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Caroline Kennedy Endorses President Obama for Re-election

2012-01-29T10:01:00.000-08:00

Caroline Kennedy urged voters to work to re-elect Barack Obama, recalling the event four years ago when her late uncle, Senator Ted Kennedy, endorsed Obama before a crowd of enthusiastic students and supporters at American University in Washington DC.

"The 2012 election will be harder than the last," Caroline said. "In his speech four years ago, Teddy reminded us all of that bright light of hope and possibility that shines even in the darkest hours. He knew that with Barack Obama as president, America would shine again. I don't think he would be surprised to know that four years later, this president would have ended the war in Iraq, repealed 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' and guaranteed women the right to equal pay for equal work."

To read Caroline Kennedy's full statement, click here.

Here is the video of Senator Kennedy's endorsement of Barack Obama on January 28, 2008.

You can follow Obama_IrishUSA on Twitter.

President Obama previews his State of the Union address of January 24, 2012

2012-01-22T09:56:00.000-08:00

President Barack Obama has recorded a message previewing some of what he'll talk about during his State of the Union address on Tuesday, January 24, 2012. Take a minute to watch—then find a house party in your neighborhood.

To follow the America for Obama campaign, click here.

For ongoing information about Irish-Americans for Obama/Biden, follow Obama_IrishUSA on tweeter.

President Obama Goal: To Make United States the World's Top Travel Destination

2012-01-19T08:21:00.000-08:00

(January 19, 2012) -- Today President Barack Obama is announcing new initiatives to significantly increase travel and tourism to the United States while also adding jobs to the economy. The goal is to make the United States the world’s top travel and tourism destination, according to a White House press release.

Read full details from today's Press Release.

“Every year, tens of millions of tourists from all over the world come and visit America. And the more folks who visit America, the more Americans we get back to work,” said President Obama.

Among the highlights of the plan:

- Connect new travel and tourism opportunities with job creation in the United States
- Focus visitor interest in America's national parks, wildlife refuges, cultural and historic sites, monuments and other public lands
- Make the Visa Waiver Program a permanent program to expedite non-immigrant tourist visa applications from international visitors
- Create a public access web site with with key information to inform the travel industry about visa processes in key markets

Among the government agencies involved in the nation's tourism efforts are Commerce, Interior, State and Homeland Security.

President Obama has been a staunch ally of the tourism industry throughout his term, and was an early supporter of the tourism initiative while campaigning in 2008.

President Obama signed into law the bi-partisan National Travel Promotion Act into law on March 4, 2010, helping to stimulate domestic and international tourism to the United States.

To support the re-election of President Barack Obama, click here.

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Obama for America Re-Election Campaign Touts the Obama Administration Energy Policies

2012-01-19T05:24:00.000-08:00

The campaign to re-elect President Barack Obama has issued a new 30 second television ad that puts into perspective the Obama Administration's energy policies and accomplishments in the first term.

In related news, President Obama this week denied the permit to build the Keystone XL oil line, citing unreasonable deadlines by Congress to ram the bill through in 60 days without thorough review. To read the president's statement, click here.

To learn more about President Obama's energy policies, click here.

Follow on Twitter: Obama_IrishUSA.

Assessing the Obama Presidency Forum at John F. Kennedy Library on January 15

2012-01-12T04:03:00.000-08:00

The John F. Kennedy President Library in Boston is hosting a forum entitled, Assessing Obama's Presidency, to take place on Sunday, January 15, 2012 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.

Participants include Jonathan Alter, author of The Promise: President Obama, YearOne, and Hendrik Hertzberg, columnist for The New Yorker, analyze the Obamapresidency as the 2012 presidential race begins. Moderator is former Boston Globe EditorialPage Editor Renee Loth.

For a list of upcoming public forums at JFK Library, click here.

To support the re-election of President Barack Obama, click here.

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Barack Obama Wins New Hampshire's Primary

2012-01-11T04:03:00.000-08:00

President Barack Obama won this year's Democratic Primary in New Hampshire. An army of volunteers spread out across the Granite State to talk about the President's record and hear from voters. To see a slideshow of photos from the volunteers, click here.

The Washington Post called the New Hampshire primary a "dress rehearsal for November."

Among the first-term accomplishments touted by the Obama campaign:

- Passed the Affordable Care Act to make health care more affordable for more than 30 million Americans.

- Cut taxes for 95% of working families and closed corporate tax loopholes that were sending profits overseas.

- Put in place historic fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks to lower costs at the pump and reduce dependence on foreign oil.

- Ended the war in Iraq.

To support the re-election of President Barack Obama, click here.

Follow Obama_IrishUSA Twitter.

Bill Daley, White House Chief of Staff, Resigns to Return to Chicago

2012-01-09T14:07:00.000-08:00

(January 9, 2012) -- Bill Daley, Chief of Staff to President Barack Obama, has resigned from his post to spend more time in Chicago with his family and grandchildren.

In remarks today at the State Dining Room, President Obama said, "Bill has been an outstanding Chief of Staff during one of the busiest and most consequential years of my administration.

The president thanked Bill for "his extraordinary service, but also his extraordinary friendship and loyalty to me." Read the president's full statement here.

Daley helped organize President Obama's trip to Ireland in May 2011, and reflected upon the trip in an interview he gave to Susan Falvella Garraty of the Irish Echo just prior to the visit. You can read the Echo interview here.

For ongoing information on Irish-Americans for Obama/Biden, follow Obama_IrishUSA on tweeter.

White House Announces New Summer Jobs Initiative for America's Youth

2012-01-05T08:03:00.000-08:00

(January 5, 2012) -- Today, the White House announced Summer Jobs+, a new call to action for businesses, non-profits, and government to work together to provide pathways to employment for low-income and disconnected youth in the summer of 2012.

President Barack Obama described Summer Jobs + as "a joint initiative that challenges business leaders and communities to join my Administration in providing hundreds of thousands of summer jobs for America’s youth.”

Employers who want to get involved can go directly to Summer Jobs +2012 for details.

Follow ongoing news about President Obama on Twitter @ Obama_IrishUSA

President Barack Obama and the Iowa Caucus

2012-01-03T15:08:00.000-08:00

(January 3, 2012) -- Four years ago today, Barack Obama won the Iowa caucus. In his victory speech that night, the then-Senator laid out his vision for what we would accomplish together, from ending the war in Iraq to health care reform.

"I'll be a President who finally makes health care affordable and available to every single American... I'll be a President who ends tax breaks for companies who ship our jobs overseas and put a middle class tax cut into the pockets of working Americans who deserve...I'll be a President who harnesses ingenuity farmers, scientists, and entrepreneurs to free this nation from the tyranny of oil once and for all... and I'll be a president who ends this war in Iraq and finally brings our troops home."

Four years later, here's what we've accomplished:

- Passed the Affordable Care Act to make health care more affordable for more than 30 million Americans.

- Cut taxes for 95% of working families and closed corporate tax loopholes that were sending profits overseas.

- Put in place historic fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks to lower costs at the pump and reduce dependence on foreign oil.

- Ended the war in Iraq.

To support the re-election of President Barack Obama, click here.

Follow Obama_IrishUSA Twitter.

President and Mrs. Obama Send Christmas Greetings to America, December 25, 2011

2011-12-24T13:51:00.000-08:00

President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama offer a special holiday tribute to some of the strongest, bravest, and most resilient members of our American family – the men and women who wear our country’s uniform and the families who support them.

The theme for this 2011 holiday season is "Shine, Give, Share," which offers an opportunity to pay tribute to our troops, veterans, and their families throughout the White House.

View this Christmas Greeting from President and Mrs. Obama on December 24, 2011:

US State Department to Review J1 Summer Work Visas for Foreign Students

2011-12-09T08:05:00.001-08:00

The Boston Globe reports that US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has ordered "an extensive and thorough review" of the J1 Summer Work Travel Visa that allows students from around the world to work in the United States each summer.

The program has come under fire recently for a variety of abuses that include poor living conditions and workplace problems for many of the 150,000 students who use the visa each year.

Among the countries using the J-1 visa, according to the Globe story, are Russia, Brazil, Ukraine, Thailand, Ireland, Bulgaria, Peru, Moldova and Poland.

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President Obama, in Kansas, Evokes Teddy Roosevelt in Call for Economic Equality

2011-12-07T08:39:00.001-08:00

President Barack Obama returned to his mother's state of Kansas this week and called for a new economic equality that ensures shared prosperity and responsibility in the spirit of President Theodore Roosevelt.

"Roosevelt understood the free market only works when there are rules of the road that ensure competition is fair and open and honest," the president said to the audience in Osawatomie, Kansas, a place President Roosevelt visited in 1910. "And so he busted up monopolies, forcing those companies to compete for consumers with better services and better prices. And today, they still must. He fought to make sure businesses couldn’t profit by exploiting children or selling food or medicine that wasn’t safe. And today, they still can’t."

You can read the entire speech here.

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President Obama Meets EU Leaders Amid Euro Crisis

2011-11-30T19:14:00.001-08:00

(Photo: Herman Van Rompuy, President Obama and Jose Manuel Barroso)

"The United States urged European Union officials to move forcefully and decisively in responding to the mounting crisis involving the euro and a potential threat to the world economy," according to a report by the US State Department.

President Barack Obama met with European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President José Manuel Barroso at the White House for an annual summit. Much of the discussion focused on the euro crisis and its potential impact on the world economy and the United States.

To read the full story by Merle David Kellerhals, Jr., click here.

To view regular updates about European affairs, visit Embassy of the United States in Dublin.

US Ambassador Dan Rooney Convenes Jobs Conference in Dublin, Ireland

2011-10-09T14:39:00.000-07:00

Photo, left to right: John Sweeney, President Emeritus of AFL-CIO; Richard Bruton, T.D., Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and Daniel M. Rooney, US Ambassador to Ireland.

On October 7, 2011 US Ambassador Daniel M. Rooney, An Taoiseach Enda Kenny T.D. and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton, T.D. hosted a bilateral business conference entitled “Growing Jobs: US-Ireland Priorities and Bilateral Opportunities.”

To read Ambassador Rooney's remarks, click here.

Find out more about the US Embassy in Ireland or follow it on FaceBook.

To follow Irish Americans for Obama/Biden on Tweeter, click here.

US Attorney General Eric Holder Visits Ireland, Praises US-Ireland Relations

2011-09-22T05:21:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, September 21, 2011, United States Attorney General Eric Holder was in Dublin, Ireland, addressing the Institute of International and European Affairs on “Advancing Common Priorities: Combating Crime and Ensuring Gobal Security through International Partnerships.”

Holder praised "a tradition of cooperation (between Ireland and the United States) that stretches back nearly two and a half centuries – to the time when America was little more than a grand, improbable idea."

To read the entire speech, click here. To view a video of the speech, click here.

You can find ongoing information on US-Ireland relations by visiting the US Embassy in Ireland website.

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Remarks of Dan Rooney, US Ambassador to Ireland, on September 11, 2011

2011-09-14T06:41:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, September 11, 2011 U.S. Ambassador to IrelandDaniel M. Rooney and his wife Mrs. Patricia Rooney held a Ceremony of Peace andReflection at the Royal Dublin Society Concert Hall (RDS) to mark the tenthanniversary of the September 11 attacks.

To read a full transcript of Ambassador Rooney's remarks, click here.

You can find ongoing information about Ambassador Rooney and the American diplomatic mission in Ireland by visiting http://dublin.usembassy.gov/index.html

US Embassy in Dublin to hold Ceremony of Reflection and Peace on September 11, 2011

2011-09-09T12:29:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, September 11, 2011 at 1:00 p.m.(GMT) the U.S. Embassy in Dublin, Ireland is holding a special Ceremony of Reflection and Peace in honor of the 10th anniversary of September 11, 2011 and to remember the victims of 9/11.

Joining US Ambassador Dan Rooney at the Embassy are Ireland's President Mary McAleese and Taoiseach Enda Kenny. You can see a full schedule of activities for the day by clicking here.

For more information about the US Embassy in Ireland, click here or follow it on Facebook.

To find out more about President Barack Obama and ceremonies marking 9/11, visit the WhiteHouse.

Follow Irish Americans for Obama/Biden on Twitter.

Ethnic Communities Meet with White House Officials on Immigration Reform

2011-08-17T09:07:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday, August 11, 2011, leaders from a variety of ethnic communities – from Irish, to Polish, to Macedonian and many others - met at the White House to discuss the way forward on immigration reform.

For details on this meeting, visit the White House Office of Public Engagement.

President Barack Obama issued his Blueprint for Building a 21st Century Immigration System, during a speech in El Paso Texas on May 10, 2011.

To have a voice in the immigration reform issue, visit the White House Roundtable on Immigration Reform.

Photos of President and Mrs. Obama in Ireland Online at US Embassy Site

2011-05-27T05:37:00.001-07:00

The US Embassy in Dublin has great photos of the recent trip to Ireland by President Barack Obama and first Lady Michelle Obama.

To view the photos, click here.

US Ambassador to Ireland Dan Rooney welcomed the Obamas on their arrival at Dublin Airport and accompanied them to Moneygall, County Offaly.

White House Blog Captures Spirit of President Obama's Trip to Ireland

2011-05-25T04:53:00.000-07:00

White House blogger Jesse Lee has captured the spirit of excitement and enthusiasm that greeted President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama during their visit to Ireland on Monday, May 23, 2011.

You can read blog in its entirety.

To read President Obama's speech in Dublin at an outdoor rally attended by 60,000 people, click here.

President Obama's Speech in Dublin, Ireland, May 23, 2011

2011-05-23T14:25:00.000-07:00

Remarks of President Obama at Irish Celebration in Dublin Ireland, Monday, May 21, 2011. For Full White House transcript, click here.

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you! Hello, Dublin! Hello, Ireland! My name is Barack Obama -- of the Moneygall Obamas. And I've come home to find the apostrophe that we lost somewhere along the way.

Some wise Irish man or woman once said that broken Irish is better than clever English. So here goes: Tá áthas orm bheith in Éirinn -- I am happy to be in Ireland! I'm happy to be with so many á cairde.

I want to thank my extraordinary hosts -- first of all, Taoiseach Kenny -- -- his lovely wife, Fionnuala -- -- President McAleese and her husband, Martin -- -- for welcoming me earlier today. Thank you, Lord Mayor Gerry Breen and the Gardai for allowing me to crash this celebration.

Let me also express my condolences on the recent passing of former Taoiseach Garrett Fitzgerald -- -- someone who believed in the power of education, someone who believed in the potential of youth, most of all, someone who believed in the potential of peace and who lived to see that peace realized.

And most of all, thank you to the citizens of Dublin and the people of Ireland for the warm and generous hospitality you’ve shown me and Michelle. It certainly feels like 100,000 welcomes. We feel very much at home. I feel even more at home after that pint that I had. Feel even warmer.

In return let me offer the hearty greetings of tens of millions of Irish Americans who proudly trace their heritage to this small island. They say hello.

Now, I knew that I had some roots across the Atlantic, but until recently I could not unequivocally claim that I was one of those Irish Americans. But now if you believe the Corrigan Brothers, there’s no one more Irish than me.

So I want to thank the genealogists who traced my family tree.

It turns out that people take a lot of interest in you when you're running for President. They look into your past. They check out your place of birth. Things like that. Now, I do wish somebody had provided me all this evidence earlier because it would have come in handy back when I was first running in my hometown of Chicago -- -- because Chicago is the Irish capital of the Midwest. A city where it was once said you could stand on 79th Street and hear the brogue of every county in Ireland.

So naturally a politician like me craved a slot in the St. Patrick’s Day parade. The problem was not many people knew me or could even pronounce my name. I told them it was a Gaelic name. They didn’t believe me.

So one year a few volunteers and I did make it into the parade, but we were literally the last marchers. After two hours, finally it was our turn. And while we rode the route and we smiled and we waved, the city workers were right behind us cleaning up the garbage. It was a little depressing. But I’ll bet those parade organizers are watching TV today and feeling kind of bad ---- because this is a pretty good parade right here.

Now, of course, an American doesn’t really require Irish blood to understand that ours is a proud, enduring, centuries-old relationship; that we are bound by history and friendship and shared values. And that’s why I’ve come here today, as an American President, to reaffirm those bonds of affection.

Earlier today Michelle and I visited Moneygall where we saw my ancestral home and dropped by the local pub. And we received a very warm welcome from all the people there, including my long-lost eighth cousin, Henry. Henry now is affectionately known as Henry VIII. And it was remarkable to see the small town where a young shoemaker named Falmouth Kearney, my great-great-great grandfather, my grandfather’s grandfather, lived his early life. And I was the shown the records from the parish recording his birth. And we saw the home where he lived.

And he left during the Great Hunger, as so many Irish did, to seek a new life in the New World. He traveled by ship to New York, where he entered himself into the records as a laborer. He married an American girl from Ohio. They settled in the Midwest. They started a family.

It’s a familiar story because it’s one lived and cherished by Americans of all backgrounds. It’s integral to our national identity. It’s who we are, a nation of immigrants from all around the world.

But standing there in Moneygall, I couldn’t help but think how heartbreaking it must have been for that great-great-great grandfather of mine, and so many others, to part. To watch Donegal coasts and Dingle cliffs recede. To leave behind all they knew in hopes that something better lay over the horizon.

When people like Falmouth boarded those ships, they often did so with no family, no friends, no money, nothing to sustain their journey but faith -- faith in the Almighty; faith in the idea of America; faith that it was a place where you could be prosperous, you could be free, you could think and talk and worship as you pleased, a place where you could make it if you tried.

And as they worked and struggled and sacrificed and sometimes experienced great discrimination, to build that better life for the next generation, they passed on that faith to their children and to their children’s children -- an inheritance that their great-great-great grandchildren like me still carry with them. We call it the America Dream.

It’s the dream that Falmouth Kearney was attracted to when he went to America. It’s the dream that drew my own father to America from a small village in Africa. It’s a dream that we’ve carried forward -- sometimes through stormy waters, sometimes at great cost -- for more than two centuries. And for my own sake, I’m grateful they made those journeys because if they hadn’t you’d be listening to somebody else speak right now.

And for America’s sake, we’re grateful so many others from this land took that chance, as well. After all, never has a nation so small inspired so much in another.

Irish signatures are on our founding documents. Irish blood was spilled on our battlefields. Irish sweat built our great cities. Our spirit is eternally refreshed by Irish story and Irish song; our public life by the humor and heart and dedication of servants with names like Kennedy and Reagan, O’Neill and Moynihan. So you could say there’s always been a little green behind the red, white and blue.

