 This St. Patrick's Night, it is a distinct honor to present the Prime Minister of the Republic of Ireland, the Honourable Garrett Fitzgerald. Mr. Speaker, Reverend Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen Irish, and if there are any today, non-Irish. I am honored to have been invited as head of the Irish government to join with you in paying tribute to Speaker O'Neill. I am very conscious of the fact that this is an American domestic political occasion. Indeed, earlier today on the Hill, I met someone who asked what's a foreigner doing speaking at that dinner tonight for the Speaker. I was puzzled. The President looks Irish enough to me. The Speaker is Irish, Senator Kennedy is Irish, and it struck me he was referring to Bob Hope. A young man, but I was able to assure my, but seriously, the fact that I've been invited to join with your President and all of you in honoring the Speaker says much about the extraordinary relationship between the United States and Ireland. The ties that bind us go far beyond those that normally exist between two friendly states. There are over 40 million loyal, patriotic Americans, including many of you here tonight, who in addition to your loyalty to the United States, have a particular attachment to and friendship with the country of your forefathers, Ireland. And nobody has demonstrated that affection and friendship for Ireland more than Tip O'Neill. It's in Ireland who heard you speak. In Dublin Castle during your visit in 1979, will ever forget? You, Mr Speaker, thus share fully in the recent historic achievement, within which the objectives and peace and reconciliation might be achieved. No words of mine will ever be sufficient to express to you the gratitude. As a token of our appreciation, I have an announcement. In the 63 years since the foundation of the Irish state, this honor has been granted only to three people. Tonight, it is my great privilege, on the authority of the President of Ireland, to grant Irish citizenship as a token of honor to two people, Thomas P. O'Neill Jr. and his wife, Mildred O'Neill. I've given him millies as well, and you're all witnesses, I gave him millies as well, so if it doesn't get you, you'll know. He's to blame, not me. Thank you very much indeed. It is a singular honor to Speaker O'Neill and my high privilege to introduce to you the President of the United States. