AOH honours Adams
Last Saturday 2 August at the Derryhale hotel in Dundalk, the
Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) USA, presented Sinn Féin
President Gerry Adams with the JFK medal in recognition of his
commitment to bringing lasting peace with justice to Ireland.
Upon presentation of the prestigious award, the National Vice
President of the AOH, Thomas Gilligan, said:
``In recent months Americans, especially Hibernians and the
Irish-American community, have had reason to hope that a new
moment has arrived in Irish history. Two decades of neglect and
terrible Tory rule in the North of Ireland came to an end. a new
government came in with a landslide victory in an election that
saw overwhelming support for Gerry Adams, MP, a man we recognise
this evening. He has worked tirelessly for the new dialogue that
will end violence and injustice in the north. This support from
Adams came as no surprise to Hibernians.
``Since the founding of th Hibernians in America in 1836, we have
publicly and proudly worked for all of Ireland to be free. We
have not just talked the talk of peace, freedom and justice, but
we have walked that same walk. In the early phases of the civil
rights struggle our national President John Keane, with the
approval of the Catholic Bishops led a nationwide appeal for
funds to house and clothe and feed those dispossessed by loyalist
burning, looting and killing. We have contributed every year for
over 30 years to Green Cross/An Cumann Cabhrach. Hibernians
offered leadership and support to the nationwide campaign to link
government purchase and investment funds to the MacBride fair
employment principles. We have sent observers to show trials like
those of the Birmingham Six and the Guildford Four and also to
watch the RUC in action during loyalist marches. We have stood
tall against plastic bullets, for the victims of the
Dublin/Monaghan bombing and the Bloody Sunday Massacre and for
the truth about the murder of Patrick Finucane. We intend to see
they get justice.
``I review this Hibernian legacy because there was a tremendous
sense of unity of purpose amongst our membership with the
recognition of Gerry Adams. It seemed as though all our
collective efforts in solidarity over the years were now
beginning to pay off. This was true especially because of the
American Peace Initiative led by another MacBride awardee,
Congressman Bruce Morrison.
We recognise Mr Adams not only for his leadership as president of
Sinn Féin, but for his courage in steadfast pursuit of a
cessation of hostilities. As an eyewitness to much of the anguish
the British occupation has caused, Gerry Adams set about
rebuilding the Sinn Féin party by recruiting candidates and
re-establishing a political apparatus. The British fear votes
more than bombs or bullets so they set about to collude with
loyalists like Brian Nelson. Over a period of four years this
deadly deal would cost the lives of five Sinn Féin candidates and
7 party workers. There has been no such assault on a political
party in any modern democracy as there has been in the North of
Ireland. In recognition of his determination to overcome these
obstacles and to give voice to the ideals and principles of the
brave men and women of Sinn Féin who would not be silenced by
censorship and assassination, it is my privilege to bestow the
JFK Medal Of Honour on Mr Adams on behalf of members of the
National Board here present and on behalf of men and women
Hibernians everywhere.''
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