When the father of our country, George Washington, needed an army, it was the fierce fighting of your sons that caused the British official to lament, “We have lost America through the Irish.” And as George Washington said himself, “When our friendless standards were first unfurled, who were the strangers who first mustered around our staff? And when it reeled in the light, who more brilliantly sustained it than Erin’s generous sons?”

When we strove to blot out the stain of slavery and advance the rights of man, we found common cause with your struggles against oppression. Frederick Douglass, an escaped slave and our great abolitionist, forged an unlikely friendship right here in Dublin with your great liberator, Daniel O’Connell. His time here, Frederick Douglass said, defined him not as a color but as a man. And it strengthened the non-violent campaign he would return home to wage.

Recently, some of their descendents met here in Dublin to commemorate and continue that friendship between Douglass and O’Connell.

When Abraham Lincoln struggled to preserve our young union, more than 100,000 Irish and Irish Americans joined the cause, with units like the Irish Brigade charging into battle -- green flags with gold harp waving alongside our star-spangled banner.

When depression gripped America, Ireland sent tens of thousands of packages of shamrocks to cheer up its countrymen, saying, “May the message of Erin shamrocks bring joy to those away.”

And when an Iron Curtain fell across this continent and our way of life was challenged, it was our first Irish President -- our first Catholic President, John F. Kennedy, who made us believe 50 years ago this week -- -- that mankind could do something big and bold and ambitious as walk on the moon. He made us dream again.

That is the story of America and Ireland. That’s the tale of our brawn and our blood, side by side, in making and remaking a nation, pulling it westward, pulling it skyward, moving it forward again and again and again. And that is our task again today.

I think we all realize that both of our nations have faced great trials in recent years, including recessions so severe that many of our people are still trying to fight their way out. And naturally our concern turns to our families, our friends and our neighbors. And some in this enormous audience are thinking about their own prospects and their own futures. Those of us who are parents wonder what it will mean for our children and young people like so many who are here today. Will you see the same progress we’ve seen since we were your age? Will you inherit futures as big and as bright as the ones that we inherited? Will your dreams remain alive in our time?

This nation has faced those questions before: When your land couldn’t feed those who tilled it; when the boats leaving these shores held some of your brightest minds; when brother fought against brother. Yours is a history frequently marked by the greatest of trials and the deepest of sorrow. But yours is also a history of proud and defiant endurance. Of a nation that kept alive the flame of knowledge in dark ages; that overcame occupation and outlived fallow fields; that triumphed over its Troubles –- of a resilient people who beat all the odds.

And, Ireland, as trying as these times are, I know our future is still as big and as bright as our children expect it to be. I know that because I know it is precisely in times like these –- in times of great challenge, in times of great change -– when we remember who we truly are. We’re people, the Irish and Americans, who never stop imagining a brighter future, even in bitter times. We’re people who make that future happen through hard work, and through sacrifice, through investing in those things that matter most, like family and community.

We remember, in the words made famous by one of your greatest poets that “in dreams begins responsibility.”

This is a nation that met that responsibility by choosing, like your ancestors did, to keep alight the flame of knowledge and invest in a world-class education for your young people. And today, Ireland’s youth, and those who’ve come back to build a new Ireland, are now among the best-educated, most entrepreneurial in the world. And I see those young people here today. And I know that Ireland will succeed.

This is a nation that met its responsibilities by choosing to apply the lessons of your own past to assume a heavier burden of responsibility on the world stage. And today, a people who once knew the pain of an empty stomach now feed those who hunger abroad. Ireland is working hand in hand with the United States to make sure that hungry mouths are fed around the world -- because we remember those times. We know what crippling poverty can be like, and we want to make sure we’re helping others.

You’re a people who modernized and can now stand up for those who can’t yet stand up for themselves. And this is a nation that met its responsibilities -– and inspired the entire world -– by choosing to see past the scars of violence and mistrust to forge a lasting peace on this island.

When President Clinton said on this very spot 15 years ago, waging peace is risky, I think those who were involved understood the risks they were taking. But you, the Irish people, persevered. And you cast your votes and you made your voices heard for that peace. And you responded heroically when it was challenged. And you did it because, as President McAleese has written, “For all the apparent intractability of our problems, the irrepressible human impulse to love kept nagging and nudging us towards reconciliation.”

Whenever peace is challenged, you will have to sustain that irrepressible impulse. And America will stand by you -- always. America will stand by you always in your pursuit of peace.

And, Ireland, you need to understand that you’ve already so surpassed the world’s highest hopes that what was notable about the Northern Ireland elections two weeks ago was that they came and went without much attention. It’s not because the world has forgotten. It’s because this once unlikely dream has become that most extraordinary thing of things: It has become real. A dream has turned to reality because of the work of this nation.

In dreams begin responsibility. And embracing that responsibility, working toward it, overcoming the cynics and the naysayers and those who say “you can’t” -- that’s what makes dreams real. That’s what Falmouth Kearney did when he got on that boat, and that’s what so many generations of Irish men and women have done here in this spectacular country. That is something we can point to and show our children, Irish and American alike. That is something we can teach them as they grow up together in a new century, side by side, as it has been since our beginnings.

This little country, that inspires the biggest things -- your best days are still ahead. Our greatest triumphs -- in America and Ireland alike -- are still to come. And, Ireland, if anyone ever says otherwise, if anybody ever tells you that your problems are too big, or your challenges are too great, that we can’t do something, that we shouldn’t even try -- think about all that we’ve done together. Remember that whatever hardships the winter may bring, springtime is always just around the corner. And if they keep on arguing with you, just respond with a simple creed: Is féidir linn. Yes, we can. Yes, we can. Is féidir linn.

For all you’ve contributed to the character of the United States of America and the spirit of the world, thank you. And may God bless the eternal friendship between our two great nations.

Thank you very much, everybody. Thank you, Dublin. Thank you, Ireland.

President Obama is Now Addressing Dublin Crowd

2011-05-23T09:37:00.001-07:00

Check out the live feed from Dublin for President Barack Obama's Speech at College Green on RTE.ie, happening on Monday, May 23, 2011 at 12:50 (EST).

Remarks of President Obama and Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny in Dublin, May 23

2011-05-23T08:02:00.000-07:00

Remarks at the Farmleigh House, Dublin Ireland, on Monday, May 23, 2011:

PRIME MINISTER KENNY: If everybody can hear. Obviously this is the first occasion in world history I think there is two bilaterals with an American President in the space of 67 minutes. But I want to welcome President Obama and the First Lady Michelle to Dublin on their way through to a state visit in England and further activities.

I can say that the Irish people have been waiting for this visit. Their excitement is palpable. And I trust that the President and his wife and party will enjoy their visit to Moneygall, home of his triple-great grandfather, Falmouth Kearney, when he goes down there today.

I’d like to say on this occasion here we’ve discussed a range of issues. I've explained to the President the seriousness of which Ireland and its new government -- thereby myself and the presence here of the Oireachtas -- are dealing with the issues that affect our country -- the banks and the economic situation and our seriousness of intent in dealing with our budget deficit; also in conjunction with the conditions of the IMF bailout, dealing with the situation there. And we expressed appreciation for the general support of America in that regard.

We discuss the question of the Northern Ireland Assembly, the new assembly, our relationship with that assembly in relation to the British government. We discussed the implications and the consequences of the Queen’s visit here, following on the President’s invitation, and the enormous impact that that made, together with the visit of the British Prime Minister during the course of that state visit.

We discussed the question of the President’s speech on immigration, which he made in El Paso, and the fact that the administration is continuing to work on that.

We discussed the relationship between Ireland and the States, the continuing importance of that, and I reiterated the no-change policy in respect of the use of Shannon in respect of American aircraft serving the U.N. resolutions passing through.

And we discussed a range of other issues relative to the country here and the fact that courage is necessary for leaders who take risks in the interests of solving the problems of their people and their countries.

I reiterated our appreciation and heartfelt thanks to the American President for his visit here. And like all politicians, we have some unfinished business, and that is that the next time he comes back he’s going to bring his golf clubs. (Laughter.)

Thank you.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Thank you so much.

Well, first of all, let me just say how extraordinarily grateful I am to the Taoiseach, to the President of Ireland, for their extraordinary hospitality to myself and Michelle. It is heartwarming to be here -- and people even arranged for the sun to come out shortly after I arrived.

The friendship and the bond between the United States and Ireland could not be stronger. Obviously it is not just a matter of strategic interest, it’s not just a matter of foreign policy; for the United States, Ireland carries a blood link with us. And for the millions of Irish Americans, this continues to symbolize the homeland and the extraordinary traditions of an extraordinary people.

The Taoiseach and I have already had occasion to meet in Washington. It’s wonderful to be able to discuss with him again some of the important issues that he is working on. We’re glad to see that progress is being made in stabilizing the economic situation here. I know it’s a hard road, but it’s one that the Irish people are more than up to the task in achieving.

What I emphasized is that we want to continue to strengthen the bonds of trade and commerce between our two countries, and that we are rooting for Ireland’s success and we’ll do everything that we can to be helpful on the path to recovery.

We also wanted to express our extraordinary appreciation to Ireland for all the work that it does internationally. I mentioned that Ireland punches above its weight. It’s a small country, but the work it does on a range of issues -- in peacekeeping to the trainers in Afghanistan, to this work we’re doing together on food security, to its strong voice on human rights -- all that makes an enormous difference around the world. And the extraordinary relationship that we have with Ireland is also reflected in the work that it does in the EU, and so we’re grateful for that.

Finally I wanted to just express to the Irish people -- and I’ll have occasion to make some lengthier remarks later -- how inspired we have been by the progress that's been made in Northern Ireland, because it speaks to the possibilities of peace and people in longstanding struggles being able to re-imagine their relationships. To see Her Majesty the Queen of the England come here, and to see the mutual warmth and healing that I think took place as a consequence of that visit, to know that the former Taoiseach Fitzgerald was able to witness the Queen coming here, that sends a signal not just in England, not just here in Ireland, but around the world. It sends what Bobby Kennedy once called “a ripple of hope,” that may manifest itself in a whole range of ways.

And so, to all those who have been working tirelessly to bring about peace in Northern Ireland, to those who’ve been willing to take those risks, we are grateful to them. To your administration, which I know is carrying on that legacy and continues to invest in it, we appreciate it.

We are proud of the part that America played in helping to get both sides to talk and to provide a space for that conversation to take place, and we want you to know that we will continue to be there as that moves forward. And we’re confident that it, in fact, will.

So I am extraordinarily grateful to be here. To the Irish people, thank you for the wonderful welcome you’re providing my wife and myself.

PRIME MINISTER KENNY: Professor Padriac Whyt in Trinity College -- he’s a professor of children’s literature -- broached me some time ago -- in 1922, Padriac Colum was commissioned by the Hawaiian legislature to track down myths and legends of Hawaii and write them as children’s stories. He produced three volumes of children’s stories, which I presented -- and I had the honor of a first addition -- not to the President, not to the First Lady, but to his children, Malia and Sasha -- stories of their daddy’s birthplace. And I hope they enjoyed it.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well, this is an extraordinary gift, and it just confirms that if you need somebody to do some good writing, you hire an Irishman. (Laughter.)

END
12:00 P.M. IST

RTE has live coverage of President Obama Arriving in Moneygall, Ireland

2011-05-23T06:57:00.000-07:00

Dublin Airport, 9:29 a.m.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama are arriving in Moneygall, County Offaly, this afternoon to visit the ancestral home of the president's maternal family.

You can view the visit live at RTE.ie.

Later this afternoon, the President and First Lady return to Dublin for an outdoor concert on College Green, featuring Imelda May, Sharon Shannon and other musicians.

For more details, visit the United States Embassy in Dublin for follow on Tweeter Obama_IrishUSA.

Video of President Obama in Ireland, Monday, May 23

2011-05-23T04:18:00.000-07:00

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama arrived this morning at Dublin Airport in Ireland, aboard Air Force One at 9:29 a.m. European time.

They were greeted by US Ambassador to Ireland Dan Rooney and his wife Patricia, along with Ireland's Minister of Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore, T.D.

The Irish Times newspaper has a live blog of President Obama's Ireland visit.

For ongoing details, visit the US Embassy in Ireland.

Irish Echo Interview with Bill Daley, White House Official, on Obama Visit to Ireland

2011-05-21T09:53:00.000-07:00

The Irish Echo Newspaper in New York City published an exclusive interview with White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley, who talked about President Barack Obama's upcoming visit to Ireland on Monday, May 23, 2011.

In the interview, conducted by reporter Susan Falvella Garraty, Daley is quoted as saying that "the heritage passed through (Obama's) grandfather is something he’s curious about."

Daley also indicated that President Obama will discuss policy issues with Ireland's government officials, such as immigration visas for the Irish, or the nation's low corporate tax.

The Echo quotes Daley as saying:

"Obviously the global economic crisis for the past two and half three years will be talked about and the difficulties in Ireland, what steps the Irish government have taken and what steps we have taken to come out of our crisis, but I think it’s going to be a very loose, comfortable conversation around the economic issues.”

Daley himself accompanied President Bill Clinton to Northern Ireland in 1995, and said:

“I am really looking forward to the response by the people of Ireland to our president. My parents would very proud to think that this president went back to Ireland and that I was working for him.”

For information on Irish-Americans for Obama/Biden, follow Obama_IrishUSA on tweeter.

For ongoing details on President Obama's Ireland trip, visit the US Embassy in Dublin site.

Dublin Holds Outdoor Concert for Barack and Michelle Obama at College Green on Monday, May 23

2011-05-21T07:21:00.000-07:00

The US Embassy in Dublin has announced that President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama are taking part in a public event at College Green in Dublin on Monday, May 23, 2011.

President Obama will address the audience after an afternoon and evening of musical entertainment featuring Dublin rockabilly star Imelda May, traditional accordionist Sharon Shannon and others. Irish actor Gabriel Byrne is also attending.

Earlier that day, President and First Lady Obama are visiting Moneygall, County Offaly, home of the president's Irish ancestors who left there in 1850.

For more about President Obama's connections to the Irish-American community, visit IrishAmericansforObamaBiden.

Irish-American Leaders Briefed by White House Officials on President's Trip to Ireland

2011-05-20T14:48:00.000-07:00

Irish American leaders from around the country were briefed via teleconference by White House officials in preparation for President Obama's trip to Ireland on Monday, May 23, 2001.

The briefing took place on Wednesday, May 18 and was conducted by Denis McDonough, Deputy National Security Advisor to the President, who said the Ireland leg of the trip would celebrate the relationship between the United States and Ireland.

McDonough outlined the itinerary of the trip, including President Obama's meetings with Ireland's President Mary McAleese and Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny, as well as a visit to Moneygall, County Offaly, the ancestral home of the president's maternal side of the family and other public occasions.

The trip, which includes Ireland as well as England, France and Poland, would serve as a chance for the President to highlight America's national heritage, while underscoring the diversity of the Unites States as a fundamental tenet of its strength, McDonough said.

The teleconference was organized by Kyle Lierman, Ethnic Outreach Liaison at the White House Office of Public Engagement.

For ongoing updates on President Obama's trip to Ireland, visit the web site of the US Embassy in Ireland and the White House Briefing Room.

White House Officials Give Press Briefing on President Obama's Trip to Europe, starting in Ireland

2011-05-20T12:24:00.000-07:00

Senior White House officials held a press conference call today to discuss President Barack Obama's upcoming visit to Europe the week of May 23, 2011.

You can read the full transcript of the Press Conference here.

Here are excerpts on the Ireland portion of the trip:

Ben Rhodes, White House Official:

Our first stop on the trip is Ireland, and one of the people who has heritage in Ireland in the United States is, of course, the President. We arrive in Dublin on Monday morning, and the first event will be a meeting between the President and the First Lady, with President McAleese and her husband as well, an important opportunity to discuss both bilateral issues with President McAleese and also to honor her extraordinary legacy of serving the people of Ireland and advancing peace in Northern Ireland as well.

After that, the President will meet with the Taoiseach -- again, this will be with the First Lady -- to discuss a range of bilateral issues. Then the President will travel to Moneygall, Ireland, which is the town in Ireland from which the President’s ancestors came. So this is a homecoming of sorts for President Obama. He’s very excited to see this small town in Ireland from which he has roots, and we’re very much looking forward to seeing some of the people of Moneygall and making a stop there.

After that, he’ll return to Dublin, where he’ll be able to deliver remarks at a public event about the ties between the United States and Ireland.

We spend the night in Dublin that night, and the next day, Tuesday, the 24th, travel to London.

Question: Good morning. My question is about Ireland. Does the President -- does he still have -- you said he has family there? Is he going to meet cousins or family?

Ben Rhodes: The President, researching his background, was able to trace his mother’s side of the family back to Ireland, and specifically to Moneygall. I believe that it is -- we could confirm this -- but I believe it’s a great-great-grandfather -- three greats.

So he has roots in Ireland and in Moneygall. Moneygall is a town of under 300 people in Ireland. It’s -- I’ve seen reports about the bloodlines that extend across the town and people who may be related to the President. So it’s certainly quite likely that in a town of that size that is so deeply rooted in that part of Ireland that there are people who share those ties. I couldn’t say with certainty who -- the nature of those relations, but we certainly expect it to be a robust topic of discussion with the residents of Moneygall when the President is able to stop by and pay a visit.

Question: Can you say a little bit more about the Dublin public speech? Is that going to be sort of more -- maybe more personal, or is it very Irish -- Irish-centric?

Ben Rhodes: The Dublin remarks I think will be very Irish-focused. And I think it’s a chance to talk about the relationship between our two countries. It’s also a chance to talk about the enormous affinity, frankly, that the American people have for Ireland that’s rooted in part in the huge population of Irish-Americans here. And it’s a chance for the President to really celebrate the ties between our countries and the kind of unique feelings that the American people have for Ireland, and hopefully that the Irish people have had with the United States for many years.

George Mitchell Praised by President Obama and Hillary Clinton

2011-05-18T10:29:00.001-07:00

George Mitchell, who resigned this week as US Envoy to the Middle East, was praised for his service to the United States.

President Barack Obama said in a statement,

"Over the past two and a half years, George Mitchell has worked as a tireless advocate for peace as the U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East. His deep commitment to resolving conflict and advancing democracy has contributed immeasurably to the goal of two states living side by side in peace and security.

