    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book I)]
    [March 17, 2006]
    [Pages 499-500]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a Saint Patrick's Day Shamrock Presentation Ceremony With
    Prime Minister Bertie Ahern of Ireland
    March 17, 2006

        President Bush. Taoiseach, thank you very much. Welcome back.
        Prime Minister Ahern. Thank you.
        President Bush. Laura and I are delighted to
    welcome you here to the White House. I'm proud to accept the bowl of
    shamrocks as a symbol of our friendship.
        The friendship between Ireland and the United States has deep roots.
    Few people fought as hard for American independence as the sons of Erin.
    At the end of the Revolutionary War, Lord Mountjoy told the House of
    Commons that, ``We've lost America through the Irish.'' The Irish played
    a key role in Washington's army. And in the two centuries since, the
    ties between Ireland and America have only strengthened.
        The ties between Ireland and America are reflected in this great
    house. This house was designed by an Irish architect, and he used as his
    model the grandest building he knew, Leinster House in Ireland. The
    affinities between the two buildings are more than just architectural;
    the White House, built by James Hoban, has been home to every American
    President since John Q. Adams' father, John. The Dublin building that
    inspired him now serves as a free parliament in a free and independent
    Ireland.
        The ties between Ireland and America are also reflected in our
    people. Ireland has one of the fastest growing economies in Europe, and
    its growth is attracting immigrants. For more than a century, that

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    was a different story. Millions of Irish came to our shores because of
    war and poverty and famine. Often they arrived with nothing but the
    faith of their fathers and a willingness to work. These men and women
    who built our cities were also the soldiers who defended our freedom in
    every one of our wars. They're the priests and they're the nuns who
    built a system of parochial schools that provided a decent education for
    millions of poor immigrants. And they're now doing the same thing for a
    new generation of African Americans and Latino Americans in our inner
    cities.
        Like Saint Patrick, the Irish in America began their life in their
    new land as exiles, but came to love it as home. Finally, the ties
    between Ireland and America are reflected in our common commitment to
    bring the blessings of liberty to every man and woman and child on this
    Earth.
        In the 20th century, Ireland won its independence and raised up a
    democracy that offered its people a just and better life. In the 21st
    century, Ireland is now helping other nations who share the same
    aspirations for peace and prosperity by fighting hunger and the spread
    of HIV/AIDS in Africa, by supporting relief efforts for victims of the
    tsunami in Asia, and by helping the Afghan people rebuild their lives
    and their country. Ireland is independent when it comes to foreign
    policy, but Ireland is not neutral when it comes to the global
    challenges like hunger and disease and human rights.
        Taoiseach, you're making a big contribution to our world, and we
    appreciate it. The United States appreciates all of Ireland's efforts
    for peace and freedom. Americans are grateful to our Irish friends, and
    we are proud of our Irish heritage.
        The Census Bureau tells us there are more than 34 million Americans
    that claim Irish ancestry. On Saint Patrick's Day, I suspect that number
    jumps a little bit. [Laughter] On this special day, we honor the saint
    who brought the gospel of peace to the Green Isle, and we count
    ourselves blessed by the warm friendship between his adopted land and
    our own.
        Thanks for coming. Appreciate it.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:31 a.m. in the Roosevelt Room at the
    White House. The transcript released by the Office of the Press
    Secretary also included the remarks of Prime Minister Ahern.