For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
March 16, 2001
Remarks by the President and Prime Minister Bertie Ahern During Shamrock Presentation
The Roosevelt Room
10:36 A.M. EST
THE PRIME MINISTER: Mr. President
and First Lady, on behalf of the government and the people of Ireland,
I wish you all and all the distinguished guests that are here, a very
happy St. Patrick's Day. It's a particular pleasure to be
here, with you, on your first St. Patrick's Day as President of the
United States.
Today is one of celebration. In
Ireland and throughout the world, Irish people of all traditions and
religions come together on St. Patrick's Day, to honor their native
land and their shared heritage. We are joined by many
millions of Irish decent, especially here in the United States. And we
are happy to welcome those who just want the privilege of being Irish
for the day. (Laughter.)
Today we also remember St. Patrick,
himself. We remember that he first came to Ireland as an
exile in a strange land. We think of those around the world
who, today, find themselves in the same predicament. And we
think of all those, who on leaving our shores, found a new home here,
in America. In building a better future for themselves and
their children, they also helped to build America, itself.
Mr. President, the deep bonds between our two
nations go beyond the ties of family and heritage. We share
a commitment to freedom, democracy and human rights. As a
current member of the Security Council of the United Nations, we're
working intensely with you to promote these values across the world.
Our economic and commercial links have never
been stronger. The United States is poised to become, for
the first time ever, Ireland's largest trading
partner. American investors find in Ireland a rewarding
economic environment, shaped by our commitment to education and to
enterprise.
For many years now, Americans of both parties
in the administration and Congress and in the states and cities across
this great country have supported efforts to achieve a lasting and a
comprehensive political settlement in Ireland. As the
British and Irish governments and the political parties now work
together to complete the implementation of the Good Friday Agreements,
it is good to be able to count on true friends.
I thank you, President, for your warm words of
encouragement, and for your continued and strong commitment to
assisting us in our vital task. And we deeply appreciate the words
that you said yesterday on Capitol Hill.
Mr. President, though it's a simple plant, the
shamrock is richly symbolic. It was used by St. Patrick to
explain how three persons might exist in one God. More
recently, it has come to illustrate the concept of unity and diversity,
which sums up both the American experience and our enduring hopes for
peace and reconciliation in Ireland. And I present it to you
today as a symbol of the unique ties which draw our two nations
together.
Thank you, Mr.
President. (Applause.)
THE PRESIDENT: Taoiseach, thank you
very much, sir. We're so honored you're
here. Laura and I welcome you, and welcome our
guests. Thank you all for coming. We accept this
crystal of shamrocks not just as a symbol of Ireland, but as a symbol
of a strong friendship between our nations, our shared values and
shared history and shared hopes. Thank you for continuing
this St. Patrick's Day tradition. And we really appreciate
this wonderful gift.
But St. Patrick's Day is also a time for
everyone to reflect on Ireland's many gifts to the world. We
are thankful, first, for all that Ireland and the Prime Minister have
done to further the cause of peace in Northern
Ireland. There's an Irish expression, "the work praises the
man." The peace that holds today in Northern Ireland is no small
measure a tribute to the Prime Minister and his courageous
leadership. And I assured him, and will continue to do so,
that the United States stands ready to help in any way that the
governments involved need.
The world is also thankful for the thousands
of peacekeepers Ireland sends to other troubled corners of the globe,
everywhere from Kosovo to East Timor. And we're thankful for
the generous development aid Ireland sends to the world's poorest
nations.
But Ireland's most precious gift to the world
has been the Irish. No nation has benefited more from Irish
talent and industry than the United States. You've given us
presidents, nine signers of the Declaration of
Independence. In fact, so many Irish served as volunteers in
the Continental Army, a Lord in Parliament lamented, we have lost
America to the Irish. (Laughter.)
Today, over 44 million Irish-Americans
reinforce the natural bonds of friendship between our
nations. The United States is proud of our strong ties of
trade and investment, and proud that they have contributed to the
strong economy that you have led. We look forward to working
even more closely with Ireland, particularly now that it serves on the
U.N. Security Council.
According to legend, St. Patrick returned to
Ireland after hearing the Irish people beckon him in a dream, to come
and walk among us once more. Well, today, it is a world that beckons
the Irish to continue walking among us, and sharing with us the rich
culture, the large hearts and good works.
So Mr. Prime Minister, America is proud to
call Ireland a friend, not just on St. Patrick's Day, but on every
day. Welcome. (Applause.)
END
10:42 A.M. EST
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