[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8011]
[From the U.S. 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 Cavan 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 from all parts of Ireland, North, South, East, and West.

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