"George told me when he took this job that he would put in a couple of years, and I’m so glad he did. He is – by any measure – one of the finest public servants that our nation has ever had. Even though he already had an extraordinary legacy – serving the people of Maine, leading the Senate, and bringing peace to Northern Ireland – he took on the toughest job imaginable and worked grueling hours to advance the interests of the United States and the cause of peace."

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said,

"It has been an honor to work alongside Senator Mitchell over the past two years. He represents the best traditions of American diplomacy. Throughout George’s distinguished career he has taken on the hardest challenges with determination, talent and old fashioned Maine common sense. From the Senate to Northern Ireland to the State Department, his work has brought peace and increasing prosperity to millions of people around the world and made our own country stronger and more secure. "

Mitchell was the US Envoy to Northern Ireland during the Clinton Administration and helped broker the Irish Peace Agreement in 1998.

He was named to the Advisory Council on Irish Issues that Barack Obama put together in September 2008 when he was running for president.

The US-Ireland Alliance established the George J. Mitchell Scholarship in his honor to strengthen ties between future American leaders and Ireland.

President Obama Visiting Boston on Wednesday, May 18

2011-05-16T13:06:00.000-07:00

President Barack Obama is coming to Boston on Wednesday, May 18, 2011 to kick off his Obama Victory Fund campaign for 2012

The President is appearing at the Cyclorama, Boston Center for the Arts, at 539 Tremont Street in Boston's South End, at 3:00 p.m.

For more details, visit Obama for America website.

For President Obama's statements on Irish issues, visit IrishAmericansforObamaBiden.

President Barack Obama's Trip to Ireland

2011-05-16T05:42:00.000-07:00

President Barack Obama is visiting Ireland for the first time and is scheduled to arrive in Dublin on Monday, May 23, 2011. He'll spend most of the day in Dublin but will also take a helicopter to Moneygall, County Offaly, to visit his ancestral home, according to the US Department of State.

When he announced the trip on March 17, 2011 at the White House, President Obama said,

"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. "

Although President Obama is only about 3.1 % Irish, people in Ireland have continuously called for the president to visit Ireland since he first became president.

For ongoing details on President Obama's trip to Ireland, visit the US Embassy in Ireland site.

For more about President Obama's connections to the Irish-American community, visit IrishAmericansforObamaBiden.

President Barack Obama Calls for Immigration Reform in El Paso, Texas: Video

2011-05-14T16:28:00.001-07:00

US Ambassador to Ireland Dan Rooney's Statement on Death of Bin Laden

2011-05-04T08:03:00.000-07:00

In reaction to the death of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, U.S. Ambassador Daniel M. Rooney said in a statement:

“I am proud and grateful for the President and all the men and women of intelligence and military communities for their constant demonstration of courage and bravery. Their actions this weekend have made the world a safer and more just place to live for all humanity.”

Provided by US Embassy in Dublin, Ireland.

President Obama on the Death of Bin Laden, May 1, 2011

2011-05-02T05:38:00.000-07:00

President Barack Obama's remarks on the death of Osama Bin Laden on May 1, 2011:

President Obama's Press Conference on His Birth Certificate, April 27, 2011

2011-04-27T06:59:00.001-07:00

President Barack Obama gives a statement on the matter of his long-birth certificate today at the White House Briefing Room.

President Obama Releases his Long-Form Birth Certificate

2011-04-27T06:34:00.001-07:00

President Barack Obama today is releasing his long-form birth certificate to the American public today as a way of putting to rest false rumors and innuendos perpetrated by his political opponents.

You can view the birth certificate yourself by clicking here.

Read the White House statement by White House Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer.

President Barack Obama Launches His Re-election Campaign Today

2011-04-04T12:52:00.000-07:00

(April 4, 2011) President Barack Obama launched his 2012 re-election campaign today with an email announcement to his followers and the release of a video from his supporters across the country.

For more information about the campaign, visit barackobama.com

President Obama Addresses Guests at St. Patrick's Day Gathering at the White House on March 17, 2011

2011-03-19T03:44:00.001-07:00

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 want to start by welcoming Taoiseach Kenny and his lovely wife, Fionnuala. Please give them a big round of applause. (Applause.) Now, poor Taoiseach, he’s only been in office for a little over a week. (Laughter.) He’s already jetlagged. (Laughter.) But I’m honored that he agreed to leave the unpacking for another day and fly across the ocean to be with us here tonight.

We also have more than a few Irish and Irish American friends in the house tonight. I want to thank our very talented performers, as well as the members of my administration and the members of Congress who are here. (Applause.) We are joined by three very Irish governors -- Martin O’Malley, Dan Malloy, and Pat Quinn. Thank you for coming. (Applause.)

Every year at this time, we’re reminded of just how many strands of green are woven into our American story. And even though St. Patrick’s Day has perhaps been better known for revelry than reflection, it’s also a chance for us to remember how the journey to America began for so many of our ancestors -- including, as I discovered as I was running for office, one of mine -- how millions of Irish boarded dank and crowded ships with a promise to send for their families later, often with no friends, no money, and nothing but hope waiting for them on the other side.

Like so many immigrants who came to call this country home, these men and women were guided by a deep faith and an unwavering belief that here in America a better life is available for anybody who’s willing to try. And even though they weren’t always welcomed in their new land, they persevered. They built and led and defended our country while still holding fast to their heritage. And in many ways, what it means to be Irish helped to define to what it means to be American.

That’s why today when we think about a Tip O’Neill -- whose daughter, by the way, is here tonight and his granddaughter, and it was wonderful to meet them -- (applause) -- or a Ronald Reagan, we see an example of how it’s possible to argue over policy without sacrificing friendship; how it’s easy to disagree without being disagreeable, if you make the effort.

When we think about a Henry Ford or a Cyrus McCormick, we see the ingenuity that has driven generations of Americans to build the businesses and create the inventions that have helped makes a nation an engine of prosperity.

When we think about an Audie Murphy or a John King, two of the hundreds of Irish Americans who have won the Medal of Honor, we see the heroism and bravery that comes with risking your own life for your country.

When we think about a family like the Kennedys, we see a steadfast belief in the importance of service and the duty each of us has to stand up for those who can’t stand up for themselves. (Applause.)

In so many ways, the Irish and their descendants have set an example for us as a people. But they’ve also set an example for us as a nation struggling to be more just and more free. In 1845, Frederick Douglass, the great fighter for freedom here in this country, had just published his Narrative of a Life of an American Slave. And even as the book was a bestseller, Douglass began receiving steady streams of threats to his life.

So he decided to embark on a two-year lecture tour of the British Isles until things cooled down. He began by spending four months in Ireland, far from the threat of slave catchers, where he quickly found common ground with the people locked in their struggle against oppression.

As Douglass wrote, “I have spent some of the happiest moments of my life since landing in this country. I seem to have undergone a transformation. I live a new life.” It was at a Dublin rally that Douglass met the Irish nationalist Daniel O’Connell. And soon, the two struck up an unlikely friendship. O’Connell was a fierce opponent of slavery, and he began calling Douglass “the black O’Connell of the United States.” (Laughter.)

For his part, Douglass drew inspiration from the Irishman’s courage and intelligence, ultimately modeling his own struggle for justice on O’Connell’s belief that change could be achieved peacefully through rule of law. Daniel O’Connell never lived to see another great emancipator named Abraham Lincoln put pen to paper and bring slavery to an end. But the two men shared a universal desire for freedom -- one that cannot be contained by language or culture or even the span of an ocean.

And stories like this remind us just how deeply intertwined our two nations are. Nights like this remind us how much we share. And so as we celebrate together, let us take a moment to appreciate all that Ireland has given to America -- the faith we keep, the family we hold close, the laughter and song and warmth we feel when surrounded by the ones we love.

On behalf of the American people I want to thank the people of Ireland. In the years ahead, may our sons and daughters only grow closer. And now, I would like to present to you the Taoiseach of Ireland. Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all of you. Taoiseach. (Applause.)

Video: President Obama's Press Conference on St. Patrick's Day

2011-03-19T03:32:00.001-07:00

President Obama Announces His Trip to Ireland in May

2011-03-17T13:42:00.000-07:00

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."

Remarks by President Obama at Friends of Ireland Luncheon

2011-03-17T13:22:00.000-07:00

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 about my origins. So today I want to put all those rumors to rest. It is true my great-great-great-grandfather really was from Ireland. (Applause.) It’s true. Moneygall, to be precise. I can’t believe I have to keep pointing this out. (Laughter.)

As John mentioned, this tradition began with Tip O’Neill and President Reagan -– two men of Irish stock, quick wit, and no small amount of fighting spirit. Tip’s and Gip’s differences were real; their beliefs and their battles were sincere. But so, too, were the bonds of affection and respect for one another. In fact, on the Speaker’s 70th birthday, President Reagan threw him a small party at the White House, where he offered up a toast. “Tip,” he said, “If I had a ticket to heaven and you didn’t have one, I would give mine away and go to hell with you.” (Laughter.) The two later left the room arm in arm.

Before six o’clock, it was politics. After six o’clock, they could be friends. They extended that safe zone to St. Patrick’s Day, setting aside this lunch each year so that folks in both parties could enjoy the good cheer and the good company. Our dear friend, Ted Kennedy, and others persuaded Taoiseach to join them. And the only hint of fighting in the air was the contest to out-do one another’s stories.

President Reagan insisted that this lunch not be a place for policy battles –- but rather for good cheer and fellowship that so often is missing in Washington. “Our friendship,” President Reagan said of Tip O’Neill, “is testimony to the political system that we’re part of and the country that we live in -– a country which permits two not-so-shy and not-so-retiring Irishmen to have it out on the issues, rather than on each other or their countrymen.” I think that’s a sentiment that we should all strive to keep in mind -– whether Irish or not.

Over the past week we’ve witnessed one of our finest allies, Japan, endure a terrible tragedy. As Americans, our first instinct naturally has been to help in any way that we can. And we will help the Japanese people as they recover and rebuild. But what these events should also remind us is that, in the scheme of things, our differences are small. In the face of all that we have in common, our differences are insignificant. None of us are alone in this world. We need one another -- especially in times of turmoil and trial.

And as servants of the people who sent us here, we can all do better to live up to the example that Tip O’Neill and Ronald Reagan and others often set -– to put the differences of the day aside; to seek common ground; to forge progress for the sake of this country that we love. Even before six o’clock.

So, in the months and years ahead, I hope we can summon some of the spirit of this day and work together with renewed commitment to bring about better days for all of our people. But today is a day for tens of millions of Americans of Irish descent to celebrate the tremendous influence that one small island with a big-hearted people has had on our country.

Prime Minister Kenny, I thank you and your lovely wife for coming today. We are proud to call Ireland a friend on this St. Patrick’s Day, and on all the days of the calendar -– and we thank the Irish people for all that they’ve done to enrich the United States of America.

So let me grab a glass. To our guest, the Taoiseach of Ireland. Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all of you. And may the friendship between our two countries grow ever greener. Cheers. (Applause.)

END

President Obama's Remarks on St. Patrick's Day at the White House, March 17, 2011

2011-03-17T12:59:00.000-07:00

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. And he exudes great confidence, and I’m sure that we will be cooperating very closely with him and providing any assistance that we can on the economic front.

In addition, Ireland obviously plays an important role in the world. We want to thank him for the operations at Shannon that are so vital for us moving our troops into Afghanistan. It is a testimony to Ireland’s friendship to us. In addition, Ireland actually has trainers in Afghanistan that have provided us great assistance. And I expressed my appreciation for those sacrifices. We’ve worked together on issues like international food security, and we will continue to work on those issues as well.

We remarked on the fact that the situation in Northern Ireland has proven to be stable, and we are going to continue to pursue all the progress that’s been made there.

So, overall, the state of the relationship between our two countries is extraordinarily strong. This is a wonderful tradition each St. Patrick’s Day for me to be able to once again reaffirm the great warmth and affection that we have towards the people of Ireland.

And finally, 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. And thank you so much for being here today. Thank

The White House has a full Irish Agenda on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 2011

2011-03-17T10:07:00.000-07:00

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

President Barack Obama Congratulates Ireland's New Prime Minister Enda Kenny

2011-03-11T18:55:00.000-08:00

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 events in Libya and other international and domestic issues during an Oval Office meeting planned for that day.

President Barack Obama Proclaims March as Irish American Heritage Month, 2011

2011-03-01T10:42:00.000-08:00

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 story. Through hard work, perseverance, and patriotism, women and men of Irish descent have given their brawn, brains, and blood to make and remake this Nation -- pulling it westward, pushing it skyward, and moving it forward. Half a century ago, John F. Kennedy became our first Irish-American Catholic President and summoned an expectant citizenry to greatness. This year, as we commemorate the 50th anniversary of President Kennedy's inauguration, we recognize our 35th President and the countless other Irish Americans whose leadership and service have steered the course of our Nation.

Seldom in this world has a country so small had so large an impact on another. Today, the rich culture of Ireland touches all aspects of American society, and the friendship that binds Ireland and the United States is marked by a shared past and a common future. As communities across our country celebrate Irish-American Heritage Month and St. Patrick's Day, our Nation pays tribute to the proud lineage passed down to so many Americans from the Emerald Isle.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 2011 as Irish-American Heritage Month. I call upon all Americans to observe this month by celebrating the contributions of Irish Americans to our Nation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-eighth day of February, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.

BARACK OBAMA

President Barack Obama Presents Medal of Freedom to Jean Kennedy Smith and John J. Sweeney

2011-02-16T05:42:00.000-08:00

(February 15, 2011) President Barack Obama awarded the prestigious Medal of Freedom to fifteen people in a ceremony at the White House. Topping the list was former US President George H.W. Bush.

Two prominent leaders in the Irish-American community were also recipients: Jean Kennedy Smith, former US Ambassador to Ireland and founder of Very Special Arts, and John J. Sweeney, President of the AFL-CIO from 1995 to 2009.

The Medal of Freedom is the nation's highest civilian honor, and is presented to individuals who have made meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.

For a full list of the Medal of Freedom winners, click here.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Addresses US - Northern Ireland Economic Conference in Washington

2010-10-19T13:00:00.000-07:00

US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton addressed the US - Northern Ireland Economic Conference today at the State Department in Washington, D.C.

For a written transcript of Secretary Clinton's remarks, click here.

Posted by Irish Americans for Obama/Biden

US State Department Accepting Diversity Visa Applications through November 3, 2010

2010-10-07T06:03:00.000-07:00

An immigrant visa program offered by the U.S. State Department called the Diversity Visa Lottery Program is currently accepting applications for entry to the United States in 2012.

The period of application is October 5 through November 3, 2010.

Mandated by the U.S. Congress, the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program makes available 50,000 diversity visas annually, drawn from random selection among applicants from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. Citizens from Ireland and Northern Ireland are eligible to participate in the lottery.

For more details on Irish applications, visit the website of the Embassy of the United States in Dublin. There is no application fee and the application must be made electronically.

For ongoing details on efforts by President Barack Obama to create comprehensive immigration reform in the United States, visit WhiteHouse.gov.

Former President Bill Clinton Returns to Northern Ireland to Discuss Economic Strategies and Peace

2010-09-29T18:08:00.000-07:00

(September 29, 2010) -- Today former U.S. President Bill Clinton delivered a speech at the University of Ulster’s Magee Campus in Derry, discussing economic strategies for Northern Ireland while promoting US investment there.

Accompanied by US Envoy to Northern Ireland Declan Kelley, Clinton met with Northern Ireland leaders First Minister Peter Robinson and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, as well as former SDLP leader John Hume.

Addressing several hundred political leaders, business leaders and students at the University’s Great Hall, President Clinton encouraged the people of Northern Ireland to weather the economic difficulties of the time while remaining appreciative of the peace that has come to Northern Ireland.

"It was a really nice ride for a long time then, just like everybody's life, there are bumps in the road. This is also part of living a peaceful life, facing the tough times, facing the crisis and facing it together, " President Clinton said. "This is what the peace is about - about giving the people the chance to live responsible normal lives."

Mr. Clinton’s visit comes in advance of a US - Northern Ireland economic conference in Washington DC on October 19 that will be hosted by President Clinton’s wife, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

The economic summit, which takes place at the State Department, is part of a set of commitments made by President Barack Obama about Northern Ireland when he was campaigning for the president's office in 2008.

President Obama speaks about Dan Rooney, US Ambassador to Ireland

2010-09-20T09:56:00.000-07:00

President Obama on ESPN Speaking about Dan Rooney, US Ambassador to Ireland and owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

United States - Northern Ireland Economic Conference Set for October 19 in Washington D.C.

2010-09-17T09:19:00.000-07:00

The U.S. State Department is hosting a one-day economic conference to showcase American investment opportunities in Northern Ireland on Tuesday, October 19, 2010, at the U.S. State Department.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will preside over the conference of 70-80 participants.

The conference was announced on March 17, 2010 following a meeting with President Barack Obama, Secretary Clinton and leaders from Northern Ireland, according to Declan Kelly, US Envoy to Northern Ireland.

First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness are expected to represent Northern Ireland at the conference. Executives from American corporations already doing business in Northern Ireland will share their experiences with corporate executives who are considering investment there.

Key partners involved in the conference include Tourism Ireland, the U.S. Consulate in Belfast and the Ireland Funds. For a full list of partners, click here.

The conference is part of an ongoing commitment made by President Obama and his Administration to support a lasting peace in Northern Ireland.

President Obama's Speech on Immigration Reform, June 30, 2010

2010-07-03T05:04:00.000-07:00

Remarks by the President on Comprehensive Immigration Reform

American University School of International Service

Washington, D.C.

Statement by the President on Senate Proposal Outlined to Fix Our Nation’s Broken Immigration System

2010-04-30T10:44:00.000-07:00

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

(Issued on April 29, 2010)

“It is the federal government's responsibility to enforce the law and secure our borders, as well as to set clear rules and priorities for future immigration. The continued failure of the federal government to fix the broken immigration system will leave the door open to a patchwork of actions at the state and local level that are inconsistent and as we have seen recently, often misguided.

The proposal outlined today in the Senate is a very important step in the process of fixing our nation’s broken immigration system. I am especially pleased to see that this detailed outline is consistent with the bipartisan framework presented by Senators Chuck Schumer and Lindsey Graham last month, and is grounded in the principles of responsibility and accountability.

