A vote for Kamala is a vote for peace, justice and prosperity in Ireland.
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Irish Americans for Harris is administered by Irish American Democrats. Our mission is to organize Irish Americans, especially in swing states, in support of the election of Vice President Kamala Harris.
Remarks by Vice President Harris to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar of Ireland During St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
Good morning, and Happy St. Patrick’s Day. Doug and I are very honored to once again host the Taoiseach and Mr. Barrett back at the Vice President’s Residence. Nearly 1 in 10 Americans proudly claim Irish ancestry. St. Patrick’s Day, then, is a wonderful opportunity for us to celebrate the culture and the connection between Ireland and the United States. I am proud to continue this breakfast tradition here at the Vice President’s Residence and to host you again and your spouse to celebrate. This year, we celebrate 100 years of diplomatic relations between the United States and Ireland.
As we know, the Irish people have been a part of American history and the American story since the very beginning, way beyond those 100 years.
Sky News
In 1776, three signatories to the Declaration of Independence were Irish born. Then, in the 19th century, Frederick Douglass found refuge in Ireland when he fled slavery. I recall having extensive conversations about that. The historians among us will know that Frederick Douglass, when he went to Ireland, famously said it was the first time he fully felt like a man, because of the kinship and the dignity then that he received in Ireland.
America has, of course, served as a place of hope for millions of Irish immigrants and their descendants, including those who have held the highest offices in our land. Currently, of course, that is our President Joe Biden. Throughout the past century, our nations have stood together, united by shared commitments to freedom and opportunity. Taoiseach, I want to thank you, in particular, for your leadership and your partnership. Early on in your career, you worked to strengthen the ties between the Irish diaspora and the Emerald Isle. And you have been courageous in the fight for women’s reproductive freedom. You have also been a global leader. And last month, you became the first Taoiseach to attend the Munich Security Conference, joining me and dozens of other global leaders. You have made clear that you intend that Ireland will play a positive role on the world stage, given the security challenges that we all face. We are proud to work with you to support the people of Ukraine in their fight for democracy and independence. Under your leadership, Ireland has hosted one of the highest per capita populations of Ukrainian refugees — a testament to the generosity and the compassion of the Irish people. I commend you for leading by example when you hosted in your own home a refugee from Kyiv, who left days after the invasion began.
Regarding the conflict in the Middle East — triggered, of course, by Hamas’s brutal terrorist attack — Ireland has been a leader in providing food, water, and medicine to the people of Gaza. When it comes to human rights, Ireland made history in 2015 when it became the first nation in the world to legalize same-sex marriage by referendum.
On a personal note, Taoiseach, you have been an extraordinary role model for the people all around the world as one of the only openly LGBT leaders in history. And you so graciously talked last year here about the work that you and I have done to support and fight for the rights of the LGBT community. And to see you and Mr. Barrett on the world stage is important for so many reasons, as our long march for progress continues on.
So, as we look to the next century of partnership, I am confident that the bonds between the people of our nations will only grow stronger. And I’m confident that our work together will continue to advance the cause of freedom and opportunity.
So, I offer a toast to the next 100 years, Taoiseach. Cheers, cheers, cheers.”
“Every little girl watching tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities.”
“Our unity is our strength, and our diversity is our power. We reject the myth of “us” vs. “them.” We are in this together. ”
— Kamala Harris