Nancy Pelosi Derry visit compared to the 1995 visit of President Bill Clinton.
The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Cllr John Boyle said the visit today by the Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi was a huge honor for the city and a significant vote of confidence in the work being done to bring about real and positive change for the citizens of the City region.
Speaking at a reception in the city’s Guildhall today, Mayor Boyle spoke about the strong historic, business and political links between the City region and the United States and the strong determination and ambition to further build and develop those links.
Mayor Boyle said the visit by President Clinton to Derry in 1995 had brought hope and gave the people of the city confidence to seek a different future. He said today’s visit was a strong endorsement of the message to renew that commitment.
Read more: Speaker Pelosi launches new effort to pass Irish work visas bill
For generations, Ireland has been the emerald thread in the fabric of American history and national life. America is grateful for your partnership, glad to share in the joy of this centennial, and looking forward to another 100 years of Irish leadership in the world. #Dáil100 pic.twitter.com/kGGxHBFHB0
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) April 17, 2019
He acknowledged the strong commercial relationship the city has with the US in terms of trade and investment and spoke of the commitment on both sides to continue to work in close collaboration to strengthen those relationships to create a prosperous and peaceful future for everyone.
He paid tribute to John Hume, who could not attend but who was represented by his wife Pat, by acknowledging his political “vision, tenacity and imagination.”
The Mayor acknowledged the challenges the City region faces with Brexit and reassured the delegation that by working in close partnership we have created a strong functioning cross border economy that is both resilient and robust.
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► VIDEO: Nancy Pelosi visits the Irish Border between Donegal and Derry, describing the difference between her visit 21-years-ago versus today #Brexit https://t.co/VDHVDCHBGk pic.twitter.com/UDPsjS0ly4
— Irish Times Video (@irishtimesvideo) April 18, 2019
He thanked Pelosi for taking time out of her busy schedule to visit Derry and for her tireless support for the Good Friday Agreement.
Concluding, he said: “With the words of President Clinton, “Let’s finish the job” because there is still a lot of work that needs to be done and I have absolutely no doubt the people of this city will be fully appreciative of your assistance in realising our ambition.”
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