What has become increasingly clear is that we can no longer wait to fix our broken immigration system, which Democrats and Republicans alike agree doesn’t work. It’s unacceptable to have 11 million people in the United States who are living here illegally and outside of the system. I have repeatedly said that there are some essential components that must be in immigration legislation. It must call for stronger border security measures, tougher penalties for employers who hire illegal immigrants and clearer rules for controlling future immigration. And it must require those who are here illegally to get right with the law, pay penalties and taxes, learn English, pass criminal background checks and admit responsibility before they are allowed to get in line and eventually earn citizenship. The outline presented today includes many of these elements. The next critical step is to iron out the details of a bill. We welcome that discussion, and my Administration will play an active role in engaging partners on both sides of the aisle to work toward a bipartisan solution that is based on the fundamental concept of accountability that the American people expect and deserve.”

###

US Ambassador Dan Rooney to Discuss Ireland's Cultural Heritage on May 6

2010-04-28T10:35:00.001-07:00

Daniel M. Rooney, U.S. Ambassador to Ireland, is hosting a community forum to discuss how Ireland's cultural heritage can help the economy.

The forum takes place on Thursday, May 6, 2010, froom Noon to 1:00 p.m. at the Hynes Theatre, Wexford Opera House, in County Wexford. The event is free and open to the public.

Ambassador Rooney, a native of Pittsburgh, PA, was named as US Ambassador to Ireland by President Barack Obama on March 17, 2009. He was sworn into office by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, on July 1, 2009.

IrishAmericansforObamaBiden

Remarks by President Barack Obama at St. Patrick's Day Reception on March 17, 2010

2010-03-19T10:09:00.000-07:00

East Wing, White House

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Welcome to St. Patrick’s Day at the White House, on a day when springtime is in the air –- and this is -- even though the Taoiseach hasn’t even shared his shamrocks yet, but we can feel spring coming.

Before I say anything else let me just say that I could not have a better partner in a difficult job than the Vice President of the United States, Joe Biden; he does a great job each and every day. (Applause.) And I couldn't have a better partner in life than the First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama. (Applause.)

Welcome back, Mr. Prime Minister, First Lady. We are thrilled to have you.

The Irish and Irish-Americans are out in force tonight. I believe, if I'm not mistaken that Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy is here. (Applause.) A couple of my Cabinet Secretaries are here, as well –- Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, and Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano. (Applause.) I would love to acknowledge all the members of Congress who are here tonight, but there are a few dozen of you, including three or four Murphys. (Laughter.) There’s one right there. (Laughter.) You're everywhere.

Governor Martin O’Malley -- (applause) -- who’s been known to be the lead in an Irish rock band. Governor Bob McDonnell is here, of the great Commonwealth of Virginia. And Mayor Tom Menino shipped down from Boston. (Applause.) My dear friend, the United States Ambassador to Ireland and the person who is singly responsible for converting the entire country to become Steelers’ fans, Dan Rooney. (Applause.) And his counterpart, the Irish Ambassador to the United States, Michael Collins. (Applause.)

So welcome, everybody. This has been a wonderful day filled with good reminders of just how deeply woven the ties between our two countries are. We welcomed back a friend, the Taoiseach. He and I remarked once again of our shared ties to County Offaly. (Applause.) He was born there, and when I was running for President, it was brought to my attention that -- I want to make sure I get this straight -- it was my great-great-great-great grandfather on my mother’s side who hailed from Moneygall. I wish I knew about this when I was running in Chicago. (Laughter.)

I also had the pleasure of welcoming back First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness of Northern Ireland -- (applause) -- two men who have stood together with conviction to chart a historic path towards peace. They are here tonight. We were thinking about sending them up to Congress tomorrow -- (laughter) -- to see if they can share some of their secrets. (Laughter.)

I also just met with Andrew Sens and Brigadier General -- I want to make sure I get this right -- Tauno Niemenen, who, because of their successful leadership, are winding down the work of the Independent Commission on Decommissioning after 12 years. (Applause.) And Matt Baggott, the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, whose fairness and impartiality is keeping the peace across all of Northern Ireland’s communities. So thank you. (Applause.)

Twelve years ago, America was inspired by the brave men and women who found the courage to see past the scars of a troubled past so that their children would know a better future. And we are watching you and continue to be inspired by your extraordinary work.

It’s wonderful to have everybody here at the White House here tonight. During his last visit, the Taoiseach mentioned that the Irish Diaspora is some 70 million strong -- which is obviously impressive for a small island. And it’s even more impressive that they all find their way to America for St. Patrick’s Day. (Laughter.) I can make that joke as somebody of Irish heritage. (Laughter.)

I should mention by the way that -- we were discussing this with my mayor from Chicago, Mayor Daley, and I told him that I had this Irish heritage. And he said that he had actually Kenyan blood in him also. (Laughter.)

It just goes to show that in recent decades it has become cool to be Irish. (Laughter.) It’s the phenomenon the Irish poet, and Joe Biden’s favorite poet, Seamus Heaney, once described in stunned fashion as “the manifestation of sheer, bloody genius -– Ireland is chic.” (Laughter.)

And obviously we know, though, that that wasn’t always the case. After centuries of oppression, the Irish began coming to America -– even before America had been won. Many came with no family, no friends, no money -– nothing to sustain their voyage but faith. Faith in the Almighty. Faith in a better life over the horizon. And faith that in America, you can make it if you try.

And in the wake of a Great Hunger, that migration intensified. And the Irish carved out a place for themselves in our nation’s story -– America and Ireland, our brawn and our blood, side by side in the making and remaking of this nation; pulling it westward, pushing it skyward, moving it forward -– even if it was a nation that was not always as welcoming as it could be.

But with hard work and toughness and loyalty and faith, the Irish persevered. And in the process they secured the future for generations of Irish-Americans free to live their lives as they will -– and today, free to argue openly and proudly about who is more Irish than whom. (Laughter.)

So it can be easy to forget that there was a time when “No Irish Need Apply.” Particularly when it was half a century ago this year that John F. Kennedy walked through the doors of this house as the first Irish Catholic President of the United States. (Applause.)

One person who never forgot this history -– someone who frequently recalled his grandfather’s vivid stories of those days; who through his office window could see the Boston Harbor steps where his eight Irish grandparents first set foot in America –- was the President’s youngest brother and our dear friend, Ted Kennedy. (Applause.)

He knew, as we do, that our nation is infinitely richer for not only the contributions of the Irish throughout history -– but the contributions of people from around the world. That’s why I’m pleased that there’s bipartisan progress being made in an area that I know was close to his big heart -– and that's fixing our broken immigration system. (Applause.) And that’s why my own commitment to comprehensive immigration reform remains unwavering.

In this and every other battle for progress, Ted was a tireless warrior. And I know that we could use him this week. I am so glad that we’re joined tonight by his wife Vicki; his daughter, Kara; his son, Congressman Patrick Kennedy; and his sister-in-law, Ethel Kennedy, as well as a whole bunch of nieces and nephews. Please give them a big round of applause. (Applause.)

Both of our nations are down one friend, a champion, and peacemaker. But it wouldn’t be Irish mourning without some undercurrent of joy. So while Teddy’s laughter may not shake the walls of this house tonight, as it did so many times over the past half-century, ours will not be diminished. While his singing may not fill these rooms, I suspect that won’t stop some of you from trying. (Laughter.) You don't have to try, though -- that's why we brought in the entertainment. (Laughter.)

This is rightly a day for celebration and good cheer between America and one of her oldest friends -– and it’s a partnership that extends to our earliest days as a Republic. So before I turn it over to the Taoiseach, let me leave you with all the words from those early days that speak to why this has been such an incredible relationship between our two countries. These are words spoken by the father of our country, George Washington:

“When our friendless standards were first unfurled, who were the strangers who first mustered around our staff? And when it reeled in the light, who more brilliantly sustained it than Erin’s generous sons? Ireland, thou friend of my country in my country’s most friendless days, much injured, much enduring land, accept this poor tribute from one who esteems thy worth, and mourns thy desolation. May the God of Heaven, in His justice and mercy, grant thee more prosperous fortunes, and in His own time, cause the sun of Freedom to shed its benign radiance on the Emerald Isle.”

To all of you from near and far, and over all the years and tests ahead, may America and Ireland forever brilliantly sustain one another’s sons and daughters.

And with that, to our guest, the Taoiseach of Ireland, on behalf of the American people we want to thank you for your presence here. We are proud to call you a friend this day and every day. And we are looking forward to planting this little piece of Ireland in the garden here in the White House.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day, everybody. (Applause.)

President Obama Declares March as Irish Heritage Month, 2010

2010-03-03T10:23:00.001-08:00

From long before American independence to today, countless individuals have reached our shores, bringing vibrant cultures and diverse roots, and immeasurably enriching our Nation. This month, we honor the contributions made by the tens of millions of Americans who trace their heritage to the Emerald Isle.

Irish Americans fought for our independence, and their signatures adorn our founding documents. When famine ravaged Ireland in the 1840s and 1850s, many Irish men and women sought a new beginning in the United States. Though they faced poverty and discrimination, these immigrants transformed our cities, served in our Armed Forces, and settled the frontiers of our young Nation. Their children, and succeeding generations of Irish Americans, have preserved their culture's values while becoming leaders in every facet of American life.

During this year's Irish-American Heritage Month, we also celebrate an extraordinary Irishman: Senator Edward M. Kennedy. Throughout his career in public service, Senator Kennedy worked tirelessly to create opportunity for all Americans. His legacy lives on in the legislation he championed, which will bolster and protect the health, education, and civil rights of Americans for generations to come.

Across the Atlantic, the people of Ireland continue to confront their own challenges with resolve and determination. In the face of violence perpetuated by some -- testing a hard-earned peace -- the people of Northern Ireland have responded heroically. Undaunted, they and their leaders persist on the road to peace and prosperity enshrined over a decade ago in the Good Friday Agreement. The United States remains committed to supporting the political process and the work of those who have shown leadership in pursuit of a lasting peace.

Today, the sons and daughters of Erin can look back with pride on their many contributions to the civic and cultural life of America. Like so many of our Nation's ethnic communities, Irish Americans are a people whose hard work and resilience have brought them great opportunity and success, and whose service to our Nation has left it a better place.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by the virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States do hereby proclaim March 2010 as Irish-American Heritage Month. I call upon all Americans to observe this month by celebrating the contributions of Irish American to our Nation with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.

BARACK OBAMA

Remarks of US Secretary State Hillary Clinton on Northern Ireland

2010-02-05T11:30:00.000-08:00

February 5, 2010

Well, today is a very positive day for Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland has taken another important step toward a full and lasting peace. Its political leaders have agreed on a roadmap and timeline for the devolution of policing and justice powers, and they’ve taken other productive steps as well. The accord they announced today will help consolidate the hard-won gains of the past decade.

Now, this has not been an easy road. There were plenty of bumps along the way. I have been in regular contact with the parties during the past year and, especially since my trip to Belfast in October, and I know that the way forward was far from clear. So I really want to applaud all of the parties for ultimately choosing negotiations over confrontation. In finalizing this deal, Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness and their teams displayed the kind of leadership that the people of Northern Ireland deserve.

I want to recognize the leadership and the patient resolve of Prime Minister Brown and Taoiseach Cowen, as well as Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward and Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin. They have resolutely focused on moving this process forward, forging common ground, and reaching an outcome that will keep Northern Ireland on the path of peace and stability.

Now, this is not the end of the journey. So far, the devolution process has enabled Northern Ireland’s leaders to enact a range of needed reforms, from health to housing to environmental safety. Now they have even greater authority, and with that authority comes greater responsibility. They must continue to lead. The people of Northern Ireland are poised to build a thriving society on this stronger foundation – a country where neighbors can live free from fear and all people have the potential to fulfill their God-given rights.

This is a dream nurtured for so long in the hearts of people across Northern Ireland. It is also a dream that lives far beyond its borders, in countries and communities where ethnic and religious conflicts persist. This latest success in Northern Ireland points the way forward – and not only for this conflict. Northern Ireland gives us hope that, despite entrenched opposition and innumerable setbacks, diligent diplomacy and committed leadership can overcome generations of suspicion and hostility.

So, now we join the world in looking to the leaders of Northern Ireland to build upon their efforts by promoting a new spirit of cooperation among all of the parties. As they do, the United States will help. Our Economic Envoy, Declan Kelly, will continue working to help Northern Ireland reap the dividends of peace, including economic growth, international investment, and other new opportunities. In the near future, Declan and I will host First Minister Robinson and Deputy First Minister McGuinness here in Washington to discuss further investment in Northern Ireland and ways to build on this agreement.

I spoke very, very late in the evening in Northern Ireland with both Sean and Micheal and congratulated them, thanked them for their efforts. I spoke early this morning with both Peter and Martin and did the same, and also pledged our continuing support for their efforts.

So today, we salute this achievement. We recognize that a new chapter of partnership among Northern Ireland’s political leadership and people can now begin. And I am confident that the people of Northern Ireland will make the most of this moment. I want to reaffirm the commitment of the United States, and my personal commitment to support them in every way we can as they continue on this very positive path into the future.

See Video.

President Obama Campaigns for Martha Coakley in Massachusetts

2010-01-19T07:10:00.000-08:00

Boston, MA – President Barack Obama came to Boston on Sunday to endorse Massachusetts Senate candidate Martha Coakley, appearing at a rally at Northeastern University.

President Obama also released an ad calling upon voters to get to the polls on Tuesday, January 19 to ensure Coakley's victory.

The ad can be viewed on youtube.

Campaign Manager Kevin Conroy said, “Massachusetts voters understand the clear difference they face tomorrow. One candidate will stand with Wall Street, and with the failed economic policies of the past. One candidate will stand with middle class families and lead our Commonwealth into a more prosperous future. The energy surrounding President Obama’s visit and the upcoming election reflects the enthusiasm we’ve seen for Martha’s proud record of standing up for Massachusetts, and her strong vision for our country.”

Coakley became Massachusetts’ first female Attorney General in January 2007. Throughout her public career, she has a proven record of taking on big challenges and getting real results for the people of this Commonwealth. As Attorney General, Coakley took on Wall Street to protect consumers, recovering record settlements in enforcement actions from companies such as Goldman Sachs and Fremont Investment and Loan for violating consumer protection laws. As part of her Cyber Crime Initiative, Coakley revolutionized the tools available to prosecutors for fighting crime in the 21st century, ensuring that Massachusetts is on the cutting edge of public safety.

Coakley, 56, was raised in North Adams. She is a graduate of Williams College in Williamstown, MA, where she was a member of the first class admitted to the college that included female students. She received her law degree from Boston University School of Law in 1979. Coakley resides in Medford with her husband, Thomas F. O’Connor, a retired police Deputy Superintendent.

Statement by Vice President Joe Biden on the Death of his Mother

2010-01-11T11:10:00.000-08:00

“My mother, Catherine Eugenia “Jean” Finnegan Biden, passed away peacefully today at our home in Wilmington, Delaware, surrounded by her children, her grandchildren, her great-grandchildren and many loved ones. At 92, she was the center of our family and taught all of her children that family is to be treasured, loyalty is paramount and faith will guide you through the tough times. She believed in us, and because of that, we believed in ourselves. Together with my father, her husband of 61 years who passed away in 2002, we learned the dignity of hard work and that you are defined by your sense of honor. Her strength, which was immeasurable, will live on in all of us.”

Catherine Eugenia “Jean” Finnegan Biden was born on July 17, 1917, the daughter of the late Ambrose J. Finnegan and the former Geraldine C. Blewitt of Scranton, Pennsylvania. In 1941, she married Joseph Robinette Biden. They were married for 61 years before Mr. Biden passed away in 2002.

Mrs. Biden is survived by her eldest son, Vice President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., his wife Jill Jacobs Biden and their three children, Joseph R. Biden, III, of Wilmington, Delaware, his wife Hallie Olivere Biden and their children, Natalie Paige Biden and Robert Hunter Biden, II; R. Hunter Biden of Washington, D.C., his wife Kathleen Buhle Biden and their children, Naomi King Biden, Finnegan James Biden and Roberta Mabel Biden; and Ashley Blazer Biden of Wilmington, Delaware; and by her daughter, Valerie Biden Owens of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, her husband John T. Owens and their children Valerie James Owens, Cuffe Biden Owens and Catherine Eugenia Owens; and by her two younger sons, James Brian Biden of Merion Station, Pennsylvania, his wife Sara Jones Biden and their children, James Brian Biden, Jr., Caroline Nicole Biden and Nicholas Coleman Biden; and Francis W. Biden of Florida and his daughter, Alana Jaquet Biden.

Details on services for Mrs. Biden, 92, will be available in the coming days. On behalf of the Biden family, Valerie Biden Owens has requested that, in lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a contribution in memory of Mrs. Biden do so to a hospice, the Ministry of Caring in Wilmington, Delaware, or the Naomi Christina Biden Minority Scholarship Fund at Archmere Academy in Claymont, Delaware.

Remarks of U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to Northern Ireland Assembly

2009-10-13T07:09:00.000-07:00

"We meet at an important time in the history of Northern Ireland. In the 11 years since the Good Friday Agreement was signed, you have traveled a long way together on the road to peace. Groups have laid down their weapons. Empty streets are now bustling with activity. And here, in this chamber, men and women who were once sworn enemies work side by side to secure the achievements of recent years, and to deliver a stable, prosperous future for the people you represent.

These accomplishments are remarkable, and a credit to you and to all those who have worked for peace, not only the leaders here at Stormont, but also Westminster and Leinster House. But most importantly, to the thousands of ordinary citizens, mothers and fathers, whose determination to end the Troubles made them fervent activists for peace.

At this time, we can recognize you have traveled a great distance. But you do not need me to tell you that your journey is not yet over. The promise of the Good Friday Agreement and the St. Andrews Agreement is not yet fully realized. And Northern Ireland is now facing a new challenge with the global economic downturn, which threatens some of the gains that you have made in the past decade.

The value of peace is not only the absence of violence. It is also the presence of new opportunities for investment and jobs, for education and health care, and political participation. So it is critical, in this moment of economic turmoil, to protect the progress you have already achieved, and to build upon it, to ensure that your people continue to enjoy the rewards of peace, and to embrace it for the long term.

Since this assembly was restored two-and-a-half years ago, this devolution has enabled you to work together to enact sensible, necessary reforms on everything from health to housing to environmental safety. No one ever said it was going to be easy. Of course it is difficult. It is the nature of democracy. It is not easy in any legislature, as I know from experience, under the best of circumstances. But in these circumstances, the work you have done is all the more extraordinary.

