Former Vice Presidential candidate Congressman Paul Ryan will be guest speaker at the first ever Republican caucus Irish breakfast on September 18. A new organization, Irish Republicans in the Senate and House, (IRISH) is hosting the event.
Ryan, the powerful chairman of the House Budget Committee and a likely presidential contender in 2016 will speak at the National Republican Capitol Hill Club. He is expected to address topics such as heritage, the peace process in Ireland and immigration.
Organizers include Congressman Peter King Co-chair of the ad hoc committee on Irish Affairs and former Co-chair Congressman Jim Walsh.
In a statement both men said “This year the Irish have invited their Diaspora back to Ireland to join in a global celebration of culture and heritage. They are calling it The Gathering. While most of us can’t return to the Emerald Isle, there is a way to show support.”
“Irish American Republican have played a significant role in our nation’s history not the least of whom was our beloved President Ronald Reagan. We continue to pay a key role on issues from Northern Ireland to Irish American culture and heritage to immigration.”
Ciaran Staunton, president of Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform and an organizer of the breakfast said "Those of us who have come to the U.S. from Ireland appreciate the importance of the US-Ireland relationship. We appreciate the good work that Republican Members of Congress have done to nurture that unique relationship. We understand further that good things happen when there is a bipartisan consensus on public policy".
The event is co-sponsored by the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform and IrishCentral.com.
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