Shawn Sidway receives Irish American Peace Prize in front of the hallowed Rayburn House Office Building of the US Congress CAPITOL HILL. Tuesday, April 9, 2019—— A dedicated Irish Activist from the state of Florida has been presented with the Irish American Peace Prize. Appropriately enough, the Prize was presented in front of the Rayburn House Office Building, where recipient Shawn Sidway had been lobbying.Among the offices he visited was that of Congressman Alcee Hastings (D-FL), the new Chair of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission), which previously held many Congressional Hearings on human rights in Northern Ireland.It is greatly hoped that Chairman Hastings, who has a deep commitment to social justice, equality and human rights, will continue this grand tradition
The Irish American Peace Prize Prize was instituted last year by the Capitol Hill-based Irish National Caucus
to ” to honor and recognize individuals who have struggled for Irish
justice over the past 50 years.”
Caucus president, Fr. Sean Mc Manus explained when he launched the
Irish American Peace Prize: “We believe this Prize was needed to
bring balance, truth and a sense of realism to the whole history of
the past 50 years. And, I felt that I had a duty to launch the
Irish American Peace Prize in order to honor real people who have
been ignored: individuals who bore the heat of the day, who were not ‘sunshine
patriots,’ and who were not afraid to take a stand when it was
not fashionable or easy. The reality is that many Irish-Americans were too
scared or disinterested to take a stand, and some just emerged when
it was easy and had no cost…”
The beautiful plaque that goes with the Irish American Peace Prize bears the Irish National Caucus’ famous logo: the Dove of Peace super-imposed on the Shamrock, with the Caucus’ motto and founding principle:’Ireland, too, has the right to be One Nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.’ The plaque states that the recipient is receiving the Irish American Peace Prize for dedication to that founding principle.”Fr. Mc Manus said:”We are honored to honor Shawn Sidway for his dedication. He has shown keen appreciation for the work we do on Capitol Hill, and he has a very realistic awareness that there remains much to be done for justice and peace in Ireland, and that the US Congress has a key role to play.” Shawn Sidway said:”I am deeply honored to receive the Irish American Peace Prize. I have traveled to Northern Ireland many times. During my visits, I experienced the natural beauty of the land and the horror of conflict. I have never forgotten the reality of what I saw there and I became determined to become a voice for those who had theirs violently taken away. There is much work yet to be done and I am honored to play a part in our struggle to attain social justice, equality and human rights”. Fr. Sean Mc Manus
European Union leaders have agreed to a request by British Prime
Minister Theresa May for an extension to the Brexit date. They have
agreed to a ‘flexible’ extension to the end of October, subject to
certain conditions, including one which calls for elections to the
European Parliament to take place in Britain and the north of Ireland
next month.
Mrs May’s hand had been forced by an act of parliament by backbench MPs,
rushed through Westminster and which became law on Monday, requiring May
to seek an extension to prevent a sudden ‘no deal’ exit from the EU.
It has been a humiliating week for the British PM, who is now likely to
come under renewed pressure to quit as Tory leader and call a British
general election.
The terms of the extension will allow Britain to leave the EU as soon as
Westminster passes a deal. Other conditions of the deal include
guarantees Britain will not try to undermine the EU during the extra
time it has been offered, and a review of the extension at the next EU
summit in June to ensure the conditions are being met.
The outcome averts a potential disaster at 11pm on Friday, which would
have seen Britain suddenly drop out of the EU and require the sudden
imposition of customs and security controls for the border through
Ireland.
While Britain will not suddenly leave the EU on Friday evening, a
no-deal Brexit still cannot be ruled out in the coming months. Under
tonight’s agreement, a failure by London to hold elections to the
European Parliament without a deal in place would force a crash-out
Brexit on June 1.
Britain could still avoid the humiliating process of holding European
elections if Westminster agrees a Brexit deal before the elections take
place on May 23. Despite the uncertainty, plans to hold European
elections in Britain and the Six Counties are being set in train. This
will have the knock-on effect of reducing the number of MEPs to be
elected in the 26 Counties on the same day, which had been set to
increase by two.
The DUP, which has supported May’s minority government, are unhappy at
the failure to deliver Brexit by Friday’s expected departure date — the
second, two weeks after the original Brexit day of March 29.
DUP leader Arlene Foster accused May of trying to force her party into
backing the already negotiated Withdrawal Agreement. The party continues
to oppose the deal’s ‘backstop’ clause for the Irish border, which is
intended to prevent a remilitarisation of the border area, but could see
regulations ultimately differ on either side of the Irish Sea.
