    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book I)]
    [March 13, 2002]
    [Pages 393-394]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a Reception for Saint Patrick's Day
    March 13, 2002

        Thank you very much. A hundred thousand welcomes to you all. I
    probably am not going to try to say that in Gaelic. [Laughter] But I
    have learned how to pronounce Taoiseach. [Laughter] Welcome back to the
    White House. It's good to be able to welcome a friend into your home.
    The Taoiseach is a friend.
        I want to thank John Reid, the Secretary of
    State of Northern Ireland, for being here. John, how are you? He's on
    his honeymoon. [Laughter] Sorry to disrupt your honeymoon, but it's for
    a noble cause. [Laughter] David Trimble, the
    honorable David Trimble, First Minister of Northern Ireland--David,
    thank you for coming. Honorable Mark Durkan,
    appreciate you being here. I want to thank all the other leaders from
    Northern Ireland. I want to thank the ambassadors who are here. Members
    of Congress, always a pleasure to welcome you to the White House.
        I want to thank you all for joining us in celebrating the memory of
    Saint Patrick. His generosity and love of liberty shaped Ireland.
    Through generations of immigrants, those values have helped shape
    America, and we are a better country for it.
        Today we also celebrate our common bonds and common purpose. From
    America's earliest days, our Nation has profited from the contributions
    of the men and women of Ireland. In fact, over two centuries ago, it was
    an Irish boy born in County Wexford, John Barry, who made

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    vital contributions to America's independence and is recognized as one
    of the founders of the Department of Navy.
        Today, Ireland is supporting the coalition against terrorism, and
    we're proud of your support. You've frozen the assets of terrorists.
    You're helping respond to terror by leading the Security Council of the
    United Nations.
        For tens of millions of Americans, our ties with Ireland are family
    ties, and this number includes some very distinguished Americans. We're
    honored today to have with us Irish American firefighters who served our
    Nation so heroically on September the 11th. They represent the best of
    the United States when they displayed enormous strength and
    determination in the face of overwhelming tragedy. And I want to thank
    you all for coming. And I want to tell you what I told you before: We
    remember your colleagues. We will not forget your colleagues who gave
    their lives trying to save the lives of others. Welcome to the White
    House.
        The people of Northern Ireland know the threat of terror. They know
    the value of peace. America is encouraged with the great strides that
    have been made in implementing the Good Friday Agreement. We see
    progress in the daily business of the Northern Ireland Assembly, in the
    new class of police recruits drawn from all communities in Northern
    Ireland, in the first act of decommissioning taken last fall, and in the
    North/South Ministerial Council, which is promoting cooperation across
    the border in agriculture and transportation and other areas.
        The good citizens of Northern Ireland and the leaders here today
    have demonstrated a fierce determination: The next generation must not
    grow up amid The Troubles. For all communities in Northern Ireland,
    there's only one future, and it must be a future of peace. Peacemaking
    can be hard work, like planting in hard soil, and as the Irish proverb
    tells us, ``You'll never plow a field by turning it over in your mind.''
        Important work remains, and the United States stands ready to do its
    part. As we gather here today to celebrate an old friendship and new
    hopes, let me open this reception with a blessing: May the Irish hills
    caress you; may her lakes and rivers bless you; may the luck of the
    Irish enfold you; may the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.
        God bless Ireland, and God bless the United States of America.

    Note: The President spoke at 11:14 a.m. in the East Room at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Prime Minister Bertie Ahern of
    Ireland; and Deputy First Minister Mark Durkan, Northern Ireland
    Assembly.