WASHINGTON, D.C. — It’s a long time since Easter 1916 was invoked
in the U.S. Congress, but Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Bertie Ahern did just that
last Wednesday, April 30.
The retiring taoiseach was on his victory lap of the U.S., and a Joint Session
of Congress had been arranged for him.
Up until recent years the legacy of Easter 1916 and the Irish uprising was a deeply
disputed one. Opponents of the IRA campaign claimed that the Rising had given
their cause spurious legitimacy. Supporters stated it was Ireland’s foundation
legacy, the very touchstone around which the modern state was built.
Until Ahern reinstituted the annual 1916 march and commemoration in 2006, the
numbers who feared to speak about Easter week was far greater than those who wanted
to remember it.
Easter 1916 was finally put back in its correct place atop the pantheon of Irish
history by Ahern’s remarks in Washington.
He quoted the most remarkable passage in the proclamation: “The Re-public
guarantees religious and civil liberty, equal rights and equal opportunities to
all its citizens, and declares its resolve to pursue the happiness and prosperity
of the whole nation and all its parts, cherishing all the children of the nation
equally.”
The words are resonant of the Declaration of Independence, especially on the pursuit
of happiness. They also place in perspective the remarkable vision of Ireland’s
founders as surely as the Declaration of Independence did for Jefferson and Washington
and all the others.
Ahern’s speech captured the new moment perfectly, and by making it before
the great institutions created by the American founders he gave the men of Easter
1916 even greater legitimacy.
Last Wednesday was also Ahern’s last hurrah in the U.S, and a number of
American politicians had turned up to wish him Godspeed.
The great chamber of the House of Representatives was full and Irish leaders of
our era — Senator Edward Kennedy, Senator Patrick Leahy, Congressmen Pete
King, Ritchie Neal and Jim Walsh among them — had turned up to say farewell
to one of the most popular Irish politicians ever on this side of the Atlantic.
It was a moment to savor, especially for those American politicians like Kennedy
who had played such a massive role in helping bring peace to Ireland.
For decades the leaders of Ireland had appealed for more time and patience and
American help to bring peace to the troubled island. Throughout, Ted Kennedy above
all held the hand of welcome out and strived to help as much as he could. There
were many setbacks along the way, but Kennedy was always a beacon light to keep
hope alive.
Now here, at last, was an Irish leader announcing mission accomplished. Little
wonder that Kennedy in particular seemed jubilant on this day. His decision to
bring a full court press on the Gerry Adams visa back in 1994 request played a
huge role in the American part in the peace process.
Press reports in Ireland bemoaned the fact that the number of elected representatives
present at the Joint Session to hear Ahern talk was not greater.
The fact is that most sessions are similar in that very many politicians avoid
them and leave it to staffers to fill their places. I remember a similar scenario
when former Irish leader John Bruton had the same honor in 1996.
It hardly mattered anyway as Ahern delivered a stem-winder of a speech that had
at the heart of it the statement that for the first time an Irish leader could
stand in the well of the House and announce that there was peace in Ireland.
It was a simple but profound statement, and its reality was not lost on those
present. They leaped to their feet and applauded a man who had done as much as
any to make it a reality.
Ahern also mentioned the plight of the undocumented Irish in America, and received
a scolding later that day on the nightly anti-immigrant rant hosted by Lou Dobbs
on CNN. Ahern should wear it as a badge of honor.
Though he is now gone from power, it is unlikely Ahern will be forgotten. He is
still a young man in political terms, just 56, and there are rumors of major job
offers, including a possible role as Europe’s first ever-elected president.
Whatever he does, he will hardly surpass the role he played in bringing peace
to Ireland. Last week America paid the respect due to this peacemaker.