Madam, – As we in the United States celebrate Memorial Day, it is an appropriate time to recall the wonderful gifts of the late taoiseach Garret FitzGerald, a valued associate of my Dad, the former Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Thomas P “Tip” O’Neill, Jr.
Modest and brilliant, Garret was a breath of fresh air working on behalf of the Republic of Ireland and peace in Northern Ireland. His innovative ideas to achieve peace and prosperity on the island of Ireland were welcomed in the United States. From the initiation of the Forum to the signing of the Anglo-Irish Accord, he was applauded in the United States for his unstinting efforts on behalf of Ireland.
Thus, Dad was most attendant when Garret came to the United States in 1985 to ask for US support for the accord in the form of the establishment of the International Fund for Ireland (IFI). Dad, with other Irish-Americans in the Congress, was eager to assist with a programme that would put men and women to work in Northern Ireland and the Border counties.
Over the last quarter century,many, many thousands went to work on IFI projects under this dynamic programme to promote development in economically fragile regions. What a wonderful legacy for two men who so loved Ireland.
At a St Patrick’s Day event in 1986 honouring Dad’s retirement from Congress after 34 years, the taoiseach presented Dad and Mom with one of their greatest honours – Irish citizenship. I can well remember the stunned reaction of the thousand people in the audience as Garret announced this magnificent honour for my parents.
Thoughtful and kind, Garret, along with intrepid and equally brilliant wife, Joan, are remembered with great affection by the O’Neill family in the United States. – Yours, etc,