The following is the introduction of Congressman Smith by Ancient Order of Hibernians New Jersey State President Sean Pender at a Dec. 16 press conference at the announcing Smith as 2015 Grand Marshall of the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Hamilton Township:
It is my great honor today to introduce the Grand Marshall of the 2015 Hamilton St Patrick’s Parade.
Congressman Chris Smith is a man that is a true public servant, he is a tireless worker whose moral compass is guided by one of life’s most simple lessons: “Whatsoever you do for the least of my brothers that you do unto to me”
In his 30 plus years in Congress he has built a congressional portfolio of leadership based on human rights, the protection of life, the support of our veterans, and fighting for the least of our brothers and sisters when he stands for the oppressed throughout the world. He has fought to protect woman and children caught up in sex-trade, he has supported a living wage, worker protections, senior and child health programs and a safe and clean environment.
The residents of the 4th district are very lucky to have a Congressman like Chris Smith who for 30 plus years, supported by his tremendous staff has worked tirelessly for his constituents.
While this resume in of itself deserves recognition and acknowledgment it is Congressman Smith’s impeccable record on the struggle for peace, truth and justice in the North of Ireland that we as Irish Americans are most thankful for and recognize him for. Congressman Smith held the first-ever congressional hearing on human rights abuses committed in the North. Since then, he has chaired fifteen hearings and markups condemning paramilitary violence and also focusing on human rights abuses, discrimination against Catholics, and police brutality as fundamental causes of the “Troubles” in Northern Ireland.
At these hearings he has taken on hard issues, asked hard questions and stated the facts as he continues to shine the light on, what still needs to be done in the North to fully implement the GFA. At a time when many believe that the GFA has addressed all outstanding issues pertaining to the Troubles Congressman Smith continues the push to have all signatories of the agreement live up to their obligations, especially the British government, who without any reason continue to renege on their responsibility to hold an independent inquiry into the collusion murder of Irish civil rights lawyer Pat Finucane.
Over the years Congressman Smith has provided to so many victims and survivors their only platform to speak about the injustices and losses they have encountered. So many travel 3000 miles to his hearings since they are ignored and not listened to by their own government
Of all of those that have testified perhaps the most memorable was civil rights lawyer Rosemary Nelson who in September of 1998, testified about the ongoing harassment and intimidation of defense lawyers in Northern Ireland and the threats she herself was receiving. Sadly her testimony was predictive as on March 15, 1999, six months after testifying before Congress and six weeks after filing a complaint against the RUC for the assault against her Rosemary Nelson was murdered. On the eve of the 16th anniversary let us remember that brave young mother as we march
On March 14th I can think of no person better suited to lead the 30th annual parade than Chris Smith a tireless advocate of peace, truth and justice in Ireland.
