Irish Americans for Biden Harris

Statement by President Barack Obama :  "I and Vice President Biden welcome the news from Belfast this morning that the political parties of Northern Ireland, together with the governments of the United Kingdom and Ireland, have reached a broad agreement that paves the way for the continuation of Northern Ireland’s governing institutions.  Just as importantly, the agreement also enables further progress on dealing with the issues of the past.   "I congratulate all the leaders involved who, once again, have shown that when there is a will and the courage to overcome the issues that have divided the people of Northern Ireland, there is a way to succeed for the benefit of all.   "I look forward to the final ratification of this agreement by all the relevant parties, and to the continued advancement of a peace process that is leading to a better future for the people of Northern Ireland.  I also want to thank Gary Hart for his hard work in s...

US Secretary of State  John Kerry  named former Colorado Senator Gary Hart as the new representative for Northern Ireland issues.   Kerry said Hart will play a "direct, on-the-ground diplomatic role." In a statement released on October 21, 2014, Secretary Kerry said, "I've asked Senator Hart to support the parties in Northern Ireland as they enter a new round of talks to achieve a lasting peace. We welcome these new talks, supported by the United Kingdom and Ireland . I am confident Senator Hart will help the parties strengthen the institutions and economy of Northern Ireland , as well as reinvigorate efforts to promote a shared society. Our Consul General in Belfast Greg Burton will serve as Senator Hart’s deputy for his Northern Ireland work. Senator Hart expects to visit Belfast before the end of the month." Here is the  full statement . Father Sean McManus, founder of the  Irish National Caucus  and long-time authority on Northern Irel...

Kevin F. O'Malley , the new US Ambassador to the Ireland appointed by President Barack Obama , issued a video greeting this week to the Irish people. "I'm delighted to join you here in Ireland," O'Malley said in the video, adding that he would "look forward to building on the family, cultural and business ties we share between our two countries." O'Malley was nominated by President Obama on June 5, 2014 and was confirmed by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on September 18, 2014. Here is a biography of Ambassador O'Malley. The US Embassy to Ireland is located at 42 Elgin Road in Ballsbridge, Dublin.

Tuesday, October 7, 2014 marks the 90th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Ireland and the United States.  That was the day, in 1924, when "Professor Timothy Smiddy presented his credentials as Ambassador of the Irish Free State to U.S. President Calvin Coolidge ," according to a new video issued by the  Embassy of Ireland in the United States . "America became the first country with whom we established diplomatic relations," noted Anne Anderson , Ireland's current Ambassador to the United States, in the video. But it would take almost three more years before Washington and Dublin could enjoy a reciprocal diplomatic relation because of a lack of clarification about the "status of each one of the self-governing Dominions constituting the British Commonwealth," wrote The Boston Globe  on August 21, 1927.  Once that obstacle was clarified, the United States soon after assigned career diplomat Frederick Sterling to serve as the fir...

Kevin O'Malley , President Barack Obama's nominee to be the U.S. Ambassador to Ireland, was confirmed for the postion by the U.S. Senate on Thursday, September 18, 2014. President Obama had nominated Mr. O'Malley on June 5, 2014.   O'Malley testified before the S enate Foreign Relations Committee in July. The post had been empty for 21 months, last held by Dan Rooney , who held the job for over three years. The U.S. Embassy in Ireland is located at 42 Elgin Road in Ballsbridge, Dublin.

Kevin O'Malley testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations this week about becoming the U.S. Ambassador to Ireland. It was part of a full day of hearings at the Capitol. Here is Mr. O'Malley's full testimony . O'Malley said, "Ireland is one of our most reliable allies and stable trading partners," adding that "Trade and investment ties between the United States and Ireland will be furthered strengthened if we can reach agreement on an ambitious Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership." President Obama nominated O'Malley  on June 5, 2014 to replace former U.S. Ambassador Dan Rooney , who retired in December 2012. The U.S. Embassy in Ireland is located at 42 Elgin Road in Dublin's Ballsbridge neighborhood.  Find current activities on Facebook .

President Barack Obama addressed the pressing issue of immigration reform on June 9, 2014, after meeting with Texas Governor Rick Perry about the influx of children from Central America coming into the Rio Grande basin. President Obama said  Congress must be "prepared to act in order to solve the problem.  I urged the Governor to talk to the Texas delegation is prepared to move" on the  supplemental legislation, "this problem could get solved." Here is more information on the President's White  House policy on immigration reform .

President Barack Obama nominated Kevin F. O'Malley, a respected attorney in St. Louis and long-time supporter of the president, as the next U.S. Ambassador to the United States.  The nomination was sent to the United States Senate on June 5, 2014 for confirmation. Mr. O'Malley will fill the position last held by Daniel Rooney of Pittsburgh, PA, who left the post in December 2012. Here is the White House's information on O'Malley  . : Kevin F. O’Malley is an officer in the Litigation Department at Greensfelder, Hemker and Gale in St. Louis, Missouri and has been a practicing trial lawyer for over 35 years.  Mr. O’Malley has been an adjunct professor at Washington University School of Law since 2013, and taught at St. Louis University School of Law from 1979 to 1985.  He served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in St. Louis from 1979 to 1983 and was a Special Attorney in the Organized Crime and Racketeering Section of the Department of Justice from 1974 to 1979...

Support the White House policies on immigration reform.  

Here is a statement by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry regarding St. Patrick's Day: The American people join Irish people all over the world in celebrating St. Patrick’s Day on March 17. Today, we look back with pride on Irish contributions to America’s history and cultural heritage. But we also look forward as Irish immigrants continue to renew America and remind us of our common roots. President Obama said it best: “There’s always been a little green behind the red, white, and blue.” I couldn’t agree more. As a former Senator from Massachusetts, home to one of the largest Irish-American populations in our country, I hold a special appreciation of what Ireland means to America. There are many Irish immigrants who have helped write America’s story with their incredible success. Today, we honor them and the next generation of leaders on both sides of the Atlantic who are supporting this vital relationship. Our partnership is broader and deeper than ev...

President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle, along with Vice President Joe Biden, welcomed Ireland's Prime Minister Enda Kenny and his wife Finnuala to the White House on Friday, March 14, 2014.  Earlier in the day, President Obama and Prime Minister Kenny met to discuss issues of mutual interest, including progress in Northern Ireland and immigration.  Here are comments .

IRISH-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH, 2014 - - - - - - - BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION Centuries after America welcomed the first sons and daughters of the Emerald Isle to our shores, Irish heritage continues to enrich our Nation. This month, we reflect on proud traditions handed down through the generations, and we celebrate the many threads of green woven into the red, white, and blue. Irish Americans have defended our country through times of war, strengthened communities from coast to coast, and poured sweat and blood into building our infrastructure and raising our skyscrapers. Some endured hunger, hardship, and prejudice; many rose to be leaders of government, industry, or culture. Their journey is a testament to the resilience of the Irish character, a people who never stopped dreaming of a brighter future and never stopped striving to make that dream a reality. Today, Americans of all backgrounds can find commo...

President Barack Obama delivered his annual State of the Union speech tonight before the joint Congress.  You can hear the speech live . Follow the President's speech on twitter .