So, please know that the Obama administration and the United States is committed to helping you finish your journey to put far behind you the long years of division and conflict, to build confidence and trust across all communities and political parties, and to honor the hopes and sacrifices of your people by making whole and permanent Northern Ireland's emerging peace.

Now, we know what it means to be supportive. And we also know what it means to meddle. And I want to be clear that when it comes to the important issue of devolution, of policing and justice, that is a decision for this assembly to make. But as a true friend -- and I thank the Speaker for his kind comments -- my hope is that you will achieve what you have set out to do, to complete the process of devolution. And I am confident that, together, you can go forward and harness the exciting, human, and economic potential that Northern Ireland has to offer.

I know there has been considerable effort in recent weeks to address concerns, and work toward a resolution during this important period. There have been many moments in Northern Ireland's peace journey when progress seemed difficult, when every route forward was blocked, and there seemed to be nowhere to go. But you have always found a way to do what you believed was right for the people of Northern Ireland. As Scripture urges us, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

And today, Northern Ireland stands as an example to the world of how even the staunchest adversaries can overcome differences to work together for the common and greater good. So, I encourage you to move forward now with that same spirit of unstoppable grit and resolve. And I pledge that the United States will be behind you all the way, as you work toward peace and stability that lasts."

For full text, click here.

Photo: Hillary Clinton with Northern Ireland Ministers Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness

Irish-American Comments on Senator Edward M. Kennedy

2009-08-29T14:46:00.000-07:00

Dan Rooney, US Ambassador to Ireland
“It is with sorrow that I report on the passing of Senator Edward M. Kennedy. Senator Kennedy was not only a great American statesman, but a good friend of mine and of Ireland and its people.

“Senator Kennedy was a true advocate of health care, especially for children. He was committed to the idea that everyone should have access to health care.

“He was a giant in furthering legislative resolutions for people in need, among not only his own constituents, but also among the people of Ireland.

“Since his early days in the Senate, Ted Kennedy was active in the Northern Ireland peace process. He introduced resolutions condemning all violence in Northern Ireland, expressing support for the Good Friday agreement in 1998 and the blueprint for lasting peace.

“Senator Kennedy was an instrumental supporter of Barack Obama's candidacy for the office of President of the United States. He continued that support after President Obama was elected.

“My deepest sympathies go out to Senator Kennedy's wife, Victoria, and the entire Kennedy family. He will be sincerely missed for his active role in legislation and for his concern for the needy.”

Carol Wheeler, Irish Liaison for Obama Presidential Campaign
“Irish Americans have special reason to celebrate the incredible life of Senator Edward Kennedy for his heart most surely was that of an immigrant’s great-grandson who never forgot the wonder of what is possible in America. He fought tirelessly on behalf of our most vulnerable citizens (including our newest) to ensure that they, too, have the opportunity to realize their dreams. Our country is a better place because he won so many of those fights.

“He also used his extraordinary political skills to play a pivotal role in the resolution of the Irish ‘Troubles’. In addition to providing policy and diplomatic guidance that helped end the violence, he was unfailing in his support of on-the-ground efforts aimed at reconciliation and community-building. I remember a hot July day in Washington many years ago and a Senator who came home early from work to preside over a backyard cook-out for boys and girls who were spending the summer with Project Children. He was a buoyant host, clearly relishing the mix of Protestant and Catholic kids from Northern Ireland – ‘enemies’ at home – splashing side by side in his pool and sharing jokes at the picnic tables.

“We can be sure that this sad week has brought back many memories of that happy day in places like Belfast, Armagh and Derry. And that Senator Kennedy’s young guests – now adults with families of their own – are saying a quiet ‘thank you’ not only for a great party but for the peace that has come to their communities.

Trina Vargo, President, US-Ireland Alliance
“Senator Kennedy s commitment to Ireland and Northern Ireland spanned forty years and no one has contributed more to the strengthening of the relationship between the US and the island of Ireland. He encouraged me to create the US-Ireland Alliance and everyone at the Alliance is grateful for the continuous support he gave to the organization and the Mitchell Scholarship program. Personally, he gave me, at a very young age, an incredible opportunity to be a part of making a difference in a way that few people get. I told him when I left his employ that, no matter what I did with the rest of my life, the way that I see things would, to a very great extent, be shaped by the way that I learned to see things by working with him. And for that I feel honored and privileged -- but most of all I feel incredibly lucky -- that he allowed me to be a part of his work.”

Brian O’Dwyer, Chair, Emerald Isle Immigration Center
“I first met Ted Kennedy in 1963. I was a freshman at the George Washington University in Washington DC and was eager to intern with the recently elected Senator from Massachusetts. Armed with a letter of introduction from my father I sought the coveted internship for the newest star of the Kennedy family.

“I was not disappointed. The work of intern is mundane, but I did learn the workings of a Senate office by just being there. An added bonus was that Sen. Kennedy would always take time to have a kind word with us. I remember that he would always know who we were and would ask us about our lives.

“In 1999, my wife and I endowed the Paul O'Dwyer lecture on political ethics at the George Washington University. My father was deep admirer of Ted Kennedy and was an early supporter of his failed quest for the Presidency. It was Ted Kennedy who left Capitol Hill and traveled to the campus to pay tribute to the work of his friend Paul O'Dwyer. His words were as always eloquent, but it was his gesture in making himself available in spite of a hectic schedule that will always make me deeply grateful.

“He was disappointed that his immigration bill did not get passed. I remember him coming to me and saying, “Take a look at the bill Brian, I sure took care of the Irish” He never forgot a friend or an enemy, but constantly strived to make sure bridges were built and gaps overcome. He profoundly influenced my life and an entire generation of Irish Catholics. We will not see the like of him again.”

James Lamb, President, Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh
“When Pittsburgh was on its back in 1983, the steel mills were closing and the mill towns along the three rivers were dying, and the ranks of poverty swelled across Western Pennsylvania, guess who came to listen, to understand, and to help. Senator Ted Kennedy, D-Massachusetts. He taught me that poverty knows no boundary and our only hope to combat it is to educate the poor child and re-train the dislocated worker.

“Ten years later, as I began to serve the disadvantaged populations of Ireland, North and South, it was no surprise to find out that the too had a champion in Ted Kennedy. May he rest in peace.”

Michael Quinlin, Irish Americans for Obama/Biden
“Like everything he did in his political career, Senator Ted Kennedy sought to understand and master the nuances of Northern Ireland’s political, economic and cultural complexities.

“He wielded a full arsenal of insight, passion and wisdom, along with personal convictions and personable skills to help create an environment for negotiation in Northern Ireland. He dispatched his sister Jean Kennedy Smith and talented staff members from his office to the Clinton Administration, and they helped President Bill Clinton and Special Envoy George Mitchell jumpstart and then solidify the peace process.

“Just as he reached across the aisle in Congress, Senator Kennedy reached across the community divide in Northern Ireland to bring everyone into the conversation for peace. He picked up the phone frequently to ensure that party leaders in Northern Ireland stayed the course in their search for a lasting resolution.

“Senator Kennedy’s optimism, can-do attitude and desire to reach common ground exemplify the best characteristics of Irish-American involvement in Northern Ireland in our lifetime.”

Bruce Morrison, former US Congressman (CT), Chairman, Morrison Public Affairs Group
I first met Ted Kennedy up close in 1982 when he came to campaign for me in the closing days of my first Congressional campaign. It was quite an honor and a thrill—to have him whip up the crowd in a filled-to-the-rafters church on the New Haven Green—and a humbling experience to try to follow him to the podium. But it was at that moment that I truly believed in the upset victory that was to come a few short days later. Much has been said about Ted’s can-do sprit for his own work, but at least as important is the fact that his encouragement and his optimism gave strength to all who worked with him

In the years to come, we were to work on many things together, bankruptcy reform to protect union contracts, immigration reform to make the laws fairer and more generous, and a visa for Gerry Adams to kick-start the peace process. When working with Ted Kennedy on a project, the question was always the best way to get it done, not who would get the credit. Some call them “Morrison visas”, but without Ted Kennedy there would have been no such visas at all.

In the itemizing of Ted’s lifetime of legislative achievements, the Immigration Act of 1965 gets scant mention. And some have criticized that law for having undercut an Irish advantage in the allocation of visas. But as a veteran of immigration fights over the past quarter century, I can say that this early piece of work—just two years into his Senate career—is one of his greatest contributions to the strength of America. Before 1965, the ability to immigrate to America depended on where you were born, with natives of some parts of the world, like China, Japan and Africa being virtually barred. Since 1965, the hope of coming to America can exist in every land and the creation of the earth’s first “universal nation” built on belief in the American Dream, not ethnicity, has taken root. There could be no prouder achievement, yet it is just one of many for the career of Ted Kennedy.

DEATH OF SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY

2009-08-26T16:54:00.000-07:00

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release August 26, 2009

- - - - - - -
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION

Senator Edward M. Kennedy was not only one of the greatest
senators of our time, but one of the most accomplished Americans
ever to serve our democracy. Over the past half-century, nearly
every major piece of legislation that has advanced the civil
rights, health, and economic well-being of the American people
bore his name and resulted from his efforts. With his passing,
an important chapter in our American story has come to an end.

As a mark of respect for the memory of Senator Edward M.
Kennedy, I hereby order, by the authority vested in me by the
Constitution and laws of the United States of America, that
the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at
the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at
all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels
of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and
throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions
until sunset on August 30, 2009. I also direct that the flag of
the United States shall be flown at half-staff until sunset on
the day of his interment. I further direct that the flag shall
be flown at half-staff for the same periods at all United States
embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities
abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and
stations.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-sixth day of August, in the year of our Lord
two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States
of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.

BARACK OBAMA
# # #

Senator Kennedy: A Statement from President Obama

2009-08-26T06:02:00.000-07:00

Michelle and I were heartbroken to learn this morning of the death of our dear friend, Senator Ted Kennedy.

For five decades, virtually every major piece of legislation to advance the civil rights, health and economic well being of the American people bore his name and resulted from his efforts.

I valued his wise counsel in the Senate, where, regardless of the swirl of events, he always had time for a new colleague. I cherished his confidence and momentous support in my race for the Presidency. And even as he waged a valiant struggle with a mortal illness, I've profited as President from his encouragement and wisdom.

An important chapter in our history has come to an end. Our country has lost a great leader, who picked up the torch of his fallen brothers and became the greatest United States Senator of our time.

And the Kennedy family has lost their patriarch, a tower of strength and support through good times and bad.

Our hearts and prayers go out to them today--to his wonderful wife, Vicki, his children Ted Jr., Patrick and Kara, his grandchildren and his extended family.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/Senator-Kennedy/

Ambassador Dan Rooney

2009-07-01T15:17:00.001-07:00

Dan Rooney's Swearing-In Ceremony as US Ambassador to Ireland

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton Swears in Dan Rooney as US Ambassador to Ireland

2009-07-01T14:35:00.000-07:00

Well, good afternoon, and welcome to the State Department. I came off the injured reserve list – – in order to officiate at this ceremony because I could not be more delighted than to make official what is going to be so well received in Ireland and means so much to Americans, not only Irish Americans but all Americans, and that is the swearing-in of our new ambassador to Ireland.

Now, we do have special guests with us, and I thank the Irish chargé d'affaires for being here, Mr. McDaid, and I thank Mrs. Collins for being here as well. Her husband, the ambassador, is in Ireland as we speak. And having Senator Robert Casey, my colleague, here, as well as Attorney General Eric Holder is a special treat.

Now, I’m not sure that we specifically mentioned all of the Rooneys who are here. Please forgive us if we forgot anyone. But this is just a representative sampling of the Rooney family.

You know, we may be meeting in Washington, but the city at the heart of today’s celebration is Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. And in recent years, Pittsburgh has staged a remarkable comeback. It has made such great strides in transforming its economy and developing its high-tech sector, and those are accomplishments that led President Obama to select Pittsburgh as the site for the meeting of the G-20 this September.

Pittsburgh is rich in arts and culture, and, of course, it continues to shine in sports. It is, I think, an understatement to say that with the Pittsburgh Penguins winning their third Stanley Cup, and, of course, the Steelers winning the Super Bowl for a record-breaking sixth time, the site of Pittsburgh is not only a great place to showcase business, but also the success of American sports as well.

And today, we are celebrating the man behind the Steelers, one of Pittsburgh’s leading citizens and our next ambassador to Ireland, Mr. Dan Rooney. Ambassador Rooney is assuming this post at a crucial time. Ireland is one of our closest allies. Our countries are connected by political, economic, cultural, and certainly familial ties. And we share a deep and rich history, one that continues today. It is sustained and enhanced by the millions of people in both nations whose family and loved ones live in the other. And I witnessed that firsthand when I marched in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Pittsburgh last year. I never saw so many people – until, of course, I got to Scranton, Bob.

Forty million Americans boast Irish heritage, and I expect we have a few in the room today in addition to the Rooneys. And as every American can attest, those of our neighbors and friends who are sons and daughters of Ireland are fiercely proud of their ancestry. And we are so grateful to the Irish immigrants who sweated and sacrificed to build this country and who broke down barriers at every level of society.

The friendship between Ireland and the United States is vital to both of our nations, and President Obama and I are confident that it will deepen with Dan and Patricia Rooney in Dublin. We have a great team here together. This is a partnership. These are civic leaders and successful people who are also lifelong supporters of Ireland.

In the early 1970s, after a trip to Ireland in which Ambassador Rooney saw for himself the destructive effects of deprivation and division, he founded the American Ireland Fund. Today, the Ireland Funds operate in 11 countries worldwide, uniting people of Irish descent to further progress in their ancestral homeland. And as Dan Rooney knows, the children and grandchildren of immigrants often have a deep desire to contribute to the nation where their families got their start.

And so today, Chargé McDaid, we are sending you one of our very best. There is no greater champion of Irish-American relations than Dan Rooney. And in the months ahead, as we work together to address the many challenges we face, from the global economic downturn, to the threat of terrorism, to climate change, to the development of clean energy sources, as well as to our continuing emphasis on the peace process in Northern Ireland, I am confident that with Dan Rooney as our ambassador, our partnership will thrive, and that will benefit Ireland, the United States, and all the world’s people.

So Ambassador Rooney, if you’re ready, I am ready to administer the oath. Please raise your right hand.

(The Oath of Office was administered.)

http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2009a/july/125539.htm

Senator Casey Applauds Rooney Confirmation

2009-06-27T02:20:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON, DC-U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) welcomed the confirmation of Dan Rooney to be ambassador to Ireland. Senator Casey released the following statement:

“I am very pleased that the U.S. Senate has confirmed my friend Dan Rooney to be ambassador to Ireland. This speedy confirmation will allow Dan Rooney to get to work as a bridge between the United States and Ireland. In the Steelers loss the United States gains a humble and knowledgeable public servant.”

Although Rooney only had his nomination hearing yesterday, Senator Casey, in his capacity as a Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, worked closely with Chairman John Kerry and Ranking Member Dick Lugar to expedite full Senate consideration of Rooney’s nomination to ensure that Rooney can travel to Ireland as early as next week to present his credentials to the Irish President and assume his new diplomatic posting.

Senator Robert Casey

Statement of Daniel Rooney - Ambassador Designate to Ireland

2009-06-27T02:11:00.000-07:00

Daniel Rooney
Ambassador-Designate to Ireland
Statement Before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
June 24, 2009

Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee, it is my honor to be here today as the President’s nominee to be the United States Ambassador to Ireland. I would like to thank the President and Secretary Clinton for the confidence they have demonstrated in nominating me. I was always warned against the sin of pride but I offer the following in a spirit of humility and in recognition that I have been blessed by many opportunities in this great nation.

First, I believe that an American Ambassador must have a great love for, and knowledge of, our country and our people and be able to advance the interests of the United States in a professional, effective and creative way. It is my intention to serve in that manner.

I am passionate about America and what we stand for. Like millions of others, I was deeply stirred by President Obama’s declaration to people and governments around the world last January, when he said: “Know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and we are ready to lead once more.” For me, this is the essence of diplomacy, a belief in the human spirit and that we can improve our world by engagement and development of shared interests, including peace, business and culture.

America has indeed been one of the most generous nations in history, motivated by the memories of countless generations of immigrants who found refuge and prosperity here and who wanted to give something back to the world. And there has been no greater friendship than that between America and Ireland. Millions of Americans of Irish decent have forebears who left their homes and families for the opportunities that America offers and built great lives in all 50 states. Irish Americans have excelled in all walks of life including public service -- as Presidents, Members of Congress, and Supreme Court Justices. But what is particularly important for Ireland is that over the past 30 years, America has played a key role in catalyzing and nurturing peace.

I have been deeply involved in the Irish peace process since the Troubles began in the early 1970s. It is important to remember today that there was nothing preordained about the ultimate success of the peace process. It would not have prevailed without the determined diplomacy and patience of good people in Ireland, the UK and the United States. If ever there was a rousing justification for diplomacy and an example for other conflicts around the world, it is the Irish peace process and its combination of diplomats, Presidents, Taoiseachs, Prime Ministers, political leaders, community leaders, church leaders and especially quiet heroes who never gave up hope.

Today in Ireland, people of all ages will tell you stories about the contributions of Presidents Clinton, Reagan and Bush, of Senators Kennedy, Kerry, Dodd, Mitchell, McCain and so many other great leaders from this body. American diplomacy is the best chance for peace in the world and Ireland is its shining example.

My family is originally from Newry, on the border between Northern Ireland and Ireland, and in visits to that town and others, I witnessed some of the worst violence and destruction I have ever seen. Moved by this human suffering, in 1976, Sir Anthony O’Reilly and I founded the American Ireland Fund, a charitable effort dedicated to peace, culture and charity in all of Ireland. We embraced Protestants and Catholics, Irish Republicans and British Loyalists. The Fund quickly harnessed the generosity of thousands of Irish Americans, and we spoke at cities all over America, raising awareness about peace and reconciliation, rejecting the politics of violence, and raising funds for causes like integrated schools between Catholics and Protestants. Since that time, the kindness and generosity of so many Irish Americans has led the Fund to become the largest Irish philanthropic organization -- raising over $300 million dollars, supporting peace, culture, and charity in both Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Today, Ireland, with the peace process largely intact despite recent atrocities, faces new challenges as a small island buffeted by the winds of recession and financial turmoil. While America and Ireland remain great friends, we should not take our special relationship for granted. There is a tendency to look for scapegoats when faced with hardship and we must remind the world that business innovation, with a social safety net, has served the world very well. Successive Irish governments have been pro-business and this, combined with high education standards and a low corporate tax rate, has been the foundation of the rapid Irish economic growth. The Irish government is now faced with some tough budget choices, but I am hopeful that the shared American and Irish spirit of resilience, hard work and innovation will help them through these hard times.

