{"id":2098,"date":"2016-06-10T13:19:54","date_gmt":"2016-06-10T17:19:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aoh.com\/?p=2098"},"modified":"2016-06-10T13:19:54","modified_gmt":"2016-06-10T17:19:54","slug":"aoh-national-immigration-chair-welcomes-seanad-appointment-for-billy-lawless","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aoh.com\/2016\/06\/10\/aoh-national-immigration-chair-welcomes-seanad-appointment-for-billy-lawless\/","title":{"rendered":"AOH NATIONAL IMMIGRATION CHAIR WELCOMES SEANAD APPOINTMENT FOR BILLY LAWLESS"},"content":{"rendered":"
As National Immigration Chair of the Ancient Order of Hibernian in America Inc., I welcome the appointment of the first ever US based Irish Senate member to represent Irish Immigrants abroad, Billy Lawless.\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
Billy Lawless, a Chicago based, Irish born business owner and recent US citizen will represent the interests of the Irish abroad.\u00a0Mr. Lawless is a tireless advocate for Irish Immigrants, and as such, an ally of the AOH in our work on the issue.\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Celine Kennelly, President of the Coalition of Irish Immigration Centers has stated that US based Irish immigrant advocates have waited and fought for such a representative for many years. She also points out, there are only a handful of people that, those of us who work on this issue every day would feel, are qualified for this appointment. Lawless is beyond a doubt the perfect representative and, as we have all along as a fellow advocate, we look forward to working with him in this new position.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Billy Lawless is not the first US Citizen represent Ireland.\u00a0Let’s not forget, Eamon deValera was a native US citizen.\u00a0Europe and other parts of the globe continually benefit from US citizens participating in\u00a0 government, particularly since World War 2.\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
Doctor John Crown, recent Seanad member (2011 -2015) is USA born citizen and the son of a formerly undocumented Irish immigrant cab driver\u00a0 turned successful business owner.\u00a0Dr Crown is a renowned oncologist and dual citizen of US\/Ireland, working and living in both countries.<\/span><\/div>\n
Dr Crown is widely respected and has shared his expertise with both countries and particularly as a member of the Seanad.\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Billy Lawless will no doubt, do the same for us all, given his life experience as an Irish immigrant who has become became a successful restauranteur and dual citizen of America and Ireland. Mr Lawless, I can attest is proud to be a US citizen and with a\u00a0love for these two countries and our people will bring that important perspective to the Seanead.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
For folks in the trenches of immigration reform, or any long fight, its sometimes hard to recognize a win when we get one.\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
In Billy Lawless appointment, we have a great friend and ally in our fight for Irish Immigrants. Let us congratulate Billy and all who’ve worked long and hard to get such a US based Immigrant representative installed in Ireland’s political structure.\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Yours in our Motto of Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity<\/span><\/div>\n
Dan Dennehy<\/span><\/div>\n
Chairman<\/span><\/div>\n
Ancient Order of Hibernians In America Inc.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
National & New York State Immigration Committee<\/span><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

Here is photo of Billy Lawless and I at Immigration meeting held at White House in 2014<\/p>\n

\"w_Billy_Lawless_White_House_-_Version_2B\"<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/div>
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
Share List<\/span><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>