Statement of Congressman Richard E. Neal on West Belfast’s Cultural Economy Conference and the Role of US Investment in NI
The IAUC is pleased to share the following statement from Congressman Richard E. Neal, Chairman of the Friends of Ireland, in support of West Belfast’s Cultural Economy Conference. IAUC President Kate McCabe will be participating in the important event:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 7, 2008
CONTACT: William Tranghese (202) 225-5601
STATEMENT OF CONGRESSMAN RICHARD E. NEAL
CHAIRMAN OF THE FRIENDS OF IRELAND
ON THE CULTURAL ECONOMIC CONFERENCE
AND THE ROLE OF U.S. INVESTMENT
IN NORTHERN IRELAND(WASHINGTON) The following is a statement issued today by Congressman Richard E. Neal, Chairman of the Friends of Ireland in the U.S. House of Representatives, on the Cultural Economic Conference in West Belfast and the role of U.S. investment in Northern Ireland.
“On the first anniversary of the historic return of the power-sharing institutions, I would like to extend my personal greetings and best wishes to the participants of the Cultural Economy Conference in West Belfast. Having been a regular visitor to West Belfast for nearly 20 years, I am very aware of the long and distinguished history of that community. I have many close friends from West Belfast, including Gerry Adams and Bairbre de Brun, and those relationships are stronger than ever. In fact, I look forward to visiting with them and the people of West Belfast at the end of the month.
As someone whose ancestors were from Ireland, I am a strong supporter of the use and promotion of the Irish language. I know how important it is to the local culture, and I appreciate what the language means to so many people across the island of Ireland. As a result, I am confident that the Cultural Economy Conference will succeed in its worthwhile effort to preserve and promote the Irish language in the 21st Century.
As Chairman of the Friends of Ireland in the United States House of Representatives, I also want to mention the major investment conference that is currently underway in Belfast. More than 100 senior American business executives have traveled north to participate in this important event. They recognize the potential for economic growth that now exists. And their visit serves as another reminder that Northern Ireland is a society in the process of unprecedented transformation.
I was very pleased when the New York City Comptroller announced in April that he was investing $150 million in the Emerald Infrastructure Development Fund. This unprecedented action represents the largest public investment in Northern Ireland from the United States. I am strongly encouraging others from both the public and private sector to do the same.
But I also hope that these historic investments are done in a fair and equitable manner. To help underpin the peace process, the peace dividend must benefit the people and communities that need help the most. As we enter this new era of peace, prosperity and equality, I will continue to tell my colleagues in the United States that Northern Ireland is now open for business. But I will also remind them that investing in a shared future must be done fairly, equitably and justly. Thank you very much.”
Latest Posts