I have also had years of experience as a manager of one of the world’s most successful sporting franchises, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and as an active member of the NFL. I have managed a diverse and talented group of executives, coaches and players and learned how to recruit talented people. I set stretching goals and hold people accountable for results. I believe in drawing clear boundaries involving teamwork, commitment and trust, and then letting folks get to work with their job. This has been a winning formula for me throughout my life. One of my most gratifying accomplishments has been working to insure diversity hiring goes beyond the playing field into coaches and front office personnel. I am humbled that they have named the NFL’s diversity hiring by-law the Rooney Rule.

In conclusion, I believe most Irish people feel a strong attachment to America. I believe we can build on the mutual interests and values to continue to build the rich tapestry of exchanges between America and Ireland. In this respect, I want to pay tribute to all the American leaders who have been so successful in widening and deepening relations between our two countries across politics, business, music, literature, the arts, charity and academia. These men and women, together with their dedicated teams, have served our country with great distinction, professionalism and grace, and we owe them a debt of gratitude. It is my intention to represent this President and our entire nation with that same spirit and dedication.

Thank you and I would be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Casey Statement on Rooney Nomination Being Sent to Senate

2009-06-24T16:40:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON, DC- After the White House officially transmitted to the U.S. Senate the formal nomination of Dan Rooney to be U.S. Ambassador to Ireland, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement:

“I welcome this step forward in Mr. Rooney’s nomination process and will work closely with Chairman Kerry in seeking a Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing for him as soon as possible.”

Transmitting the nomination to the Senate was the next official step in the process following President Obama’s announcement of the intent to nominate Dan Rooney on St. Patrick’s Day. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee can now schedule a nomination hearing.

Senator Casey's Office

White House Nominates Dan Rooney to Senate Foreign Relations Committee

2009-06-24T16:39:00.000-07:00

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary
_______________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 11, 2009

NOMINATION SENT TO THE SENATE:

Daniel M. Rooney of Pennsylvania, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Ireland.

President Obama Nominates Daniel Rooney as Ambassador to Ireland

2009-03-19T14:01:00.000-07:00

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary

________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 17, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today at the White House, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate Daniel Rooney as the Ambassador to Ireland.
President Obama said, "I am honored and grateful that such a dedicated and accomplished individual has agreed to serve as the representative of the United States to the Irish people. Dan Rooney is an unwavering supporter of Irish peace, culture, and education, and I have every confidence that he and Secretary Clinton will ensure America’s continued close and unique partnership with Ireland in the years ahead."

Dan Rooney is the recent recipient of the American Ireland Fund’s Lifetime Achievement Award and honorary Commander of the British Empire for contributions to peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland, has played an integral role in the Irish peace process since the early 1970s. In 1976, Rooney co-founded the American Ireland Fund, an organization which to date has raised over $300 million for peace and education programs in Ireland. Rooney founded the annual prize for Irish Literature in 1987 and co-founded the Ireland Institution of Pittsburgh in 1989. In 1993, the "Rooney Fellowship" was created to honor his generosity and charitable works. Chairman of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the winners of Super Bowl XLIII, Rooney was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000. He has been the recipient of various awards in relation to his work within the community and for his involvement with the National Football League over the last 26 years, including: the Sporting News NFL Executive of the Year in 1972 and 2001, the Maxwell Football Club Reds Bagwell Award in 1999, and, in 2008, the YWCA Racial Justice Award and the Ellis Island Medal of Honor presented by the National Ethnic Coalition. Rooney also led the sports world’s efforts to include diversity beyond the field and into the front office through the "Rooney Rule."

President Obama Declares March 2009 as Irish-American Heritage Month

2009-03-04T15:33:00.000-08:00

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
_______________________________________

For Immediate Release March 2, 2009

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Even before the birth of our Nation, the sons and daughters of Erin departed their homes in search of liberty and a more hopeful future. As these early pioneers left familiar lands, they carried with them the rich traditions of home. This March we honor their journey and their lasting contributions to the history and culture of the United States.

Following the colonial migrations, the United States enjoyed the greatest influx of Irish during the 1840s as Ireland suffered the Great Famine. Hungry but hopeful, poor but perseverant, Irish-Americans seized the opportunity to work hard, enjoy success, and pursue the American Dream.Many took on the difficult work of constructing America's infrastructure. Others assumed positions of leadership. Among those leaders were signers of the Declaration of Independence and Presidents of the United States. Still others enjoyed great success and influence in the arts and literature. From social activists to business leaders, athletes to clergy, and first responders to soldiers, distinguished Irish-Americans have made indelible contributions to our national identity.

Today, tens of millions of Irish-Americans can look back with pride on the legacy of their forebears. Irish-Americans are integral to the rich fabric of the United States, and we are grateful for their service and contributions.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Barack Obama, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 2009 as Irish-American Heritage Month. I encourage all Americans to observe this month with appropriate ceremonies, programs, and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this second day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

BARACK OBAMA

Building a new relationship with America

2008-11-19T14:48:00.000-08:00

By Trina Vargo and Mary Lou Hartman

The election of Barack Obama as the next president of the United States marks a turning point for the US and presents an important opportunity for Ireland to re-examine and rejuvenate the deeply valuable and historic relationship it shares with America.

The Taoiseach's recent call for a review of US-Ireland relations couldn't come at a better time. For the review to be truly effective, it is essential to begin with a realistic understanding of what Irish America is, and is not, and to pose this important question: what do we want the US-Ireland relationship to be in the 21st century?

It is necessary to understand that there is no such thing as a monolithic "Irish-American vote". Irish-Americans are Democrats and Republicans, Catholics and Protestants, wealthy and working class.

They want our economy back on track and they want decent jobs with fair wages so that they can support their families. They want a healthcare system that is not so expensive that it forces them to choose between buying groceries and buying their medications. They want college to be affordable. They want us to stop ignoring the increasingly serious problems of the environment.

There is no such thing as an "Irish-American" vote motivated solely, or even primarily, by issues relating to Ireland.

What does this mean? In the New York Times Magazine of August 10th, in an article entitled, "Is Obama the End of Black Politics?", Matt Bai wrote: "For a lot of younger African-Americans, the resistance of the civil rights generation to Obama's candidacy signified the failure of their parents to come to terms, at the dusk of their lives, with the success of their own struggle - to embrace the idea that black politics might now be disappearing into American politics in the same way that the Irish and Italian machines long ago joined the political mainstream."

If there was ever a time to recognise and embrace the fact that Irish-America is now part of the US political mainstream, it is now. The Obama administration offers an opportunity to redefine the US-Ireland relationship - one that is built on mutually beneficial objectives and a recognition that, in addition to the enduring value of the ancestral ties and shared history of the two countries, Ireland has much to offer the United States and the world.

Many leading political figures in the United States, for example, have cited the peace process in Northern Ireland as a lesson in conflict resolution which can be used to bring people together and help countries around the world to both avoid and resolve conflicts.

When we look ahead, we see boundless opportunities to strengthen old ties and create and establish new and important links between the United States and Ireland.

First and foremost, economic innovation should be a key part of the relationship. In the recent US presidential campaign, Ireland was cited repeatedly for its low corporate tax rate.

Senator John McCain wanted to lower the US corporate tax rate to encourage overseas American companies to come home to the US, and Senator Obama suggested closing tax loopholes that now encourage American firms to move overseas.

What will this mean for Ireland? It's impossible to know at this point, but it is hard to imagine any sudden exodus of US companies from Ireland. Recent years have demonstrated that Ireland has a global economy, but the strength of the Irish economy should not rely predominantly on multinational investment. In other words, Ireland should not put all its eggs into the one basket of its low corporate tax rate.

Instead, Ireland should be equally, or better known, for a world-class innovation economy.

Ireland can and should be a leader and a model in the creation and development of "green jobs" - jobs focused on environmental protection, whether through alternative energy, technology, or jobs such as retrofitting homes and office buildings for energy conservation.

With this in mind, the US-Ireland Alliance has been having conversations with Irish business and political leaders about convening a US-Ireland conference on The Green Economy - Jobs and the Environment.

Ireland has the ability, the natural resources, the branding and the structure to become a global leader in this field. It is a natural partner for the United States on this vital 21st century issue, not least because Barack Obama has already declared that alternative energy and job creation, particularly "green" jobs, will be a priority of his administration.

Irish and Northern Irish universities already have strong environmental programmes in place. They should be strengthening and developing these programmes, and also working together to position themselves at the forefront of the environmental movement. Leadership from Ireland on these issues will help create a new conversation with America.

Education is another area in which the US-Ireland relationship can flourish. We have seen this already with the George Mitchell Scholarship programme, which gives future American leaders an opportunity to study on the island; the goal is to create and nurture interest in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Because of the success of the programme, colleges and students across America are turning their attention to Irish universities like never before. The publicity surrounding what has become one of the most prestigious scholarships in America has given Irish and Northern Irish universities a higher profile than money could buy.

It is extremely important that, despite the unfortunate downturn in the economy, Ireland does not lose sight of the long-term value of a strong third-level educational system, with its obvious ripple effects.

The idea that "if you build it they will come" is fundamentally true. We have witnessed this truth with the Mitchell scholars, whose connection to Ireland lasts far beyond their year on the island. Education is a powerful and constructive way to connect new generations to the island, and it is imperative that Irish universities be world class.

This past year, Trinity and UCD moved up in global university rankings. Such progress is necessary, but hardly sufficient.

One of the strongest cards Ireland has to play is the culture card, which has the potential to attract tourists to Ireland and can be used to promote Ireland abroad. In fact, the extraordinary literary, dramatic, and musical traditions of Ireland appeal to many people, not just Irish-Americans.

In other words, it's time to think outside the checked Irish-American box, particularly in light of the declining demographic of Irish-America. For example, in February, the US-Ireland Alliance honoured James L Brooks, producer of The Simpsons, at our annual Oscar Wilde event, which honours the Irish in film. We selected Brooks (along with Fiona Shaw and Colm Meaney) because The Simpsons is wildly popular in Ireland and we knew that Brooks himself was a fan of Ireland.

The Irish Film Board was unhappy because, "He's not Irish." But Brooks was thrilled to be selected, and gave a delightfully amusing acceptance speech noting that he had grown up thinking he was Irish until he discovered that his grandparents' last name was Jewish. Since then, an "Irish" episode of The Simpsons has been made and Brooks has expressed an interest in making a film in Ireland.

As more and more people recognise, Irish-America must be reimagined, and it has immense potential. The US-Ireland Alliance is eager to embrace that potential. We hope that the Taoiseach's review will lead to initiatives that seize the moment and build a new relationship for the years ahead based both on our remarkable shared history and the extraordinary possibilities for the future.

There will always be resistance to change. But change, as Obama's campaign and election make clear, is coming. Ireland must either participate or be left behind. Is féidir linn!

• Trina Vargo was an adviser on Irish issues to the Barack Obama election campaign. From 1987 to 1998, she was foreign policy adviser to Senator Edward Kennedy. In 1998, she created the US-Ireland Alliance and serves as its president.
• Mary Lou Hartman is the director of the George Mitchell Scholarship programme. She is a former Peabody Award-winning television producer for CBS and CNN.

This article appeared in The Irish Times on November 14, 2008.

SENATOR EDWARD KENNEDY'S STATEMENT ON OBAMA VICTORY

2008-11-05T04:21:00.000-08:00

WASHINGTON, DC— Senator Edward M. Kennedy released the following statement tonight congratulating President-elect Barack Obama:

“Today, Americans spoke loud and clear and demanded change by electing Barack Obama as our next President. They understood his vision of a fairer and more just America and embraced it. They heard his call for a new generation of Americans to participate in government and were inspired. They believed that change is possible and voted to be part of America’s future.

“Barack Obama is my friend and tonight, I’m very proud to call him my President. I look forward to working with him and Joe Biden on the many challenges facing our country here at home and around the world.”

BARACK OBAMA ON IRISH-AMERICAN ISSUES

2008-10-28T08:31:00.000-07:00

Irish-Americans, like all Americans, are struggling in the current economic downturn. As president, Barack Obama will provide urgently needed financial relief for working and middle class Americans. He will:

Enact an emergency economic plan to jumpstart the economy;
Provide a middle class tax cut of up to $1,000 for 95% of workers and their families;
Provide affordable, quality, portable health care to every American, saving a typical family up to $2,500 each year;
Make college affordable by providing a tax credit that makes the first $4000 of a college education free for most Americans.

Barack Obama will focus on issues that are of special importance to Irish-Americans. Both Senator Obama and his running mate Senator Joe Biden come from Irish stock. Obama’s great, great great grandfather on his mother’s side, Fulmoth Kearney, set sail from County Offaly in 1850, arriving in New York and eventually settling in Ohio. Obama, who has lived and worked on the south side of Chicago, the heart of the city’s strong Irish community, has a first-hand understanding of the remarkable contributions made by Irish immigrants to the United States.

And since Obama’s father came to the United States from Kenya on a scholarship, Senator Obama has a unique sense of the “melting pot” that makes America great.

PEACE. While Senator McCain opposed granting a visa to Gerry Adams during the critical period of the peace process and accused President Clinton of pandering to the Irish in pursuing peace, Obama will make it a priority of his Presidency to build upon the ground-breaking work of the Irish and British Governments, the Clinton Administration, and the parties to the conflict in Northern Ireland and help solidify the peace. Senator Obama will commit all necessary resources to helping with the final steps of the peace process, including devolution of justice. He will invest the weight of the Presidency and appoint a prominent special envoy in order to advance this vital cause.

COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM. While John McCain has backed away from supporting meaningful immigration reform, Obama will fight for a reform package that keeps open the doors of opportunity in our country. Obama has played a leading role in crafting comprehensive immigration reform and believes that our broken immigration system can only be fixed by putting politics aside and offering a solution that strengthens our security while reaffirming our heritage as a nation of immigrants. As president, he will fight to strengthen border security, fix the dysfunctional immigration bureaucracy, and require a responsible path to earned citizenship for undocumented workers and their families.

STRENGTHENED BOND. American investment in Ireland played a leading role in fueling the Celtic Tiger, and Ireland’s economic prosperity in turn led to a boom in Irish investment in the United States. Obama believes that cultural, educational and business exchanges will draw us closer together, as do our common causes and common beliefs. As president, Obama will do all he can to strengthen U.S.-Irish cultural, educational and trade ties which are central to the identities of the United States and Ireland.

Why I believe Barack Obama should be president

2008-10-23T07:31:00.000-07:00

Brian O'Dwyer

As we move through this last month of presidential campaigning, the time has come for us all to assess the candidates and make a decision, based on what we believe is right for America in general, and Irish America in particular.

The campaign, while at times seeming interminable, has nevertheless given us ample opportunity to assess the candidates, their advisors, and their positions. It is certainly no secret that I have been staunch supporter of Senator Hillary Clinton and I continue to believe that she would make a magnificent president. Nor is it a secret that during the course of the campaign I have been critical of Senator Obama's campaign.

Nevertheless, the time has come to make our choice between the two candidates that will be on the ballot on November 4th. I am going to vote for Barack Obama.

I have been a lifelong supporter of two causes that Irish Americans hold dear: freedom for northeast Ireland, and an end to the historical discrimination embodied in our immigration laws against the Irish.

In both instances I have more confidence in Senator Obama than in Senator McCain.

While Obama's record on Irish issues is relatively thin, it stands in clear contrast with McCain's record of opposition to the historical Irish American initiatives that have brought peace to Northern Ireland.

Irish American political involvement clearly led to the granting of a visa to Gerry Adams. It was not only the capstone of Irish American influence in American political life, it was the single most precipitating event that started Northern Ireland on the way to peace, and Ireland on the road to prosperity.

All of us can be proud of our role in bringing that about and will be forever grateful to President Clinton for his courage in the face of strong opposition in granting the Adams visa. As Senator, John McCain was both openly critical and dismissive of President Clinton's actions. If history be our guide, we can expect no better from President McCain than we received from Senator McCain.

On the question of immigration, I have previously expressed my admiration for Senator McCain's courage in advocating for comprehensive immigration reform.

Unfortunately, as the presidential campaign has progressed, McCain has distanced himself from his previous views and has instead embraced the anti-immigrant rhetoric we have long fought against.

The Republican Party platform, which is largely shaped by the candidate and upon which Senator McCain is running, is an unmitigated disaster for those of us who believe in a compassionate immigration policy. I maintain my respect and admiration for Jeff Cleary and Grant Lally, both passionate advocates for Irish immigration, but their influence has clearly waned in the face of the right wing of the Republican Party. We can expect little or nothing from a McCain presidency on the question of immigration reform.

In clear contrast, two of Irish America's most passionate advocates, Congressmen Richard Neal, and Joseph Crowley, have come to the forefront of the Obama campaign.

Both have spent their entire political careers as skillful champions of those issues important to Irish Americans.

Like many other immigration advocates I believe that the end of the suffering of the undocumented Irish and the end to the historical discrimination inherent in our immigration laws can only be achieved within the context of comprehensive immigration reform. I believe that the best chance of achieving our goals is within an Obama administration.

This story appeared in the Irish Echo newspaper on October 22-28, 2008

Obama Praises America's Ethnic Heritage

2008-10-20T06:53:00.000-07:00

Annie Moore and Ellis Island

Dear Friends,

I appreciate the opportunity to share a few thoughts with everyone gathered here today. It’s an honor to join in celebrating the life of the first immigrant to enter our country through Ellis Island, Annie Moore. This is a great opportunity to celebrate the richness of our nation’s ethnic heritage, and the unique role that Irish-Americans have played in writing the American story.

Today, you’re looking back at Annie’s life and at the lives of your ancestors. As you do this, I also encourage you to take a moment to look around you. Because in its own way, this gathering is just as remarkable as Annie’s first steps into the New World. She came with little more than her two brothers and the clothes on her back. She lived the hard tenement life of an immigrant in New York City, but she worked hard, overcame adversity, and raised a family.

