Joe Kennedy III and Susan Davis have been appointed as the new, bi-partisan co-chairs of the US-based Ad Hoc Committee to Protect the Good Friday Agreement.
Kennedy, a former Congressman from Massachusetts, served as former US President Joe Biden's Special Economic Envoy to Northern Ireland, while Davis is the President of Susan Davis International.
Founded in 2019, the Ad Hoc Committee was organized to protect the Good Friday Agreement (GFA) as a result of Brexit and the fear of a hard border across the island of Ireland.
Led by former Republican Congressman James Walsh and former Democratic Congressman Bruce Morrison, the Committee was one of the first to put a spotlight on and raise the alarm about the impact of the Brexit negotiations on the GFA.
The Committee’s first letter to then-Prime Minister Theresa May helped set the tone for five years of meeting and engagement with British and Irish officials. The letter noted that the Committee was “alarmed” that the GFA might be seen "as a bargaining chip as the Brexit advocates search for an alternative arrangement."
Commenting on the new co-chairs, Walsh said: “I have been pleased to lead the Ad Hoc Committee with my colleague and good friend Bruce Morrison these last five years.
"That said, now is the time for a new generation of leaders."
He continued: "Joe Kennedy III was the Special Economic Envoy for two years and Susan is well-respected in both Dublin and Belfast.
"Susan has a long and established history of working with business leaders, the Stormont Executive, and has supported leadership initiatives for and about women for well over a decade on the island of Ireland. Susan was a founding member of the Ad Hoc Committee and has been a key leader behind the scenes.
"Together Joe and Susan will make sure that the United States remains fully engaged in protecting the GFA.”
Kennedy said: “I am very pleased that I will have the opportunity to continue to be helpful to the people of Northern Ireland.
“I learned so much during my two years as the Special Envoy.
"Irish America owes a great deal of thanks to Jim Walsh and Bruce Morrison for leading the Ad Hoc Committee.
"I hope to encourage closer economic links while keeping a sharp focus on the GFA and legacy issues.
"The United States has a strong vested interest in helping to make Northern Ireland succeed and securing the GFA in 'all of its dimensions.'"
Davis said: “I am looking forward to continuing to work closely with Joe Kennedy on critical Northern Ireland issues, as we have over the past two years in his role, as well as with the outstanding Northern Ireland leaders Michelle O’Neill and Emma Little Pengelly.
"Jim Walsh and Bruce Morrison, with the tremendous support of Kevin Sullivan, have built a strong and vibrant Ad Hoc Committee that understands the only way to put the Troubles behind us is to protect and promote the Good Friday Agreement.
"It is an honor to now step into their shoes.”
Davis chaired the landmark U.S. Ireland Business Summit, creating the groundbreaking US-Ireland R&D Partnership, and has been formally recognized for her leadership by the governments of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
John Feehery, a well-known advocate for Ireland, will replace Susan Davis as Vice Chair of the Committee. John was an official observer to the International Fund for Ireland from 2017 to 2020.
The leadership team is rounded out by current Vice Chair Kimberly Cowell-Meyers, a well-known academic and author at American University who organizes the annual Washington Forum on Northern Ireland.
Kevin Sullivan will remain as the Executive Director of the Committee.
Former Congressman Walsh said: “I believe that the Ad Hoc Committee is very good hands going forward. Kevin has always been the engine driver for the Committee. Joe and Susan can count on Kevin to get things done.”
Former Congressman Morrison said: “I have been working on the peace process since 1987 and there have been many ups and downs in this process from the first IRA ceasefire in 1994 to the Belfast/ GFA Agreement 1998 and the breakdown of the devolved governments on two separate occasions and through it all the United States has been a stabilizing factor.
"The Ad Hoc Committee has done its part to rally Irish America and to keep the focus on protecting the GFA.
"We are particularly pleased with the work we did in building American support to ensure that the GFA remained protected during the protracted negotiations between the UK and the EU on their economic future. The last thing we needed was another hard border across the island of Ireland.”
Walsh and Morrison will remain active members of the Committee.
About the Ad Hoc Committee to Protect the Good Friday Agreement
The Ad Hoc Committee to Protect the Good Friday Agreement was formed in February of 2019 out of a concern that the Good Friday Agreement was in jeopardy as a result of Brexit. The Committee includes five former American Ambassadors, two former Special Representatives, and policy experts. This prestigious group of senior leaders has grown to over 80 members and represents the broad spectrum of Irish American groups, organizations, and leadership. You can follow @HocGFA on X or visit the Committee's website here.
Comments