[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 22 (Thursday, March 3, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 3, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                            PROJECT CHILDREN

                                 ______


                          HON. JAMES T. WALSH

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 3, 1994

  Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, 20 years ago this summer Project Children was 
established. It's a program bringing children from tough neighborhoods 
in Northern Ireland to American neighborhoods for the summer. The 
results are impressive, the impact undeniably positive.
  As I salute the organization begun by Denis Mulcahy of Greenwood 
Lake, NY, himself a native of the Republic of Ireland in County Cork, I 
recall dozens of scrubbed but drowsy faces at the Syracuse airport just 
a few short years ago. They were the faces of pre-teens getting off a 
long flight from home, arriving with their chaperones in my hometown--
just as other groups had arrived over the lifetime of Project Children 
in Syracuse. But this time one of them would come to our home where he 
would spend the summer getting a look at a different way of life. And 
letting us get to know him.
  He is Michael Lyons. An excellent soccer player, he was typically 
reticent about the violence in his hometown, Belfast, Northern Ireland. 
Our kids were polite enough not to bother him with questions about the 
troubles. Instead, they traded stories about families and friends, 
watched television and laughed together, went to picnics and baseball 
games, stopped for pizza and french fries, and celebrated the 
quintessential American party, the backyard barbecue. It was obvious 
Michael gained, but our kids did, too. They saw--in fact we all saw, 
through new eyes--what we often take for granted. Basic freedom and 
safety. America is indeed the land of plenty.
  I would not presume to call Michael one of our family after one short 
summer of knowing him. But it is surprising how quickly a young person 
can find his way into an adult's concern.
  My concern flares when I read the news about continuing violence in 
Northern Ireland. Clearly, hatred and prejudice have survived the best 
efforts of the good people behind Project Children. In the Divis Flats 
of Belfast and in the Bogside of Derry, poverty persists, men of 
violence recruit, and guerilla war goes on--and mothers still pray for 
help, near despair. The seed of economic development, sponsored by 
sensible people who see jobs as the answer, is not allowed to mature in 
the grip of an ageless class struggle. How sad.
  But, of course, we cannot give up nor can we ignore the good will 
inspired by groups such as Project Children. Over 20 years, thousands 
have been temporarily lifted out of neighborhoods in which people 
typically live their entire lives. They have been received warmly in 
places such as Syracuse where they learn there is another way to live. 
In the end, I believe, it will be this sort of realization that creates 
the foundation for peace in Ireland.
  Ireland's troubles should be a concern to all of us. The United 
States is too big a country not to have an impact, whether by our 
action or inaction. The time for addressing Northern Ireland on the 
world's center stage is here. We in the Irish Caucus of the House will 
do everything we can to insure this.
  In the meantime, Project Children remains committed to the young 
people, irrespective of political decisions, disabused of unrealistic 
notions, yet full of idealism and hope. As the veterans of Project 
Children grow up, so too does the project. The network grows and the 
commitment strengthens while supporters and administrators alike remain 
guided by trust in a principle older than even the ancient animosity 
itself. Where there are young people there are still dreams. Where 
there are still dreams there is a way.
  I know my colleagues join me in saluting this humanitarian 
organization and in particular Kathleen Kelly of Syracuse who has so 
tirelessly worked for this cause. Congratulations on two decades of 
creating intercultural awareness and nurturing hope. You have our 
prayers and our firm support.

                          ____________________