And now, just a couple generations after her passing, you are PhDs, investment counselors, actors and writers, and live in every corner of the country. Aside from that $10 gold piece shining in her hand, she wasn’t given anything more than an opportunity. But she went forward knowing that her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren would enjoy greater opportunities and lead better lives.

The idea of honoring those who came before you by sacrificing on behalf of those who follow is at the heart of the American experience. Irish Americans like your ancestors, and mine from County Offaly, understood this well. And because of that understanding and that spirit, America has led the world through great challenges over the last century. Now is our time to lead again. Together, we can overcome the challenges of our time with the same spirit and resoluteness that carried Annie Moore to our shores.

Once again, thank you for allowing me to be a part of today’s celebration. Please accept my wishes for an enjoyable event and continued success.

Sincerely,

Barack Obama

This letter from Barak Obama was read aloud at a ceremony at Calvary Cemetery in Queens, NY, commemorating Irish immigrant Annie Moore, the first person to come through Ellis Island in the 19th century. The ceremony took place on October 11, 2008.

Obama supporters fundraiser in Dublin

2008-10-13T06:59:00.000-07:00

by Mary Fitzgerald

Mon, Oct 13, 2008

SUPPORTERS OF Barack Obama gathered in Dublin yesterday to attend the first fundraising event held in Ireland for the Democratic presidential candidate.

More than 100 US citizens attended the fundraiser which was hosted by Massachusetts native Moira Shipsey at her Dalkey home yesterday afternoon. Ms Shipsey is a refugee lawyer who is married to senior counsel Bill Shipsey.

Among the guests was novelist and filmmaker Rebecca Miller, who lives in Co Wicklow with her husband, actor Daniel Day-Lewis, and their two sons. Ms Miller said she had made her fourth donation to the Obama campaign yesterday but declined to say how much she had contributed.

With three weeks to go until election day, Ms Miller said she was feeling "hopeful but very nervous at the same time".

The US had been "hijacked" in the eight years since George W Bush was first elected, Ms Miller argued. "We need to get our country back and reclaim patriotism for ourselves," she said, and she would be "very sad and disappointed" if John McCain were to win on November 4th.

"McCain and Palin represent our more primitive self as a nation . . . one that is afraid of the future and afraid of change," she said. "We need to elect the man who is going to lead us forward instead."

Other guests included US-Ireland Alliance president Trina Vargo, who was attending in her capacity as adviser on Irish issues to Barack Obama, and former Progressive Democrats junior minister Liz O'Donnell.

US citizens at yesterday's gathering were asked for a minimum donation of €100. Under US electoral legislation the maximum allowable contribution per person is $2,300.

Ms Shipsey, who organised a similar event in 2004 to raise funds for John Kerry's unsuccessful bid for the presidency, said she was "cautiously optimistic" about Obama's chances following his recent move ahead in the polls.

"It's encouraging but there is no room for complacency. Twenty days is a long time in politics."

Emily Mark FitzGerald, a Los Angeles native who lectures in art at UCD, wore a green T-shirt with the slogan "Vote Irish, Vote O'Bama". "I've been donating to the campaign regularly," she said. "Today I donated €150 which brings the total amount I have contributed to around €400. Fundraising is still really important even at this stage."

The event was supported by the Irish chapter of Democrats Abroad. Its chair Kate Fitzgerald said the final fundraising push would be used to step up Obama's campaign in crucial swing states.

"It's important to make sure the message is out there in those states. We can never really get complacent," she added.

Liv Gibbons, a Dublin-based Democrats Abroad superdelegate, who attended the party's convention in Denver in August, agreed. "I'm relieved to see Obama is in front in some battleground states but he's not too comfortably ahead. A lot can happen in the next three weeks."

So far the Obama campaign has raised more than $468 million, about half of which has come from relatively small donations.

This article was published in The Irish Times on Monday, October 13, 2008.

Irish-Americans and Catholics in Pittsburgh Rally for Obama/Biden

2008-10-09T12:22:00.000-07:00

by Michael P. Quinlin

(Pittsburgh) –Sister Patricia McCann taught Catholic Church history at St. Vincent’s College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, and is today an archivist at Carlow University, a Catholic women’s school in Pittsburgh.

She belongs to the Sisters of Mercy order and has worked her whole life on issues of social justice.

She is actively campaigning for the Obama/Biden ticket in Pennsylvania.

Across town, Jim Lamb, who has been involved in economic development in Northern Ireland for over fifteen years and comes from a well-known Irish-American political family, has organized a coalition of Irish-Americans to campaign for Obama/Biden in western Pennsylvania.

McCann and Lamb are part of a robust movement of Irish-Americans and Catholics in western Pennsylvania who are holding rallies, staffing phone banks and organizing voter registration drives over the next month.

Their success may well influence whether Barak Obama or John McCain becomes the next president of the United States. In key states like Pennsylvania and Ohio, Catholic and ethnic communities have emerged as crucial voters being targeted in this election.

Organizers here are urging voters not to cast their ballot based on single-issues like abortion or immigration, two hot-button issues for American Catholics and Irish-Americans. Instead, they say, voters should arguably consider a broader range of issues that speak to the larger issues dominating this election, especially the war and the economy.

Last week a group called “Catholics for Obama,” organized by Cody Fischer, Deputy Director of Catholic Vote, met at Carlow University to discuss the Catholic perspective.

Keynote speaker Nick Cafardi, dean of Duquesne University Law School and former general counsel for the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, missed the meeting due to a family emergency.

But his speech, “Senator Obama: A Moral Choice for Catholics” was read aloud to the 75 people in attendance.

The lecture sought to define the term pro-life as having a larger meaning than just the abortion issue. The term must also include genocide, war, slavery, violence toward women, and other ‘intrinsic evils’ as defined by the Catholic Church.

Said Cafardi, “Senator Obama supports government action that would reduce the number of abortions. He has consistently said that “we should be doing everything we can to avoid unwanted pregnancies that might even lead somebody to consider having an abortion.””

The lecture prompted a lively discussion over whether Catholics should be “single-issue voters.” In the audience were pro-life students who had come from Franciscan University in Steubenville, OH, to voice their views.

McCann attended the meeting, and said later that Obama’s perspective is compatible with her lifelong activism in social justice issues like the Vietnam War and Civil Rights.

“Most of my friends are Obama supporters. Most of us have worked with the poor and with people not at the top of the socio-economic scale. We look at pro-life in a larger sense,” she said, adding, “When economic times are good, abortions go down.”

The Pittsburgh Irish

The following night Lamb’s group, “Pittsburgh Irish for Obama,” held a debate party at Mullaney’s Harp & Fiddle in Pittsburgh, where leaders from the Ancient Order of Hibernians and Irish American Unity Conference joined a variety of campaign workers, community activists and public officials committed to the Democratic ticket.

Attending from Pittsburgh’s Irish-American political establishment was Michael Lamb, City of Pittsburgh Controller, who met Obama’s ethnic outreach supporters at the Democratic National Convention in Denver in August.

Since then he has been volunteering with his brother Jim to help organize the Pittsburgh vote.

Jamie Rooney and Anne Gleeson, who worked for former US Congressman Bill Coyne from Pittsburgh, attended the event, along with AOH leaders Denny Donnelly, Rich O’Malley and Tommy Long, and Sarah McAuliffe Bellin and Jim Caldwell of the Irish American Unity Conference.

In the battle between Obama and McCain in Pennsylvania, a key factor in tipping the scales toward Obama may well be Joe Biden, who is popular with both Irish-American and Catholic communities throughout the state.

Mary Ester Van Shura, a longtime activist involved in Democratic politics for nearly thirty years, is a friend of Biden’s sister, Valarie Biden Owens, one of Senator Biden’s key advisors.

Van Shura says that Biden “epitomizes the Irishness of life, which is a life driven by passion and principle, courage and commitment, and faith and fortitude.”

She says that Biden “kept faith with the needs of the American people so they can all achieve the life envisioned by our ancestors when they left distant shores. Indeed, he is 'one of us.'"

This article appeared in the Irish Echo newspaper on October 8-14, 2008.

McCain lacked judgment on issue of visa for Adams

2008-10-06T06:21:00.000-07:00

OPINION: John McCain was wrong on the peace process: an Obama presidency is in Ireland's interest, writes Jean Kennedy Smith

WHEN IRISH Americans vote in November, the choice is clear: Barack Obama and Joe Biden are the candidates who are best prepared to lead us through the difficult times that lie ahead.

For many Irish Americans, Ireland is extremely important. They want a president who is deeply committed - as Bill Clinton was - to peace in Northern Ireland and strong relations with Ireland.

But commitment is not enough. Judgment is essential too. Unfortunately, John McCain's judgment has often been wrong on Northern Ireland.

Beginning in 1993, I served as Bill Clinton's ambassador to Ireland. After decades of violence, a peace process was being born.

The Clinton administration was considering whether to issue a visa for Gerry Adams, the leader of Sinn Féin, the political wing of the Irish Republican Army, to come to the United States.

By the end of December 1993, there were strong indications that the IRA might be prepared to end its violence and that a visa for Adams to come briefly to the US could help bring about a ceasefire.

John Hume, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1998 for his efforts in Northern Ireland, and the then taoiseach, Albert Reynolds, supported the visa.

But the British government strongly opposed it, and so did many in the state department.

I, my brother, senator Ted Kennedy, and many others urged Bill Clinton to grant it. We agreed that IRA violence was indefensible, but we concluded that granting the visa could help bring it to an end.

The opportunity for a major breakthrough for peace was worth the political risk.

The visa was granted and the strategy worked. The IRA ceasefire came at the end of August 1994.

John McCain was among those who opposed Bill Clinton's peace efforts in Northern Ireland.

McCain followed Britain's lead and opposed giving Gerry Adams the visa. He described Clinton's involvement in Northern Ireland as "mistaken".

He dismissed those who urged Clinton to grant Gerry Adams the visa as "motivated by romantic, anachronistic notions of Irish republicanism".

I found that especially insulting since my brother, and many other Irish American leaders, including house speaker Tip O'Neill, senator Pat Moynihan, and governor Hugh Carey of New York had long opposed IRA violence.

McCain expressed concern about offending our British allies, and later said it was a "terrible mistake to give Gerry Adams the publicity that a visit to the White House gave him".

He publicly defied "anyone to show me how that contributed to peace in Ireland". If it had been left to John McCain, there would have been no Northern Ireland peace process and no peace today.

There have been many ups and downs in the peace process along the way. The ceasefire was temporarily broken in 1996. But 12 years later, it is abundantly clear that the strategy pursued by the Clinton administration - and strongly opposed by John McCain - helped pave the way for the historic 1998 Belfast Agreement.

I returned to Belfast in April of this year to mark the 10th anniversary of the agreement. Obviously, some problems continue, but the progress has been immense, because Catholics and Protestants are genuinely sharing power in Northern Ireland, and the peace process is now frequently cited as a model for achieving peace in other parts of the world.

On his historic visit to Ireland in 1963, another brother, John F Kennedy spoke of Ireland and the United States as two nations "divided by distance, united by history".

"No people ever believed more deeply in the cause of Irish freedom than the people of the United States," he said.

If John F Kennedy were here today, I'm sure he would agree that no two people are more committed than Barack Obama and Joe Biden to strengthening the ties that bind America and Ireland.

They are committed to a lasting peace in Northern Ireland, they are committed to restoring our respect and reputation in the world.

Irish Americans should be committed to them as well.

Jean Kennedy Smith was US Ambassador to Ireland from 1993 to 1998.

This article appeared in The Irish Times newspaper on Monday, October 6, 2008.

A letter from AOH President Seamus Boyle to Senator John McCain Regarding a Joke about the Irish

2008-09-26T14:05:00.000-07:00

September 23 2008

Dear Senator McCain,

Thank you for meeting with us on Monday September 22 in Scranton Pennsylvania to discuss our issues concerning the Irish American community. You did address the seven issues which we had given to you on a previous occasion and we were generally satisfied with your answers and your ideas to implement action on our behalf should you be elected in November. It was a great meeting but when you began your speech with a joke about the Irish, I and many of our fellow Irish Americans in the Ancient Order of Hibernians, were shocked. It was really an insult to a whole nationality to be stereotyped as drunks. The Irish are a jovial people who enjoy life, work hard, help the needy, support our community and our country yet get depicted as drunkards and partiers. As you stated in your speech yesterday the Irish have a great education and work ethic. Senator, I was not the only one offended and I received numerous complaints from a variety of people throughout Pennsylvania and other parts of the country. On behalf of these people, the Ancient Order of Hibernians and myself and my family, I wish you would refrain from demeaning the Irish or any other ethnic group by telling such jokes in the future. I think an apology is in order to those millions of Irish in the United States who were offended by your joke.

Sincerely,

Seamus Boyle
National President
Ancient Order of Hibernians in America

http://www.aoh.com/pages/presidents_letters/2008/pl_092308.html

Obama Promises to Appoint U.S. Envoy to Northern Ireland

2008-09-19T14:23:00.000-07:00

"Senator Obama has long said that, if elected president, he intends to invest the full weight of his office in the vital Irish peace process.

"After consultations with the members of his senior panel of advisers on Irish issues and informal soundings with British and Irish officials, Senator Obama has said that if he becomes president, he will appoint a senior envoy to Ireland who will build on the groundbreaking achievements of the Clinton Administration and help bring the historic process to final fruition."

Issued by the Obama Campaign on September 18, 2008.

McCain Was Wrong on Ireland

2008-09-18T08:24:00.000-07:00

By Congressman Richard E. Neal

Recently, Senator Barack Obama asked me join a distinguished group of leaders who will advise him on Irish-American affairs. As the Chairman of the Friends of Ireland in the U.S. House of Representatives, it was a great personal honor to be chosen to serve on this senior advisory panel.

I know both Senator Obama and Senator Joe Biden share my longstanding desire to strengthen Irish-American political, economic and cultural ties. And I am certain that an Obama administration will make the pursuit of permanent peace and stability in Northern Ireland a top priority, will enact comprehensive immigration reform that keeps America ’s doors open and will improve the quality of life of Irish-Americans; and will restore America ’s standing in the world.

Like many of us, Barack Obama and Joe Biden come from Irish stock. Senator Obama’s great, great, great grandfather on his mother’s side set sail from County Offaly in 1850, arriving in New York and eventually settling in Ohio.

Senator Biden, who was born in the Irish-American stronghold of Scranton, Pennsylvania, traces his ancestry to County Mayo. Since the 1980’s, Obama has lived and worked on the South Side of Chicago, a neighborhood known for its large and prominent Irish-American community. This experience has given him a first-hand account of the remarkable contributions made by Irish immigrants to the United States.

I strongly believe the peace process in Northern Ireland is one of the most significant foreign policy accomplishments in recent memory. And the role the United States played in that effort was indispensable.

The peace accord in Northern Ireland, based on principles developed by George Mitchell, should be viewed as a model for successful conflict resolution around the globe. I know that Senator Obama agrees, and the creation of the advisory panel is an indication of the commitment his administration will bring to securing lasting peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland.

Just last week, he welcomed the latest report of the Independent Monitoring Commission that concluded the IRA does not present a threat to peace or democratic politics in Northern Ireland. That report was another reminder that the sectarian conflict is now well and truly over.

But while Northern Ireland experiences a period of unprecedented transformation, progress needs to be made by the political parties on the outstanding issues such as the devolution of policing and justice powers. I am confident that as President Barack Obama will be an enthusiastic supporter of the historic power-sharing government. And I am thrilled that he has pledged to visit the island of Ireland during his administration.

By contrast, John McCain has spent years ridiculing and minimizing U.S. efforts to help resolve the Troubles. In an article in Foreign Affairs, he said President Clinton’s efforts were “romantic” and accused him of undertaking his tireless work for peace in order to curry favor with Irish Americans.

He criticized the decision to grant Gerry Adams a visa, a development now considered crucial to the success of the peace process. He claimed our role in Northern Ireland was severely damaging our relationship with Great Britain.

Yet in a speech before Congress in 2003, British Prime Minister Tony Blair publicly thanked America for its support of the peace process.

Quite simply, in the long march towards peace and stability in Northern Ireland, John McCain has been on the wrong side of history every step of the way.

Many people have now heard the inspiring story of how Barack Obama’s father came to the United States from Kenya on a student scholarship in the 1950s. On many occasions, Barack Obama has discussed how his father’s remarkable journey, and his own multi-ethnic family, have helped shape his view of the immigrant experience. As a result, he has developed a unique view of the “melting pot” that helps make America great.

While John McCain has shifted his position on immigration reform to appeal to his right wing base, Senator Obama has remained steadfast in his determination to fix a broken system. He attended a huge march in Chicago on behalf of immigration reform and played a leading role in drafting comprehensive immigration reform legislation. As President, he will forge a bi-partisan consensus to strengthen border security and fix the dysfunctional immigration bureaucracy.

And John McCain? He was for comprehensive immigration reform before he said he would vote against it.

Here in the United States, Irish-Americans are suffering through the economic downturn like everyone else. As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, I know Senator Obama will reverse the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy, tax cuts John McCain intends to preserve, and offer significant relief for working and middle class Americans.

He will enact an emergency economic plan to jump start the economy, provide a middle class tax cut of up to $1,000 for 95 percent of workers and their families, provide quality and portable health care coverage for every American, and offer a tax credit that will make college more affordable.

Whether it is immigration reform, the economy, energy policy or war and peace, the differences between Barack Obama and John McCain could not be more dramatic or profound. The Obama-Biden team is offering Americans an exciting blueprint for change while John McCain is running to give George W. Bush and his failed agenda four more years.

As Senator Obama said in Denver, this country has reached a defining moment in history. We either can look to the future with Barack Obama or return to the past with John McCain.

###

Congressman Richard E. Neal represents the second congressional district of Massachusetts.

This article appeared in the Irish Voice newspaper, September 18-24, 2008

Reflections on Barak Obama and the Irish Envoy

2008-09-10T13:39:00.004-07:00

By Michael P. Quinlin

Irish advocates across the United States should be reassured by presidential candidate Barak Obama’s statement on Ireland, Northern Ireland and Irish-America, which he released the week of the Democratic National Convention.

It was the fourth of five Irish statements Obama’s campaign has issued in the past year, and it addressed immigration reform, investment in the island of Ireland and keeping the peace in Northern Ireland.

It also included a welcomed shout-out to Irish-Americans, focusing on the domestic policies Obama hopes will help blue-collar ethnic communities across America.

You can read the entire statement here.

