TAOISEACH (Prime Minister) Bertie Ahern ended his 11-year reign as leader of
the Republic of Ireland on a high note with an address to the Joint Houses of
Congress last Wednesday.
“After decades of conflict, I am so proud to be the first Irish leader
to inform the United States Congress that Ireland is at peace,” he told
assembled leaders. This statement alone prompted a three-minute standing ovation
from the packed room.
Members of both the House and the Senate, members of President George W. Bush’s
Cabinet and top military officers joined family, friends and colleagues of Ahern
in a standing ovation as he entered Congress chambers to carry out one final
act on the world stage.
Ahern, who officially resigned on Tuesday, May 6 amid growing speculation surrounding
financial discrepancies, was invited to address the Joint Session of congress
by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in recognition of his work with the Irish peace
process.
In his address, titled “Ireland and America - Our Two Republics,”
Ahern spoke about Ireland’s past, its aspirations for the future and quoted
poetry inscribed on the Statue of Liberty from Emma Lazarus to create a mix
of topics that were obviously appreciated by both senators and representatives
alike.
Ahern specifically highlighted the important role Irish America played in the
peace process. He also made a case for the Irish undocumented immigrants, spoke
proudly about the Irish involvement in the European Union and praised the U.S.
on a number of issues.
Ahern, the first Irish leader to address both the joint British House of Lords
and Commons and the U.S. Congress in the same year, was accompanied by members
of his government, including Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern and Minister
for Transport Noel Dempsey as well as various friends and family members, including
his daughter, acclaimed author Cecelia Ahern.
Ahern, who has been leader of Ireland since 1997, followed in the footsteps
of his predecessor John Bruton who addressed the Congress in 1996.
Bruton, now European Union ambassador to the U.S., told reporters “a lot
has changed” since his tenure as taoiseach. “It’s really fantastic
that the taoiseach can stand in front of Congress today and take immense pride
in the peace process,” he said.
Ahern spoke proudly about the peace in Northern Ireland and reminded his audience
that the Good Friday Agreement is currently celebrating its 10th year of success
and that the U.S. played a pivotal role in the process.
“Our dream, and the dream of all of the friends of Ireland in America
and across the world, has come true. To you, to your predecessors and to all
of the American leaders from both sides of the aisle who have traveled with
us, we offer our heartfelt gratitude,” he said, describing the Irish American
leaders who contributed to the peace process as “true champions of peace.”
“When we needed true friends, when we needed inspiration, we found them
here. We found them among you.”
He continued, “We also recognize the steadfast support of President Bush,
of President Clinton, their administrations, their envoys and of their predecessors
and for us the great Senator George Mitchell.”
On the Irish American relationship, Ahern told his audience, “America
and Ireland have something that goes beyond a friendship between countries.
To be an Irishman among Americans is to be at home.”
Ahern also made a plea to Congress on behalf of the Irish undocumented living
in the U.S.
“We hope you will be able to find a solution to their plight that would
enable them to regularize their status and open to them a path to permanent
residency.
“On this great issue of immigration to both our shores, let us resolve
to make the fair and rational choices, the practical and decent decisions, so
that in future people will look back and say, ‘They chose well,’”
he said.
Ahern also expressed hope that the people of Ireland will vote in favor of the
Lisbon Treaty to reform the European Union on June 12.
“Soon, the Irish people will vote on a new reform treaty that aims to
make the European Union work even more effectively, both internally and in the
wider world. I trust in their wisdom to support and to believe in Europe, as
they always have,” he said.
On the future of the European Union he said, “It is profoundly encouraging
that we are seeing the members of the European Union continuing to rise together
as a force for development, for stability, for peace in the world.”
Touching on the travesty of 9/11, Ahern told his audience that it was one of
the most “terrible, evil events” in the history of the world and
it would be a day “etched into the memory of all humanity.”
Ahern made mention of all the Irish American people who died on the day. “The
names on the casualty list of terrorist attacks included Boyle, Crotty, Collins,
Murphy, McSweeney and O’Neill — the names of our families and our
friends, the names of our nation,” he said. The Taoiseach echoed the words
of President Kennedy in 1961 to conclude his speech by saying, “In history,
in politics and in life there are no ends, only beginnings. Let us begin.”
After his address, Ahern told reporters that Ireland and the U.S. always had
a great friendship, and after seeing the amount of U.S. lawmakers that lined
out for his speech.
“It’s a proud day for Ireland and a nice day for me,” he said.