NEW YORK HONOUR FOR GERRY ADAMS
Louth TD Gerry Adams was the ‘Honoured Guest’ at the annual St Patrick’s Day breakfast held last week by New York Mayor Bill de Blasio.
The Mayor presented the Belfast native with a framed proclamation at a ceremony at his official residence in Gracie Mansion.
Adams was praised for his role in the peace process, but the NYC mayor also said he was honouring the Louth TD for ‘ his life-long pursuit of the goal that makes so much sense, the goal of a united Ireland.’
Mr de Blasio said Mr Adams will be remembered by history as ‘one of the people who did something truly heroic, who found a path to peace where others could not envision it.’
Speaking at the event Gerry Adams wished his audience a happy St Patrick’s Day, thanked Mayor de Blasio and praised the support and solidarity of Irish America for peace in Ireland over many generations.
‘I am very pleased to be the Honoured Guest at Mayor de Blasio‘s annual St Patrick’s Day breakfast celebration.’
‘Lá Féile Pádraig is an opportunity each year to thank Irish America and to reaffirm the strong bonds between Ireland and that very important part of the Irish diaspora.
Irish America has never lost sight of Ireland and the desire for peace and independence, and it continues to be as supportive of this today as in previous generations.’
The Louth TD added: ‘ The Irish in New York are especially proud of their roots and of the enormous contribution they have made to building the United States of America. I want to thank all of you for your support and I look forward to that support continuing in the time ahead as we secure and win a referendum on Irish unity.’