Clinton officially nominated President Barack Obama for a second term and praised him for laying "the foundation for a more modern, more well-balanced economy that will create millions of jobs." The 48 minute speech before an enraptured and enthusiastic audience included a sweeping overview of economic history over the last fifty years and minute, in-depth analysis contrasting Democratic and Republican styles of governance. At the end of the speech, President Obama walked out on stage and embraced President Clinton, ending an extraordinary night.  Here are highlights of President Clinton's speech , or read the full transcript .  To support President Obama's election campaign go to BarackObama.com . Follow Obama_IrishUSA on Twitter . 

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick Addresses Democratic National Convention

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick gave a fiery speech at the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday, September 4, in praise of President Barack Obama , and urged Democrats to "grow a backbone" in terms of defending the president's record and for his re-election. Read transcript of Governor Patrick's Speech , or view his speech here : Governor Patrick also contrasted President Obama's success to Mitt Romney's one-term as Governor of Massachusetts, saying “Mitt Romney talks a lot about all the things he’s fixed...I can tell you Massachusetts was not one of them.” Patrick, who formed Together PAC , "to encourage people to engage as active citizens at the grassroots level, to inspire candidates to run on their convictions, and to support governing for the long term with an unwavering commitment to generational responsibility as our compass." To support President Obama's election campaign go to BarackObama.com .

John F. Kennedy Library Foundation Hosts Forum on Changing Political Demographics at the Democratic National Convention on September 5

The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation in Boston is hosting a forum called Changing Political Demographics at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, NC on Wednesday, September 5, 2012 from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. The forum features a number of leading politicians and media experts, including Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick , Democratic strategist Maria Cardona, New York Times Columnist Matt Bai, Publisher and Editor in Chief of The New Republic Chris Hughes, and Meet the Press host David Gregory. The event is available to view live on webcast starting at 4:00 p.m. Find out more about the John F. Kennedy President Library , located at Columbia Point in Boston.  To support President Obama's election campaign go to BarackObama.com . Follow Obama_IrishUSA on Twitter .

Joe Kennedy III Speaks at Democratic National Convention, Evokes Ted Kennedy's Spirit

(Photo Courtesy of Brian O'Connor) Joseph P. Kennedy III , a candidate for the Fourth Congressional District of Massachusetts, spoke at the opening night of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, NC last evening.  He evoked the memory and the spirit of his late uncle Senator Ted Kennedy while introducing a video tribute to the senator. Kennedy told the delegates, "This is the first convention since 1956 that we meet without Senator Kennedy, but make no mistake, he is here with us this evening.  I see it in the passion of our delegates, the character of the candidates and the causes that unite us." Reminding delegates of the senator's strong support of Barack Obama in 2008, Kennedy said, "Four years ago, Uncle Teddy marveled at the grit and grace of a young senator who embodied the change our country sorely needed.  As we pause today to remember Senator Kennedy, we recommit ourselves to the learder he entrusted to carry on our cause."

Video: US Pre-Clearance at Dublin Airport, Ireland

The United States Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) facility at Terminal 2 at Dublin Airport in Ireland allows US bound passengers to undertake all immigration, customs and agriculture inspections at Dublin prior to departure.  Here is a short video describing the process: For more information about going to the United States, contact the US Embassy in Dublin. Follow Obama_IrishUSA on Twitter .  

President Obama Hails US Landing on Planet Mars

Photo Courtesy of NASA (August 6, 2012) -- Statement by President Barack Obama on Curiosity Landing on Mars: "Tonight, on the planet Mars, the United States of America made history. "The successful landing of Curiosity – the most sophisticated roving laboratory ever to land on another planet – marks an unprecedented feat of technology that will stand as a point of national pride far into the future.  It proves that even the longest of odds are no match for our unique blend of ingenuity and determination. "Tonight’s success, delivered by NASA, parallels our major steps forward towards a vision for a new partnership with American companies to send American astronauts into space on American spacecraft. That partnership will save taxpayer dollars while allowing NASA to do what it has always done best – push the very boundaries of human knowledge. And tonight’s success reminds us that our preeminence – not just in space, but here on Earth – depends on c