[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 85 (Wednesday, May 17, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E657-E658]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE WASHINGTON IRELAND PROGRAM AND CLAUDIA AND TOM CORCORAN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. BRENDAN F. BOYLE

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 17, 2017

  Mr. BRENDAN F. BOYLE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in 
honor of the Washington Ireland Program which works every day to 
support leaders committed to building a future of peace and prosperity 
for Northern Ireland and Ireland. For over two decades, the Washington 
Ireland Program has played an important role in post-conflict Ireland 
by bringing together young leaders from a wide range of communities and 
backgrounds for an outstanding leadership and skills-development 
program.
   Specifically, I'd like to highlight the work of Claudia and Tom 
Corcoran who have a deep and steadfast commitment to Ireland and its 
young people. They believe in providing opportunities for people to 
experience life changing perspectives and opportunities. The Washington 
Ireland Program's impact today can be attributed to Claudia and Tom's 
early and effective advocacy. They have been involved in setting up 
opportunities for young people from the United States to participate in 
exchange programs to Ireland, in which both countries benefit from 
these programs to foster transatlantic relations and deeper 
understanding between our two countries.
   Claudia's clear passion for students and background as an educator 
is evident through her deep involvement and leadership on the 
Washington Ireland Program Board of Directors. Originally from Ireland, 
Tom is exemplary of the American Dream. At age 13, Tom emigrated by 
himself to the United States from County Caven Ireland, where he was 
born and his siblings and parents still remain. He is now quite 
successful as President at Corcoran Enterprises and serves as a Senior 
Advisor in the Aerospace and Defense Sector at The Carlyle Group where 
he assists in developing strategy and identifying investments in the 
aerospace and defense sector.
  Tom believes in America as the ``land of opportunity.'' Both Tom and 
Claudia are focused on paying their successes forward and creating 
opportunities for others who come behind them, bettering the lives of 
young people

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from all parts of Ireland, North, South, East, and West.

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