What drew some attention is Obama’s passage on the US Special Envoy position to Northern Ireland, which reads:

Barak Obama will consult with the Taoiseach, the British Prime Minister, and party leaders in Northern Ireland to determine whether a special U.S. envoy for Northern Ireland continues to be necessary or whether a senior administration official, serving as point person for Northern Ireland, would be most effective. As president, Barack Obama will personally engage on Irish issues whenever necessary.

I am encouraged by how this statement acknowledges the intricacies and nuances of Northern Ireland, and how it points to a fresh new approach to American foreign policy that has been sadly lacking these past eight years.

Barak Obama explicitly did not say that he would do away with the Special Envoy post, as some critics are unfairly suggesting. What he did say is that we need to evaluate the position to see how it serves the peace process.

Indeed, why shouldn’t a new president reach out to the people of Northern Ireland, to British and Irish government officials, and to party leaders? I would be happy if that brand of consensus-building becomes the hallmark of an Obama/Biden administration, not just in Northern Ireland but around the world.

But consensus-building is notably absent from the McCain campaign regarding this issue. Instead of consulting the people of Northern Ireland, as Obama would do, the McCain campaign is demanding that we automatically rubber stamp the Special Envoy position. End of conversation, no discussion needed.

It’s an unusual argument, given that Mr. McCain has not weighed in on the Special Envoy issue much over these past fourteen years. Now, some 50 days before the election, he wants it to be a permanent fixture in our foreign policy.

It’s also a faulty argument. The fact is the Special Envoy job has never been etched in stone, neither in definition, style, nor even in name. It is an evolving position that responds to the urgency of the moment in Northern Ireland, and to the priorities of the United States, especially after 9/11.

Over the past fourteen years, the United States has dispatched four Envoys to Northern Ireland – George Mitchell, Richard Haass, Mitchell Reiss, and Paula J. Dobriansky - spread across four terms of Democratic and Republican administrations.

President Bill Clinton first appointed George Mitchell in 1994, not as a Special Envoy, but as an Economic Envoy. Mitchell organized a successful White House Conference for Trade and Investment in May 1995, but it wasn’t until 1996 that Mitchell fully took on a Special Envoy role, heading up a three-man international commission to study the question of arms decommissioning.

Mitchell helped to usher in the 1998 Belfast Agreement, and many believe that may have been the high point of the Envoy role to date. Since then the other three envoys have done a commendable job keeping the peace process on track by essentially mediating and cajoling the people of Northern Ireland into governing themselves.

Paula J. Dobriansky is the current US Special Envoy, and has held the post since February 2007. By all accounts she is an outstanding public official and has carried out her tasks admirably. But she also has a much larger portfolio than just Northern Ireland.

As US Undersecretary for Democracy and Global Affairs, she is the point person on global human rights and labor; environment, oceans, health and science; population, refugees and migration; and women's issues. She is Special Coordinator on Tibetan Affairs, serving as a liaison between the Chinese and the Dalai Lama. This year alone Ambassador Dobriansky has been involved in Asian-Pacific Partnerships, US-India Global Issues, a Day of Solidarity with the Cuban People, and of course the US-Northern Ireland Investment Conference held in Belfast last May.

So, given the complexities and the range of American diplomatic issues in a post 9/11 world, Obama’s promise to evaluate the Irish Special Envoy post seems particularly timely and relevant. It will enhance everyone’s understanding of the position, not diminish it.

He has formed a Committee of our best Irish-American politicians to advise him. They include former Special Envoy George Mitchell, Senators Ted Kennedy, Chris Dodd and Patrick Leahy, Congressmen Richard Neal and Joe Crowley and Governor Martin O’Malley. Along with vice presidential candidate Joe Biden, these politicians have decades of experience on Northern Ireland and a genuine commitment to the peace process.

When I read Obama’s statement that he will “personally engage on Irish issues when necessary,” it reminded me of a younger Bill Clinton, whom many of us campaigned for during the 1992 and 1996 presidential campaigns. Bill Clinton made good on his promise, and I believe Obama will too.

Former Envoy George Mitchell agrees. In a comment published in this week's Irish Echo, Mitchell said, "I don't think there is much doubt that he (Obama) will in fact continue the recent practice of appointing a special representative to the position that I myself held. I don't think it's an issue. I think he will do that."

What I admire about the Obama/Biden approach is the tone of respect it seeks to establish toward the Irish-American community. Both men understand the intricacies of the world we live in, and are determined to keep the peace process moving forward, not just in Northern Ireland but across the world.

That’s good for the United States, and frankly, that must be the foremost concern of every American voter.

But it is also good for Northern Ireland. Obama’s approach bespeaks diplomacy and statesmanship to the core, and after all, isn’t that what the Special Envoy position is all about?

Statement by Congressman Joe Crowley (D-NY)

2008-09-09T14:41:00.000-07:00

"Senator Obama has surrounded himself with a group of advisors who have a long history of working to advance the Northern Ireland peace process and strengthening the U.S.-Irish relationship. I am proud to have been asked to serve on the panel, and I look forward to further engaging Barack on the issues that matter most to the Irish community, such as keeping in place the special U.S. envoy to Northern Ireland."

Statement by Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA)

2008-09-05T14:25:00.001-07:00

"Barack Obama will be an outstanding President for America and Irish America. He is firmly committed to strengthening not only the peace in Northern Ireland but also the deep ties that bind the American and Irish people. I am delighted to be a part of this Advisory Committee."

Statement by Congressman Richard E. Neal (D-MA)

2008-09-05T06:41:00.001-07:00

“I am honored that Senator Barack Obama would ask me to serve on such a distinguished committee. As Chairman of the Friends of Ireland in the House of Representatives, I have had the pleasure of working closely with virtually every member of the advisory panel for more than 30 years on U.S.-Ireland relations. Each one of us has developed a longstanding relationship with the Irish government and the political leaders in Northern Ireland. I know we all share a deep commitment to maintaining and building upon the extraordinary relationship that exists between the people of the United States and those on the island of Ireland. I look forward to working closely with Senator Obama, Senator Biden and my colleagues on the advisory panel on this critically important issue during the presidential campaign. And I am certain it will be a foreign policy priority in President Obama’s administration.”

Barack Obama forms Advisory Panel on Irish Issues

2008-09-05T06:37:00.000-07:00

(September 1, 2008) Senator Barack Obama today created a high level advisory panel on Irish issues, comprised of seven great American leaders who have built close ties with America’s historic partner and friend: Senator George Mitchell, Senator Chris Dodd, Senator Ted Kennedy, Senator Pat Leahy, Governor Martin O’Malley, Rep. Joe Crowley and Rep. Richard Neal. The advisory panel will complement outreach work already being led in this important community by Carol Wheeler, and the creation of the panel comes a week after Irish American Senator Joe Biden became the Democratic nominee for Vice President.

Ireland has been a trusted friend and cherished partner of the United States for many generations. When the Irish have landed on American shores, they have enriched the American spirit and helped fuel the U.S. economy. In recent years, Ireland has built an outstanding education system and transformed itself into an economically vibrant country that has inspired other nations. Northern Ireland’s example has also convinced millions of people living in violence and terror that peace is still possible -- through patience, political compromise, and tireless diplomacy.

Senator Obama has created this panel because as president he intends to do all the United States can do to help deepen the peace that so many have worked so hard to establish, and to strengthen U.S.-Irish cultural, educational, and trade ties, which are central to the identities of the United States and Ireland. “I am delighted to be able to call upon a ‘Dream Team’ of leaders who cherish the U.S.-Irish bond as I do,” said Senator Obama. “I look forward to putting in place policies that will fortify this indispensable relationship.”

- Issued by the Obama Campaign on September 1, 2008.

Why Irish-Americans Should Vote for Obama

2008-09-05T03:50:00.000-07:00

By Michael P. Quinlin

(Boston) – It doesn’t matter to me if Barak Obama can trace his Irish ancestry back to County Offaly. Or whether he marched in a recent St. Patrick’s Day parade, or whether he wears a shamrock on his lapel. And it shouldn’t matter to the Irish community in America either.

These are just incidentals that media pundits are grasping at to gauge Obama’s relationship with the Irish-American community.

To get a true measure of Obama’s stance on Irish issues, you need only refer to statements issued by his campaign over the past year. In those statements Obama has expressed support for issues important to Irish-American activists:

Ensuring that Northern Ireland continues to progress under the principles of the Belfast Agreement;
Continuing to develop trade and economic opportunities between the United States and Ireland and Northern Ireland as a way of strengthening cross-Atlantic partnerships; and
Calling for comprehensive immigration reform to correct the failures of America’s current policies, while seeking a fair and equitable solution for the twelve million illegal immigrants estimated to be in the United States.

These issues are distilled from the five-point Irish Agenda that was developed in 1992 by a group called Irish-Americans for Clinton Gore. I was part of that effort, and crisscrossed the country with my then-boss, Boston Mayor Ray Flynn and others on the presidential campaign in 1992 and 1996.

When he became president, Bill Clinton embraced the Irish Agenda, and by doing so the United States helped to usher in relative peace and prosperity throughout the island of Ireland. Hope and history did indeed rhyme in the 1990s, as Seamus Heaney knew.

Because of that progress, the Irish Agenda is not as pressing today as it once was, but the United States can continue to play a role, especially in regards to monitoring progress in Northern Ireland. I am gratified to know that Senator Obama publically supports these issues.

That said, it is important to emphasize that this presidential race is not about Ireland and the Irish. It is about the United States and Americans. That must be the focal point for anyone who is planning to vote this November.

I mention this because some pundits are still acting like its 1992. They’re trying to cast the choice between Barak Obama and John McCain as a referendum on which candidate embraces Irish issues most enthusiastically. It’s not about that.

Others are suggesting that voters in America’s heartland who happen to have Irish surnames might not vote for Obama because he hasn’t reached out to them as Irish-Americans. That is a ruse that I find offensive.

As someone born and raised in Pennsylvania, and having lived in Ohio, Alabama, California, New York and now Massachusetts in my adult life, I can tell you what Americans in the heartland with Irish surnames are thinking about.

It’s exactly what people with Polish, Chinese, Italian and Hispanic names are thinking.

They’re weighing up which candidate will best lead the United States over the next four to eight years. They’re considering which candidate has the best ideas for improving America’s economy, health care, education and environment. They’re deciding which candidate can best solve America’s problems having to do with war, immigration, race relations and energy resources.

And yes, they are looking for someone like John F. Kennedy who has the vision to lead our country in a manner that lives up to America’s enormous promise as a nation blessed with unparalleled opportunities, resources and freedoms.

It is inevitable that special interest groups play a role in American politics, and the Irish are no different in that regard. But I want to suggest that the times are different, certainly much different than they were in 1992, and Irish advocates need to keep this in mind.

In 2008, what matters more than ever is the well-being of our nation, the United States. There is a huge difference between Barak Obama and John McCain, and it doesn’t revolve around who is more Irish. It revolves around which candidate is best for America.

If Americans don’t get that right in this election, the whole world, including small countries like Ireland, will suffer in the long run.

Michael P. Quinlin is president of the Boston Irish Tourism Association and the author of the book Irish Boston.

- This article appeared in the Irish Echo newspaper, August 27-September 2, 2008.

Obama's Irish Statement Issued at Democratic National Convention

2008-09-05T02:30:00.000-07:00

“The determined optimism of the Irish people has enabled them to grab hold of hope in the United States, from South Boston to the south side of Chicago. It’s an optimism expressed in three issues so important to Irish Americans today: a lasting peace in Northern Ireland, an American immigration policy that keeps faith with our tradition of offering opportunity to those who seek it, and strong economic and cultural ties between our two nations.”

[Barack Obama, February 2007]

BARAK OBAMA: ON IRELAND, NORTHERN IRELAND AND IRISH AMERICA

Irish Ancestry: Barack Obama was delighted to learn last year that a maternal ancestor, Falmouth Kearney, emigrated to America from Ireland. Falmouth, Barack Obama’s great great great grandfather, left Moneygall, County Offaly, on a ship called Marmion. He arrived in New York on March 20, 1850, and first settled in Wayne, Fayette County, Ohio, joining relatives who had previously settled there.

Contribution of Irish Immigrants to America: Barack Obama recognizes the important contributions that generations of Irish Americans have made to the United States, many of which were written about in 1958 by then Senator John F. Kennedy in his book, A Nation of Immigrants. The Protestant Scots-Irish were some of the earliest American immigrants; they fought in our war for independence. Many Catholic immigrants fled Ireland’s Famine in the mid-19th century. They built our railroads and canals and contributed to society as influential political and labor leaders. The 38 million descendants of the Irish and Scots-Irish continue to serve our country and honor the sacrifices of their ancestors.

Supporting Irish Americans: Barack Obama understands that there is not a monolithic ‘Irish American’ vote. He appreciates the support of Irish Americans and, as president, will work with the Irish American community to stand up to special interests. He will bring America together to reclaim the American dream and restore America’s standing in the world. Obama will provide affordable, quality and portable health care coverage for every American that will save a typical American family up to $2,500 every year; enact an emergency economic plan to jumpstart the economy; help families offset some of the costs of filling up the gas tank and surging food prices; prevent the layoff of one million workers, and get our economy back on track; create a middle class tax cut of up to $1,000 for 95 percent of workers and their families; eliminate income taxes entirely for seniors making less than $50,000; make college affordable by providing a fully refundable tax credit that will ensure that the first $4,000 of a college education is completely free for most Americans. Barack Obama will achieve success in Iraq and bring the war to a responsible end.

Support a Lasting Peace in Northern Ireland: Barack Obama is committed to continuing U.S. support for solidifying the peace in Northern Ireland. He pays tribute to the work of many Americans in the peace process: Senator Ted Kennedy, for more than 35 years, has been the leader of Congressional support for peace in Northern Ireland. Along with Tony Lake, then national security adviser, and Jean Kennedy Smith, then Ambassador to Ireland, Senator Kennedy and others helped persuade President Clinton to grant Gerry Adams a visa to visit the United States in 1994 because they believed it could contribute to the efforts for peace. President Bill Clinton’s commitment, persistence, and personal involvement were crucial to achieving the Good Friday Agreement. Senator George Mitchell’s tireless work and unceasing patience in chairing the negotiations resulted in the Agreement; he often persevered when others would have given up. First Lady Hillary Clinton encouraged the women of Northern Ireland to participate in the political process; as a U.S. Senator, she has continued her strong commitment and helped advance that process. Numerous other members of Congress have devoted their time and attention to the cause of peace in Northern Ireland. And countless private individuals and organizations, including community leaders, labor leaders and business leaders all played significant roles in achieving peace.

In early 2007, Barack Obama noted that the IRA had abandoned violence and arms and Sinn Fein had voted to support the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). He called on the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) to take the next step outlined in the St. Andrews Agreement and create a power-sharing executive so Northern Ireland could continue the process of peace that its people so clearly wish to follow.

In March 2007, Barack Obama welcomed the power sharing agreement reached between the DUP and Sinn Fein, which led to the creation of a devolved government in Northern Ireland in May. He lauded the first faceto- face meeting between Gerry Adams and Ian Paisley, Sr. and welcomed the news that, Reverend Paisley, who would become the First Minister in the Assembly, would be having a series of meetings with Martin McGuinness, who would become the Deputy First Minister.

In April 2008, Barack Obama welcomed the 10-year anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, observing that neither the work for peace nor our responsibility to help achieve it ended with the Agreement. He reiterated his call for the devolution of justice and policing and noted the need for reconciliation so that Northern Ireland's people can live together as neighbors instead of being segregated by “peace walls.” Obama recognizes that the Bush Administration continued to support this process, which ultimately resulted in the establishment of the Assembly that the people of Northern Ireland have today.

On St. Patrick’s Day, Barack Obama spoke with then Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern and reiterated his strong commitment that his Administration will be a good friend of Ireland and Northern Ireland. He congratulated the Taoiseach on the tremendous progress made in Northern Ireland over the past year with the establishment of the Assembly and the Executive. They discussed the outlook for the future of Northern Ireland and Barack Obama raised the issue of the devolution of justice and policing, which he said he hoped would occur very soon.

Barack Obama understands that U.S. attention and support will be required to solidify the peace. But he also recognizes that the crisis period for Northern Ireland has passed and that the people of Northern Ireland are now in charge of their own destiny. He will consult with the Taoiseach, the British Prime Minister, and party leaders in Northern Ireland to determine whether a special U.S. envoy for Northern Ireland continues to be necessary or whether a senior administration official, serving as point person for Northern Ireland, would be most effective. As president, Barack Obama will personally engage on Irish issues whenever necessary.

Barack Obama will continue the tradition of welcoming the Irish Prime Minister to the White House on St. Patrick’s Day, and he intends to visit Ireland as president.

Support for Comprehensive Immigration Reform: Barack Obama will pursue comprehensive immigration reform that keeps open the doors of opportunity in our country. His father’s experience has informed his own views on the issue, and he has seen the enormous contributions that Irish immigrants have made to this country. In 2006, Obama marched in Chicago, IL, on behalf of immigration reform, walking shoulder to shoulder with many Irish Americans who shared their own personal stories of hope and opportunity. Barack Obama has played a leading role in crafting comprehensive immigration reform and believes that our broken immigration system can only be fixed by putting politics aside and offering a solution that strengthens our security while reaffirming our heritage as a nation of immigrants. His plan will strengthen border security, fix the dysfunctional immigration bureaucracy, and secure a responsible path to earned citizenship for undocumented workers and their families.

Support a Changing Relationship with a Changed Ireland: The ties between America and Ireland go far beyond bloodlines. U.S. investment in Ireland helped create the Celtic Tiger, and Ireland’s economic success in turn led to a boom in Irish investment in the United States. Incalculable cultural, educational, and business exchanges draw us together, as do common causes and common beliefs.

Barack Obama knows that Ireland has changed dramatically in the last fifteen years, and for the better. Northern Ireland does not require our daily attention, and as Ireland is now one of the wealthiest countries in the world, it is natural that our relationship will evolve accordingly. Prime Minister Cowen clearly recognizes this as well, and Barack Obama welcomes the Taoiseach’s recent call for a review of Ireland-U.S. relations. Barack Obama looks forward to building on this important relationship in a way that treats the Irish as the full partners that they are.

- Issued by the Obama Campaign on August 25, 2008.

- See previous Obama statements at:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/samgrahamfelsen/gGBK4t

http://www.barackobama.com/2008/04/09/obama_statement_on_10year_anni.php