President Trump Participates in the Friends of Ireland Luncheon

Well, we hope you all enjoyed your meals. We'll get the program going again. We have some of the busiest people in the world in the room So we want to be a good steward of your time. I mentioned earlier that Irish Americans have left an indelible mark on American history and I had a few facts I wanted to share with you this afternoon to have you consider these Irish men and women have taken up arms among American soldiers They've made unmatched contributions to music and literature and the arts and they punch well above their weight in American government Many Irish nationals played an essential role during the American Revolution John Barry for example was an Irishman who received the first Commission issued by the Continental Congress and Is considered the father of our American Navy. He later became the first Navy captain to seize a British ship We had three Irishmen who signed our Declaration of Independence George Taylor Matthew Thornton and James Smith One of the most recognized houses in the world was designed by James Hoban an Irishman from County Kilkenny when he designed our White House and 23 of the 45 men who have who have served as United States president have Irish heritage many of them proudly and And and same for hundreds of congressmen and senators who have walked these hallowed halls Today we celebrate their contributions and the truly special relationship Among the United States and Ireland and the Irish people So join me in a toast here. I am again without a glass. I'm supposed to be toasting. I'm gonna grab Glass of water no less It works as well And the toast is in hold on man, I am really messing this up, but we're all friends here And I don't know where it went. All right. I'm just gonna toast It was a beautiful toast trust me it was great To the United States to Ireland to this beautiful relationship and to all who aspire to be Irish around the world Cheers So lunch, that's right, that's what I'm supposed to say I Have the pleasure of introducing our our own head of state here now this luncheon offers an opportunity for both Americans and the Irish to reflect on our past and on our future in 1981 Senator Ted Kennedy and Senator Daniel Moynihan and Speaker of the House Tip O'Neill Started this great tradition the Congressional Friends of Ireland They aimed to celebrate their shared Irish heritage deepened ties between our two nations and promote peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland in 1983 the Friends of Ireland luncheon was born when President Ronald Reagan of course of proud Irish heritage and the and the Taoiseach visited Capitol Hill to celebrate Irish heritage and st. Patrick's Day This lunch was the embodiment of that of charity and friendship Across political differences, and it has led the real world led to real-world international diplomatic successes many historians credit the advocacy of the Friends of Ireland caucus as essential and In the signing of the Good Friday Agreement And we welcome continued efforts to promote and preserve this agreement and promises of a bright future for the Friends of Ireland Last year, I hosted this luncheon as alongside President Biden our political differences were on stark display. It was obvious That's an understatement But he was our incumbent Democratic president and I was the Republican House speaker and still we shared laughs at the table at this event It was one of the rare moments of the year where we could do that. That's what this this celebration is all about We laid down our swords and in the spirit of Tip O'Neill and Ronald Reagan We broke bread together and celebrated what binds us all together rather than what divides us this year is a little different, of course political dynamics on Capitol Hill are extraordinarily different President Trump is back in the White House Republicans control both chambers of Congress here in our form of government Unified government a year ago people thought I was crazy for predicting that we would be here today but but we are and We're facing a new dawn for America and our bilateral relationships And I know that we can look forward to working together to promote and preserve our friendships It's a important informative time around the world to do that So in keeping with the proud u.s Ireland tradition and the spirit of the Friends of Ireland luncheon is my great privilege to present the 45th and 47th president of the United States Donald J. Trump I've been here just about every time we had one that was terminated because of a thing called Cove it I don't know if anybody's heard of that, but that was never pleasant and we would have been together twice But we had cove it interrupted twice and I appreciate seeing you again, however And I also want to thank my new friends from Northern Ireland for being here I just met thank you very much And I must say they spoke very well of you so that's good that's good and Great to be with you and thank you to Speaker Johnson and thank you to all of the members of Congress Who are here quite a