The American Ireland Fund, one of the nation’s largest supporters of programs to promote peace, culture and charity throughout Ireland honored US Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) with the prestigious American Ireland Fund Leadership Award, etching his name alongside former distinguished recipients and Irish advocates including: Frm. President Bill Clinton, Frm. Prime Minister Tony Blair, Sen. John McCain, Sen. and Frm. First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, and internationally famed U2 singer Bono among many other notable honorees. 

    “Over the course of history, Ireland has endured the imposition of a wrenching disproportionate level of political upheaval, injustice and pain. Few people on earth have suffered as much and for so long,” said Smith who has chaired a dozen hearings on peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland over the past decade. “Still, buoyed by faith in God and the dream of freedom, the strong willed Irish people, throughout the centuries, have exhibited remarkable fortitude, conviction, and an indomitable spirit that has enabled them in the last few years to reach peace and establish a working power-sharing government that represents people from both communities on the island. “ 

    In a letter to Smith nominating him for this award, The American Ireland Fund acknowledged his longstanding efforts for peace stating, “This recognition is made to acknowledge your work on the environment, communication and your commitment and efforts on behalf of the Irish peace process.” 

    Introducing Smith at the gala was Elisa Massimino, Washington Director of the renowned advocacy organization Human Rights First who remarked, “For 28 years, Chris Smith has been a voice of conscience in the United States Congress, fighting for justice and human rights, in Northern Ireland and around the world. 

    “He put the issue of human rights in Northern Ireland on the map in the United States Congress. And because there were no such hearings in Northern Ireland, or England, or Ireland, his hearings became a unique public forum for airing these critically important issues. 

    “No one in the United States Congress has understood this better, nor played a more important role in pressing the human rights agenda in Northern Ireland, than Congressman Chris Smith.” 

    In accepting the award, Smith said bipartisan efforts in the US have helped create an environment where opposing factions in Northern Ireland could come together in a democratic environment. 

    “As a Member of Congress who passionately believes in human rights, including and especially in my ancestral home, Ireland, I joined Members on both sides of the aisle in trying to encourage peace and social justice. 

    “Believing that credible law enforcement—absent the taint of collusion—was the linchpin for progress, I put together and chaired Congressional hearings focused primarily on police reform, and I wrote laws to ensure that US police training was in no way complicit with RUC cops who had gone bad—or as Christopher Patten put it, the ‘bad apples.’” 

    “With the latest ‘troubles’ behind it, Northern Ireland has now joined the Republic of Ireland as an oasis of peace, reconciliation, and reconstruction,” he said. “The animosities that festered and killed have been replaced with the new paradigm of sectarian harmony that has all the earmarks of being durable, sustainable and irreversible. 

    “Robust debate has replaced the gun. Votes have replaced the car bomb. For the talented politicians elected to lead in the Northern Ireland Assembly, there is a no going back.” 

    Smith also credited The American Ireland Fund and other NGOs for the support they provided in advancing a peaceful resolution in Northern Ireland. 

    “I want to thank the American Ireland Fund, (and its 10 affiliated funds abroad) for effectively showing the way forward. To you, peace and reconciliation, integrated education, community development and the celebration of arts and culture aren’t just benign words, but tangible projects and programs. 

    “By investing in those initiatives that bring people together for the common good – mitigating sectarian bias and violence in the process—you have given not just Ireland but the world a clear path to follow.” 

    Smith is the prime author of several bills and amendments that have passed the House and/or become law condemning violence and promoting peace and justice in Northern Ireland: HR 3427, H Con Res 152 and H Con Res 128. His best-known amendment suspended US support and exchanges with the British police force in Northern Ireland, the Royal Ulster Constabulary, until standards were set to vet out any RUC officers who engaged in human rights abuses. Smith is also a leading advocate of the US International Fund for Ireland, which has provided over $400 million in US aid to cross-community economic development in Ireland and he is working with Rep. Mike Doyle to establish a bilateral autism coalition with parliamentarians in Northern Ireland. 

    Along with Smith, this year the AIF also honored US Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) and US Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) during their 16th annual National Gala in Washington, DC held on March 12th. Several Members of Congress, members of the Irish government, Northern Ireland Assembly, participants in the Irish peace process, industry leaders and many more are expected to attend the event which will be held at the National Building Museum. 

    In conclusion Smith added that the change in Northern Ireland is evidenced by the issues that Irish delegations address when they visit his office. “Rather than police brutality and religious discrimination, the parliamentary delegations from Ireland are now grappling with important government safety-net issues such as autism, better transportation, and ways to promote a better economy. Once you have peace, you can really focus on the delivery of services that people hope to rely upon every day,” he said.