Joe Crowley: “as cochair of the Ad Hoc Committee on Irish Affairs, I am pleased to rise in strong support of the Walsh visa program.…”

“as cochair of the Ad Hoc Committee on Irish Affairs, I am pleased to rise in strong support of the Walsh visa program. This program helps the truly disadvantaged of Northern Ireland and the six border counties of the Republic of Ireland by allowing them to live and work here in the United States for a short period of time. While in the United States, these young men and women are given the training they need to become skilled workers. At the completion of this short-term job training program, the participants return to their homeland and put into practice the skills they have learned here in the United States. These skills will help them to build a better life for themselves, a life that they may not have had but for this program and its opportunities. We are not just discussing job opportunities, but rather life opportunities and the ability to look to a brighter future. We all know the reality that Northern Ireland still faces is a very difficult one. The assembly is still dissolved and the elections look as if they will be further postponed. But this program provides hope to these people for a better future for themselves and their families. The United States needs to continue this program for the good people of the island of Ireland. I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill.”