7 August 1997 Edition
AOH honours Adams
Last Saturday 2 August at the Derryhale hotel in Dundalk, the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) USA, presented Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams with the JFK medal in recognition of his commitment to bringing lasting peace with justice to Ireland.
Upon presentation of the prestigious award, the National Vice President of the AOH, Thomas Gilligan, said:
``In recent months Americans, especially Hibernians and the Irish-American community, have had reason to hope that a new moment has arrived in Irish history. Two decades of neglect and terrible Tory rule in the North of Ireland came to an end. a new government came in with a landslide victory in an election that saw overwhelming support for Gerry Adams, MP, a man we recognise this evening. He has worked tirelessly for the new dialogue that will end violence and injustice in the north. This support from Adams came as no surprise to Hibernians.
``Since the founding of th Hibernians in America in 1836, we have publicly and proudly worked for all of Ireland to be free. We have not just talked the talk of peace, freedom and justice, but we have walked that same walk. In the early phases of the civil rights struggle our national President John Keane, with the approval of the Catholic Bishops led a nationwide appeal for funds to house and clothe and feed those dispossessed by loyalist burning, looting and killing. We have contributed every year for over 30 years to Green Cross/An Cumann Cabhrach. Hibernians offered leadership and support to the nationwide campaign to link government purchase and investment funds to the MacBride fair employment principles. We have sent observers to show trials like those of the Birmingham Six and the Guildford Four and also to watch the RUC in action during loyalist marches. We have stood tall against plastic bullets, for the victims of the Dublin/Monaghan bombing and the Bloody Sunday Massacre and for the truth about the murder of Patrick Finucane. We intend to see they get justice.
``I review this Hibernian legacy because there was a tremendous sense of unity of purpose amongst our membership with the recognition of Gerry Adams. It seemed as though all our collective efforts in solidarity over the years were now beginning to pay off. This was true especially because of the American Peace Initiative led by another MacBride awardee, Congressman Bruce Morrison.
We recognise Mr Adams not only for his leadership as president of Sinn Féin, but for his courage in steadfast pursuit of a cessation of hostilities. As an eyewitness to much of the anguish the British occupation has caused, Gerry Adams set about rebuilding the Sinn Féin party by recruiting candidates and re-establishing a political apparatus. The British fear votes more than bombs or bullets so they set about to collude with loyalists like Brian Nelson. Over a period of four years this deadly deal would cost the lives of five Sinn Féin candidates and 7 party workers. There has been no such assault on a political party in any modern democracy as there has been in the North of Ireland. In recognition of his determination to overcome these obstacles and to give voice to the ideals and principles of the brave men and women of Sinn Féin who would not be silenced by censorship and assassination, it is my privilege to bestow the JFK Medal Of Honour on Mr Adams on behalf of members of the National Board here present and on behalf of men and women Hibernians everywhere.''
Upon presentation of the prestigious award, the National Vice President of the AOH, Thomas Gilligan, said:
``In recent months Americans, especially Hibernians and the Irish-American community, have had reason to hope that a new moment has arrived in Irish history. Two decades of neglect and terrible Tory rule in the North of Ireland came to an end. a new government came in with a landslide victory in an election that saw overwhelming support for Gerry Adams, MP, a man we recognise this evening. He has worked tirelessly for the new dialogue that will end violence and injustice in the north. This support from Adams came as no surprise to Hibernians.
``Since the founding of th Hibernians in America in 1836, we have publicly and proudly worked for all of Ireland to be free. We have not just talked the talk of peace, freedom and justice, but we have walked that same walk. In the early phases of the civil rights struggle our national President John Keane, with the approval of the Catholic Bishops led a nationwide appeal for funds to house and clothe and feed those dispossessed by loyalist burning, looting and killing. We have contributed every year for over 30 years to Green Cross/An Cumann Cabhrach. Hibernians offered leadership and support to the nationwide campaign to link government purchase and investment funds to the MacBride fair employment principles. We have sent observers to show trials like those of the Birmingham Six and the Guildford Four and also to watch the RUC in action during loyalist marches. We have stood tall against plastic bullets, for the victims of the Dublin/Monaghan bombing and the Bloody Sunday Massacre and for the truth about the murder of Patrick Finucane. We intend to see they get justice.
``I review this Hibernian legacy because there was a tremendous sense of unity of purpose amongst our membership with the recognition of Gerry Adams. It seemed as though all our collective efforts in solidarity over the years were now beginning to pay off. This was true especially because of the American Peace Initiative led by another MacBride awardee, Congressman Bruce Morrison.
We recognise Mr Adams not only for his leadership as president of Sinn Féin, but for his courage in steadfast pursuit of a cessation of hostilities. As an eyewitness to much of the anguish the British occupation has caused, Gerry Adams set about rebuilding the Sinn Féin party by recruiting candidates and re-establishing a political apparatus. The British fear votes more than bombs or bullets so they set about to collude with loyalists like Brian Nelson. Over a period of four years this deadly deal would cost the lives of five Sinn Féin candidates and 7 party workers. There has been no such assault on a political party in any modern democracy as there has been in the North of Ireland. In recognition of his determination to overcome these obstacles and to give voice to the ideals and principles of the brave men and women of Sinn Féin who would not be silenced by censorship and assassination, it is my privilege to bestow the JFK Medal Of Honour on Mr Adams on behalf of members of the National Board here present and on behalf of men and women Hibernians everywhere.''