few? Most of which are Irish most of whom are Irish and We welcome to shook and I love the name because Mihal But it's Michael. I said how many people call you Michael. It's exactly Michael. I said he said about 50% I said do you get upset when they do he said no, but I'm gonna call you me haul because that's the way it is Martin who is Really been terrific. I've been with him Quite a bit. I've spoken to him quite a bit and we're gonna have no problems and his wife Mary Welcome you to America fantastic people and It's really a wonderful annual tradition being here. We're also grateful to be joined by Irish ambassador to the United States Geraldine Byrne Mason where's Geraldine? And the entire Irish delegation and I know we're We're a little bit. Everybody's a little bit late today, but that's okay because we sell it We're celebrating the Irish and I think it's okay. We're a little bit late. I also want to Congratulate a friend of mine Ed Walsh. He's a great golfer. He's a championship golfer actually not quite as good as Rory, but that's okay But he's right He's won many many club championships many club championships and it's one of the best golfers you'll ever see and Congratulations, boy, you're gonna have fun over there. He's gonna be the ambassador to Ireland. So Congratulations, Ed. Well, maybe it is thanks to me, but you're gonna have a good time. You're gonna represent us Well, he can do most of his business in the golf course. That's so nice, but he's got the best job of anybody and I really Appreciate so many of my friends being here. So many great friends are here This afternoon we're gathered to celebrate the deep and abiding ties of History family and friendship that bind together Ireland and the United States of America The Irish American patriots have been part of our national history in our country's earliest days amazing history they have with our country Irish Americans fought heroically in our war for independence served with honor in the Crucible of the Civil War and won fame and valor among Theodore Roosevelt's famous Rough Riders They were Rough Riders by some estimates more than 2,000 Irish American warriors have earned the Congressional Medal of Honor This is an amazing statistic because Who would ever think that's even possible? It's more than 50% of the medals of honor Were won by the Irish. I'm gonna have to check that that sounds like That's like that's an awfully good statistic we're gonna have to check what's going on over there, huh? But that's an amazing statistic actually 50% This includes the great Audie Murphy the most decorated enlisted soldier in American history whose service in the Second World War earned a Medal of Honor to silver stars abroad star three Purple Hearts and the Legion of Merit Quite a person became a movie actor the movie actor stuff wasn't quite as good as the soldier that he did but He was great came a very famous person actually America's truly been blessed by the courage and unstoppable spirit of the Irish over the generations Americans of Irish Ancestry have helped build our railroads and raise our cities and man our factories and rich Our culture with art and music and literature we see that all over and Protect our communities by joining the proud tradition of Irish American police officers and firefighters If you have done more for the Stars and Stripes than the sons and daughters of the Emerald Isle and I can tell you I know your father was a great boxer and They have a lot of good fighters. I know so many Irish fighters They like to fight and they're damn good at it, too But your father his father was a great fighter actually, so that means genetically. I'm not gonna mess around with you You understand I'm a believer in that but as you know and Monday millions of Americans will celebrate st. Patrick's Day We love st. Patrick's Day, maybe especially in New York hundreds of thousands of citizens decked in Irish green will parade through the streets of Chicago Boston Philadelphia and of course, New York a site that I've witnessed many many times in Manhattan The people will stream up 5th Avenue and March past the Magnificent I see it so much and I love it, especially when you're looking down upon st. Patrick's Cathedral Because it's to me one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the world And it's a monument not only to God but also to the Patriot Saint of Ireland Patriot Saint It's a really an extraordinary testament to the connection between our two countries that after more than 1,500 years the shining legacy of st. Patrick's still rouses city blocks Half the world away think of that and fills our people with incredible love and pride. We have a lot of pride in That Cathedral that Cathedral is something to me. So beautiful. I Think maybe my favorite they have larger, you know, it's very large, but they have larger but I think it's truly one of the most beautiful the Irish spirit is Truly alive and thriving in America and as we see today The friendship between our nations is strong and it's really unbreakable and that includes all of you, you know, it's all