[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 7452-7453]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING SEAN MACKIN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 3, 2017

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a businessman, a 
humanitarian, an advocate for Irish American Causes, but most 
importantly, a dear friend. I have known Sean Mackin for many years and 
I cherish the friendship he and I have forged over that time. I am 
honored to be able to recognize his many accomplishments.
  Born in Belfast, County Antrim, Sean joined the Irish republican 
movement at age 11. He

[[Page 7453]]

was arrested and imprisoned several times by British security forces, 
starting at age 12, but was never found guilty. In 1978, Amnesty 
International cited Sean's cause as one of the five most serious cases 
of torture in Northern Ireland. Following his release from prison, he 
met and married Philomena Devine, and the two immigrated to New York in 
1983. Shortly after relocating, Sean was detained at the behest of the 
British government. As a Member of Congress, I heard about Sean's case, 
and knew that if he were to be deported his life would be at grave 
risk. I decided to get involved on Sean's behalf, and we soon became 
fast friends. After our prolonged and hard fought legal battle, the 
Mackin family won a landmark decision. His wife and daughter became the 
first Irish women to be granted political asylum in the United States, 
and Sean's deportation order was denied as he would go on to become an 
American citizen. He has been very involved in the Irish peace process 
and has worked with elected officials in Washington D.C. promoting 
peace and justice in Northern Ireland.
  Sean is also a cofounder and chairman of the New York Irish Center 
known for its outstanding services to the senior Irish generation and 
suicide prevention assistance for the Irish community. In 2014, Sean 
was honored by the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform for his work on 
behalf of undocumented Irish.
  Of course, Sean's true love is his family. He and Philomena have 
three children, Jenifer, Sean Og and Ciaran, and four grandchildren, 
Gavin, Tyan, Ella and Pierce. They all live in Eastchester, NY.
  This year, Sean will serve as Grand Marshal for the EIASC's 13th 
Annual Eastchester St. Patrick's Day Parade. I cannot think of a more 
fitting Grand Marshal. Congratulations to my friend Sean Mackin on 
receiving this wonderful honor.

                          ____________________