Key Congressman signs on as Congressional Friend of Irish National Caucus

Posted by Jim on May 11, 2019

Congressman Alcee Hastings, new Chairman of Helsinki Commission, demonstrates Irish solidarityCAPITOL HILL. Tuesday, May 7, 2019—— Since 1982, the Capitol Hill-based Irish National Caucus has had many, manyCongressional Friends—Members of Congress who have in writing expressed support for the Caucus’ non-violent work for justice and peace in Ireland and ( since 1998)  for continued United States support for the Irish Peace Process.
The latest Member of Congress to sign on is Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL).
Fr. Sean McManus, president of the Irish National Caucus, said: “I greatly welcome Congressman Hastings as a Congressional Friend of the Irish National Caucus. Irish-Americans across the United States, and particularly in Florida, are delighted he has joined. It is significant also that he is Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission), ‘charged with monitoring compliance with the Helsinki Accords and advancing comprehensive security through promotion of human rights, democracy, and economic, environmental and military cooperation in 57 countries.’ The previous Chairman, Congressman Chris Smith (D-NJ), did outstanding work on justice and peace in Northern Ireland, holding many Congressional Hearings.”
In his letter to Fr. Mc Manus, Congressman Hastings writes:‘I am writing to join the Congressional Friends of the Irish National Caucus. It is my pleasure to support the important work of your Caucus, and, most importantly, the continued involvement of the United States in the Irish peace-process. Much progress has been made since the Belfast Agreement … but there is much work to be done if all the people in Ireland are to benefit from the meaningful change and reconciliation…Thank you for all you have done to bring justice and peace to the people of Ireland. I look forward to continuing this work with you and my fellow Members of the Congressional Friends of the Irish National Caucus.’
Fr. McManus concluded: “African-American  Members of Congress have an inherent feel for justice, fairness, equality, and peace. I am deeply grateful for Congressman Hastings’ solidarity—for, as St.Pope John Paul has said, peace is the fruit of solidarity.”