Irish Americans for Obama Biden

  During   Irish-American Heritage Month , we honor our Irish ancestors, all those who carry on their legacies, and the values that have always bound Ireland and the United States together.  These values — including determination, decency, and dignity — have been passed down from generation to generation in families like my own and have been grafted into the American character. Last year, I had the honor of visiting the home of some of my Irish ancestors, including the Blewitts of County Mayo and the Finnegans of County Louth. As I traveled across Ireland, I learned the true meaning of the Gaelic expression, “a hundred thousand welcomes.” I was reminded that everything between Ireland and America runs deep — from our history and sorrow to our future and joy. But more than anything, hope is what beats in the hearts of all of our people.  For centuries — even during times of darkness and despair — hope has kept us marching forward toward a better future. It is what led...

  "I welcome and strongly support the restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly at Stormont, and I commend the political leaders of Northern Ireland for taking the necessary steps to restore these core institutions. As I said when I visited Belfast last year to mark the 25 th  anniversary of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, the democratic institutions it established remain critical for the future of Northern Ireland, and a government that finds ways through hard problems together will draw even greater opportunity to Northern Ireland. I look forward to seeing the renewed stability of a power-sharing government that strengthens the peace dividend, restores public services, and continues building on the immense progress of the last decades. This is an important step, and I am confident that through consistent dialogue and ongoing cooperation with both the United Kingdom and Ireland, Stormont’s restoration will facilitate the critical North-South and East-West ...

On Friday, January 5, 2024, President Joe Biden gave a speech at Montgomery County Community College in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, on the eve of the 3rd anniversary of the January 6 attack of the Capitol Building in Washington, DC. He recalled the winter of 1777, when the embattled Continental Army marched to Valley Forge during the American Revolution. "General George Washington knew he faced the most daunting of tasks: to fight and win a war against the most powerful empire that existed in the world at the time. His mission was clear. Liberty, not conquest. Freedom, not domination. National independence, not individual glory. America made a vow. Never again would we bow down to a king. "Today, we gather in a new year, some 246 years later, just one day before January 6th, a day forever shared in our memory because it was on that day that we nearly lost America — lost it all. "Today, we’re here to answer the most important of questions. Is democracy still America’...

U.S. Special Envoy to Northern Ireland for Economic Affairs Joseph P. Kennedy, III , today announced the first four members of his business delegation to Northern Ireland, which will take place October 24 to 26, 2023. Members of the delegation will include: The Honorable Thomas P. DiNapoli, Comptroller, State of New York Mark Hartney, Breakthrough Energy Ventures John Murphy, President and Chief Financial Officer, The Coca-Cola Company Tim Sweeney, President and Chief Executive Officer, Liberty Mutual Insurance The delegation will engage with a wide range of business leaders in Northern Ireland, including employers who have started or grown operations over the past 25 years. Special Envoy Kennedy’s travel follows President Biden’s announcement of the delegation in April during his remarks at Belfast’s Ulster University. The trip will highlight progress made in the 25 years since the signing of the Belfast / Good Friday Agreement, and the important role U.S. investors have made in pres...

  A Proclamation America is more than a place; it is an idea. It is the idea that everyone is created equal and deserves to be treated equally throughout their lives and that everyone should have a fair shot and an equal chance to get ahead. That is what has drawn people to our shores for centuries. It is what makes us who we are. And that very idea of America has been advanced by immigrants from every part of the world—my ancestors and yours. Their dreams built America, and during National Immigrant Heritage Month, we celebrate their courage. The First Lady and I are proud descendants of immigrants—the Giacoppas, from the northeast corner of Sicily in Italy, and the Finnegans of County Louth and the Blewitts of County Mayo in Ireland. Vice President Harris was born in Oakland, California, to parents who emigrated from India and Jamaica. Like so many who still come here seeking a better future, our parents and great-grandparents could not be sure what life would bring. But they had...

  President Joe Biden announced his intention to run for reelection in 2024. In a video released on April 25, President Biden said, "When I ran for president four years ago, I said, “We’re in a battle for the soul of America,” and we still are. The question we’re facing is whether in the years ahead, we have more freedom or less freedom.  More rights are fewer. I know what I want the answer to be, and I think you do too. This is not a time to be complacent.  See full video here : "That’s why I’m running for reelection; because I know America. I know we’re good and decent people. I know we’re still a country that believes in honesty and respect, in treating each other with dignity. That we’re a nation where we give hate no safe harbor. We believe that everyone is equal, that everyone should be given a fair shot to succeed in this country. Thank you for choosing us." For updates and details go to JoeBiden.com . 