“Despite the prime minister being warned about the opposition to her
withdrawal agreement, she has limped along and tried to force people
into a cul-de-sac where they have no option but to support her deal,”
she said.
“That is a weak approach and demeans the strength of this great nation.
It is also foolish as it traps the UK and burdens future generations
with a bad deal.”
In a statement early this morning, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald
said the British government “must use this extension to ratify the
Withdrawal Agreement and the minimal protections of the Backstop”.
Ms McDonald also welcomed the prospect of European elections in the
North which she said would “give the people a chance to have their say”.
“Never again can a British government have the power to impose a border
across Ireland and act against the wishes of the people,” she said. “Now
is the time to look to the future and to begin to plan for a unity
referendum in line with the Good Friday Agreement.”
PLAQUE DEDICATION
On Monday, April 15, 2019, at 1100 hours, a Plaque Dedication will be held honoring the memory of Firefighter Ronald P. Svec, L-82, who died on February 2, 2018. The dedication will take place in the quarters of E-162 and L-82, 256 Nelson Avenue, Staten Island, NY. All off-duty members and their families are invited to attend. Members are requested to attend in dress uniform.
PLAQUE DEDICATION
On Monday, April 22, 2019, at 1100 hours, a Plaque Dedication will be held honoring the memory of Marine Engineer John L. Buhler, M-6, who died on March 24, 2018. The dedication will take place in the quarters of Marine 6, Brooklyn Navy Yard, Building #292, Brooklyn, NY. All off-duty members and their families are invited to attend. Members are requested to attend in dress uniform.
2019 GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE
Permission is granted for off-duty members to participate in the 2019 Greek Independence Day Parade on Sunday, April 14, 2019. The FDNY Hellenic Society requests that participating members assemble on W. 63rd Street between Park and 5th Avenue, New York, NY, at 1230 hours. Dress uniform shall be worn. For more information, contact Peter Constantine at FdnyGreeks@gmail.com or call 914-760-9968.
MATT’S RACE 5K RUN
On Sunday, April 28, at 10:00 AM, in Clove Lakes Park in Staten Island, a 5K Run presented by Engine 161/Ladder 81 & Engine 211/Ladder 119, together with the Staten Island Athletic Club, will be held in memory of Lt. Gordon “Matt” Ambelas, who died in the line of duty on July 5, 2014. The 1st Leg of FF James Halverson Award will be presented to the top FDNY finisher based on combined times from Matt’s Race, Marty Egan Run & The Celic Run. Entry Fees are as follows: Pre-entry fee: $20; Race Day: $25; Kids 14 and under $15; Race day: $20. Running awards will go to: Overall Top 3 Male & Female. Age groups: Top 3 in each of the following age groups (male & female): 14 & under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+, FD individual, FD team, Clydesdale & Athena. Pre-race pick up at The Local (formerly Pepper Jack Grill), 316 Manor Road, on Thursday, April 25, from 7:00-9:00 PM. Post-Race Party will be held at Marine Corps. League, 46 Ontario Ave, SI. There is a $10.00 post-race party fee for non-runners. Register here: http://www.completerace.com/site/event/matts-race/.
2019 FUN CITY BOWL
The annual FDNY vs NYPD football game will be held on Saturday, June 1, at 5:00 PM, at MCU Park in Brooklyn. Tickets cost $20, and a free Cyclones ticket is included with purchase. Deadline to purchase tickets is May 16. Checks should be made payable to Bravest Football. Payment can be mailed to 101 Bevy Court, Brooklyn, NY 11229. To send payments electronically, Venmo @John-Mooney-FDNYL154. For questions or more information, contact John Mooney at JEMFDNY74@gmail.com.
Sean Maguire with a poem from a published collection of his work.
Finally, the eyelids grow heavy, the fear overcome by exhaustion as we journey into darkness forever, to await who knows what in frustration. To dream would be ever so pleasing, of summer youth and love, and lie and gaze at the sky above. To recall some moments of laughter, to smile at our feelings of fear. Wondering about justice, whilst shedding one more tear.
Tumbling, falling, headlong, the earth is yearning, although, upright we sit, clammy, pale. Fervently screaming and bleeding inside, in search of the truth, to no avail.
➽Seán Maguire has been writing poetry, song lyrics, short stories and non-fiction for over thirty years and has had a considerable amount of his work published in magazines, newspapers, anthologies and online blogs. The above poem is taken from his collection For Those Left Behind.
WTC Retired Lieutenant Timothy P. O’Neill Ladder Company 5 FUNERAL Friday, April 12, 2019 11:00 AM Sacred Heart Church 981 Castleton Avenue Staten Island, NY 10310
All Off-Duty Members should attend in Class A Uniform.