Aumua invited by President Bush to attend Shamrock Ceremony with Ireland’s Prime Minster
March 17, 2007
St. Patrick’s Day
THE WHITE HOUSE, WASHINGTON, D.C. Aumua Amata was invited by the White House to attend the Shamrock Ceremony in the Roosevelt Room Friday with Prime Minister Bertie Ahern of Ireland. In a ceremony to symbolize in a very special way the bonds between the Irish and American people, the PM presented a bowl of Irish shamrocks to President Bush who thanked him for his strong leadership in resolving the issues of Northern Ireland and reiterated that he stands ready to help. Following the ceremony the White House held a reception with an elaborate of food and beverages to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day.
Said Amata, “Although the United States and Ireland are countries that contrast each other in different ways, their peoples are linked in a unique way. Through the Shamrock Ceremony, both peoples were saluted to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day as well as the many contributions of Irish people who helped build America. Ireland today enjoys peace and success and it has been a long journey to make it a reality.”
Prime Minister Ahern stated that in order to achieve the Northern Ireland peace, his country has been able to count on the United States as a true partner and generous friend. He added that America has stood with Ireland at all times, helped her peace and contributed enormously to her economic success and therefore, it is a moment to celebrate and say thank you.
In accepting the shamrocks, President Bush jokingly told the Prime Minister that Saint Patrick’s Day brings together two distinct groups of Americans: those with Irish descent and those who wish they were. Said Bush, “Whether they’re Irish today or every day, Americans are grateful for our Nation’s Irish heritage and the enduring friendship that exists between Ireland and the United States is strong.” The President quoted President George Washington, referring to him as ‘the first George W’ which brought laughter, who, in 1783 wrote to recent Irish immigrants in New York that “America is open to receive the oppressed and persecuted of all nations,” and he expressed his wish that the blessings of equal liberty and unrestrained commerce would one day prevail in Ireland.
Aumua Amata concluded by saying, “Speaking as a proud Samoan with a wee bit of Irish heritage, it was truly an honor and I thank the President for including me. The will of the people in Ireland is unmistakable and undeniable and in last week’s election in Northern Ireland, they gave a clear and strong signal. And on St. Patrick’s Day 2007 the emigration from Ireland over the centuries which brought to these shores that proud Irish heritage is widely and embraced. I am humbled that the President invited me to be part of this ceremony at the White House.”