Ireland's Taoiseach Leo Varadka and U.S President Joe Biden, photo courtesy of the White House PRESIDENT BIDEN: Well, Happy Saint Patrick’s Day, everyone. It’s great to see you all here. And last year, because of the pandemic, the Taoiseach and I had to hold our meeting virtually. How you doing, pal? We got all the Irish here today. (Laughter.) And this is the first year we’ve had to make some last-minute adjustments as well. Sadly, the Taoiseach and Ms. Martin are not able to join us today, but they both sent their love and their message for this occasion. And I spoke with the Taoiseach at length this morning, and we had a virtual meeting — bilateral meeting. He is feeling well. And I share his disappointment that we weren’t able to have our meetings in person as we had planned. This year marks the 70th year of Ireland sending shamrocks to the White House and — to celebrate the friendship between our nations and the bond — the bond that has been strengthened by generation...

US President Joe Biden has proclaimed March 2023 as Irish-American Heritage Month in the nation, and calls upon Americans to "celebrate the achievements and contributions of Irish Americans to our Nation with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs." Read the full proclamation below or read it here "During Irish-American Heritage Month, I think of my great-great grandparents — the Blewitts of County Mayo and the Finnegans of County Louth. Like so many other Irish immigrants who sought a new beginning in the United States, they arrived on our shores with hearts full of hope and dreams of the future. With grit and determination, they worked hard. And as they built their lives, they helped build America — never forgetting where they came from, always remembering the courage and pride they brought with them from the old country, and passing these traits down to each new generation. "That pride lives on today in the hearts of Irish Americans across our Natio...

Congressman Richard Neal  WASHINGTON, DC--Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released the following statement on the agreement reached by the European Union and the United Kingdom regarding the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland, the Windsor Framework: “Today’s agreement is the result of constructive, continued engagement by the EU and the UK in search of joint solutions. I appreciate the steadfast commitment and compromise by both sides to find common ground to resolve the trade frictions related to the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland. Ahead of the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, now is the time to protect the hard-earned gains of the Agreement, and to deepen EU-UK cooperation and partnership for generations to come.”

"Today’s announcement between the United Kingdom and the European Union on the Windsor Framework is an essential step to ensuring that the hard-earned peace and progress of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement is preserved and strengthened. I appreciate the efforts of the leaders and officials on all sides who worked tirelessly to find a way forward that protects Northern Ireland’s place within the UK’s internal market as well as the EU’s single market, to the benefit of all communities in Northern Ireland.  "I am confident the people and businesses of Northern Ireland will be able to take full advantage of the economic opportunities created by this stability and certainty, and the United States stands ready to support the region’s vast economic potential. Joe Kennedy , our new Special Envoy to Northern Ireland for Economic Affairs, will drive this effort in close cooperation with Ambassador Jane Hartley in London and Ambassador Claire Cronin in Dublin, as well as with business...

 Congressman Bill Keating  On Thursday, January 12, 2023,  Massachusetts Congressman Bill Keating introduced House Resolution 33, c alling for the full implementation of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement and expressing hope for the continued success of the Northern Ireland peace process on the 25th anniversary of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement.   Congressman Keating was joined fellow congressmen Mike Fitzpatrick, Brendan Boyle and Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania, Joe Wilson of South Carolina, Derek Kilmer of Washington and David Rouzer of North Carolina.  Here is the text of the resolution. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 12, 2023 Mr.  Keating  (for himself, Mr.  Fitzpatrick , Mr.  Boyle  of Pennsylvania, Mr.  Kelly  of Pennsylvania, Mr.  Wilson  of South Carolina, and Mr.  Kilmer ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs RESOLUTION Calling for the f...

(December 19, 2022) - Today, the Biden Administration named Joe Kennedy III of Massachusetts as the new U.S. Special Envoy to Northern Ireland for Economic Affairs.   The son of Joseph Kennedy II and Sheila Rauch, he was born in 1980 in Boston and attended Harvard Law School.  He served as U.S. Congressman for Massachusetts' 4th congressional district from 2013 to 2021.   The appointment ended months of speculation and calls from the Irish-American community, including the  Ancient Order of Hibernians  and others, to fill the important position.     Secretary of State Anthony J. Blinken  said in a  statement :    "Today we are announcing the appointment of Joe Kennedy III as the U.S. Special Envoy to Northern Ireland for Economic Affairs. In this capacity, he will focus on advancing economic development and investment opportunities in Northern Ireland to the benefit of all communities as well as strengthening people-to-peo...

  President Biden's Achievements Inspire Irish Americans to vote Democrat in November As millions of Irish Americans prepare to vote in this year's midterm elections, we are grateful that President Joe Biden, the most Irish American President since JFK, has worked so hard for Irish Americans. For example: The president and his Administration are resolutely supporting peace in Ireland and defending the Good Friday Agreement. Crucially, the friends of Ireland in Congress have fully backed the President in playing a positive role to protect peace and justice in Ireland, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Chairman Richie Neal, Rep. Brendan Boyle, Senator Bob Menedez, Senator Chris Murphy, and hundreds of other U.S. lawmakers. The President is working tirelessly to repair, restore, and heal America. He is uniting this great country in defense of fr...