[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 65 (Tuesday, May 17, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1001]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO MR. PAUL QUINN

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 17, 2005

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to read into the Congressional 
Record a tribute to my close friend, Mr. Paul Quinn, delivered by 
former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tom Foley, on March 16, 
2005 at the 13th National Gala of the American Ireland Fund.

       They say that on St. Patrick's Day, the 33.7 million 
     Americans who claim Irish ancestry swell to 80 million. As 
     well they should!
       And on St. Patrick's Day, we here in Washington celebrate 
     the great day as only Washington can--politically. The 
     Taoiseach pays a call on the President. The Speaker hosts 
     them both at lunch. And the American Ireland Fund holds this 
     dinner, as important a celebration as any of the others, and 
     honors those who have made contributions in advancing peace 
     and reconciliation in Ireland. Like the other events, it has 
     its political side, but with a difference. Here we sometimes 
     honor those whom not everybody knows, although we here know 
     them well.
       Tonight I have the honor to introduce a man whom few here 
     can surpass in contributions to peace in Northern Ireland. 
     And almost none of us could surpass him in avoiding praise. 
     Because Paul Quinn keeps out of the limelight. He is one of 
     the most effective advocates on the major policy issues of 
     our times. He has been a tireless and effective friend of 
     Ireland, but he leaves few tracks.
       What has he done for Ireland? Twenty years ago, Paul was 
     the first nongovernment figure to invite Northern Irish 
     political leaders to Washington--not to make speeches, 
     because who can stop the Irish from speaking?!
       Paul hosted small, informal gatherings with officials, 
     diplomats, legislators and interested Irish Americans to 
     learn what was happening and to exchange views and hopes for 
     an end to the violence we call the Troubles.
       Paul was the first to bring John Hume and major Unionist 
     leaders to Washington. He became a tireless lobbyist for 
     peace through dialogue and non-violence. I know, because as 
     Speaker I was frequently the target of Paul Quinn 
     conversations on a brighter future for Northern Ireland.
       If there is anyone in this city, from the White House on 
     down, who can claim some small credit for the end of violence 
     that now seems to prevail in the North, it is Paul.
       Here at home, of course, he was also a long time Director 
     of the American Ireland Fund, and the national chairman of 
     this gala for many years. There is no Irish American 
     initiative for justice and reconciliation in this city to 
     which Paul has not given both time and strenuous effort. Like 
     everything about which he cares deeply, Paul has made his 
     passion for Ireland a family affair. Besides being a behind-
     the-scenes advisor to the Clinton Administration, there is 
     brother Tom's service as a U.S. Observer to the International 
     Fund for Ireland, a frequent topic of Paul's friendly 
     lobbying.
       Yet, there is always a dark side to every family. Paul and 
     his brothers are Republican in the Irish sense, but there is 
     also the fact, kept from elderly aunts and small children, 
     that brother Gene is also Republican in the Washington sense. 
     Tom believes this is what Paul's grandfather foresaw when he 
     sometimes called the Quinn brothers--minus Paul--the ``unholy 
     alliance.''
       Besides looking after and reveling in his family--
     especially his two granddaughters--Paul also doubles as a 
     very effective but unregistered agent for the Irish Tourist 
     Bureau. Many a Senator or Member has asked his advice on 
     where to go and what to see in Ireland.
       That advice is rarely limited to political matters. Paul's 
     single-minded determination to play every Irish golf course, 
     his tireless promotion of University College Dublin--where he 
     serves on the board of the Business School--and his limitless 
     fund of stories recommend him as an all-purpose source of 
     essential information.
       Everything I have mentioned about Paul is known to many in 
     this room tonight, but few have the whole picture. That is 
     because life long modesty has masked Paul's dedicated 
     commitment of time and treasure, quiet leadership and 
     persuasive powers to the cause of peace in Ireland. Paul 
     inherited great gifts from his Irish family--education, 
     persistent application and a tradition of giving back--but he 
     alone has applied them so effectively and quietly to the 
     cause that we all share and celebrate tonight, as we honor 
     Paul Quinn as a true champion for Ireland and for peace.

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