of you. We We love you all so to shook. I want to just thank you once again for being here. It's an honor And hopefully we're going to be doing this At least three more times. Okay, we're gonna be doing this three more times at least when I say at least they go absolutely crazy So, thank you very much for being here Mary. Thank you very much for being here. It's a great honor. Thank you Thank you. Mr. Speaker. Thank you everybody Thank You, mr. President our next guest is not a stranger to this event However, this is actually the first time we have the privilege of welcoming the t-shirt Michal Martin I Said that right we were talking about that some I'm Michael too But that's how we say it very plainly and boringly in the u.s. And it's the same name over there. It's me How I like it a lot better But we're welcoming him to the Friends of Ireland Ireland luncheon in person as the new t-shirt and this is interesting because in in 2021 it was mentioned earlier this luncheon was virtual due to The ongoing kovat pandemic and in 2022 the the t-shirt was in town and slated to attend But he had a positive kovat diagnosis himself and forced him to deliver remarks virtually once again So now finally finally we welcome him in person to this great event And we're so excited to have you in the capital my friend. I'll welcome you to the podium now the t-shirt Michal Martin Mr. President mr. Speaker chairman Kelly and Neil Senators representatives ladies and gentlemen, I want to thank you all for welcoming me and Mary to Washington DC to celebrate st Patrick's Day And it is a good feeling to be covered free and to be here on that day But may I in particular say I'm pleased also to be joined with the deputy first minister in Northern Ireland Emmett this is Bengali very pleased to have you here This is a cherished opportunity to break bread with our most steadfast friends and as has been said it's now More than 40 years since speaker Tip O'Neill invited President Ronald Reagan to the capital for the first st Patrick's Day lunch and thus began a very proud tradition, which I am honored to continue today in your esteemed company President Trump, thank you for joining us today to mark our national day You were a great friend of Ireland. And by the way, all those statistics that you quoted are absolutely verifiably true. I Also know president that there's one small corner in the west of Ireland a Beautiful and remote part called Doonbeg in County Clare which holds a very special place in your heart And we hope to welcome you back to our small island and indeed to these particular greens very soon Speaker Johnson once again, you have graciously gathered our dear friends in this in this August house to mark st Patrick's Day you two are a true friend of our nation We thank you for your hospitality in what is a very busy week and for for you For centuries now America has been a place of welcome and opportunity for Irish people Our nation's green has been threaded through the rich tapestry of the United States by almost 32 million Irish Americans their forebears left a very different Ireland to the one we know today Many were fleeing the grinding poverty and terrible hunger which blighted Ireland in centuries past They left in desperation But also in determination to forge a brighter future for their children They channeled that commitment into building stronger communities and ultimately a stronger nation this great nation Many of their descendants are with us today True friends of Ireland who continue to work tirelessly for a future of peace and prosperity on our island Indeed we need look no further than the co-chairs of our of the Friends of Ireland Caucus our dear friends Congressman Neill and Congressman Kelly's bold leadership and vision Unites Irish American members from both sides of the aisle through the Congressional Friends of Ireland Caucus throughout our troubles the Friends of Ireland Republican and Democrat alike held fast to a vision of Ireland not marred by violence or terror You worked Unrelentingly to realize that fragile hope you stood shoulder-to-shoulder with us No matter how fierce the challenge and there were many such challenges and it is that same determination That together we must devote today to today's conflicts in the Ukraine and in the Middle East and our shared history Teaches us that peace However, elusive it may sometimes seem is achievable its promise remains within our grasp Mr. President, we are forever grateful for the United States contribution to transforming our island and we wish you well in the efforts that you are making to bring peace to the Ukraine and To the Middle East and further afield we thank you for your leadership and indeed your ongoing friendship to Ireland Thank you. Once again for joining us today Thank you. Mr. Speaker for your gracious hospitality and thank you to our dearest friends in this room A very happy st. Patrick's Day to you all as we might say in Gaelic Go raibh míle maith agaibh agus beannachtaí na h-Eileadh Pádraig oraibh go léiribh Go raibh míle maith agaibh. Thank you very much indeed