[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 112 (Thursday, June 29, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E935]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





IN RECOGNITION OF THE RETIREMENT OF IRELAND'S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED 
                          STATES ANNE ANDERSON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. RICHARD E. NEAL

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 29, 2017

  Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
recognize Ambassador Anne Anderson, the Irish Ambassador to the United 
States, as she retires from her position in the Irish Department of 
Foreign Affairs.
  Throughout her time in the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, 
Ambassador Anderson has served in assignments of great prestige as well 
as been the first woman to represent Ireland in all these positions. 
Her first post was as Ireland's Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) 
in Geneva in 1995. While there, she chaired the World Trade 
Organization (WTO) Trade Policy Review Body in 1996, followed by 
chairing the UN Commission on Human Rights in 1999. In 2001, she became 
Ireland's Permanent Representative to the European Union (EU), the 
first woman from any EU country to represent their nation in the 
European Parliament. In 2005, Ambassador Anderson became Ireland's 
Ambassador to France before being appointed as Ireland's Ambassador to 
the United Nations in New York in 2009. During her time at the UN, 
Ambassador Anderson focused on human rights, development, and gender 
equality issues. Furthermore, the Ambassador oversaw a review of the UN 
Peace-building machinery and facilitated preparations for the 2013 UN 
Special Event on the Millennium Development Goals.
  On January 15, 2013, Ambassador Anderson was appointed as Ireland's 
17th Ambassador to the United States. Throughout her time in 
Washington, Ambassador Anderson has focused on further strengthening 
Ireland-U.S. relations in regards to economics, trade, immigration, and 
culture. She especially did an exemplary job with all the U.S. events 
around the centenary of the 1916 Rising. Furthermore, Ambassador 
Anderson has focused on keeping the U.S. engaged in issues regarding 
Northern Ireland. Her engagement with the Friends of Ireland Caucus 
throughout her tenure has been critical in our country's continued 
involvement with the entire island of Ireland. In recognition of her 
outstanding service, Ambassador Anderson was presented with the 
International Leadership Award by the Ireland Funds this past March.
  Mr. Speaker, as a co-chairman of the Friends of Ireland Caucus, I 
have gotten to know Ambassador Anderson very well as both a colleague 
and a friend. Anne has made momentous strides in strengthening Ireland-
U.S. relations on numerous fronts and has been a great influence to our 
country. She will be greatly missed and I wish her all the best with 
her retirement and future endeavors.

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