[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7478]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         JOINT SESSION ADDRESS BY IRISH TAOISEACH BERTIE AHERN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES T. WALSH

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 30, 2008

  Mr. WALSH of New York. Madam Speaker, I was deeply honored to 
accompany my good friend and partner in peace Bertie Ahern before one 
of his last and most prestigious official engagements, less than a week 
before he stands down from office.
  Taoiseach Ahern is one of the finest public servants I have ever 
known. For more than 30 years he has served his community and the 
people of Ireland valiantly and with a prevailing sense of civic duty. 
Bertie Ahern's persistence led to the signing of the Good Friday 
Accord, the St. Andrews Agreement and more than a decade of prosperity 
for Ireland. I believe that will be the hallmark of his legacy: 
commitment to peace, prosperity and progress.
  As a fellow elected official who will also be transitioning back into 
private life, I wish him and his family well in whatever future 
endeavors they choose to undertake.

                          ____________________