[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 11 (Monday, March 19, 2001)]
[Page 453]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks at a Saint Patrick's Day Shamrock Presentation Ceremony With 
Prime Minister Bertie Ahern of Ireland

March 16, 2001

    Taoiseach, thank you very much, sir. We're so honored you're here. 
Laura and I welcome you and welcome our guests. Thank you all for 
coming. We accept this crystal of shamrocks, not just as a symbol of 
Ireland but as a symbol of a strong friendship between our nations, our 
shared values and shared history and shared hopes. Thank you for 
continuing this Saint Patrick's Day tradition. And we really appreciate 
this wonderful gift.
    But Saint Patrick's Day is also a time for everyone to reflect on 
Ireland's many gifts to the world. We are thankful, first, for all that 
Ireland and the Prime Minister have done to further the cause of peace 
in Northern Ireland. There's an Irish expression, ``the work praises the 
man.'' The peace that holds today in Northern Ireland is no small 
measure a tribute to the Prime Minister and his courageous leadership. 
And I assured him, and will continue to do so, that the United States 
stands ready to help in any way that the governments involved need.
    The world is also thankful for the thousands of peacekeepers Ireland 
sends to other troubled corners of the globe, everywhere from Kosovo to 
East Timor. And we're thankful for the generous development aid Ireland 
sends to the world's poorest nations.
    But Ireland's most precious gift to the world has been the Irish. No 
nation has benefited more from Irish talent and industry than the United 
States. You've given us Presidents, nine signers of the Declaration of 
Independence. In fact, so many Irish served as volunteers in the 
Continental Army, a Lord in Parliament lamented, ``We have lost America 
through the Irish.'' [Laughter]
    Today, over 44 million Irish-Americans reinforce the natural bonds 
of friendship between our nations. The United States is proud of our 
strong ties of trade and investment and proud that they have contributed 
to the strong economy that you have led. We look forward to working even 
more closely with Ireland, particularly now that it serves on the U.N. 
Security Council.
    According to legend, Saint Patrick returned to Ireland after hearing 
the Irish people beckon him in a dream to come and walk among us once 
more. Well, today, it is a world that beckons the Irish to continue 
walking among us and sharing with us the rich culture, the large hearts, 
and good works.
    So Mr. Prime Minister, America is proud to call Ireland a friend, 
not just on Saint Patrick's Day but on every day.
    Welcome.

Note: The President spoke at 10:36 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 the Prime Minister Ahern.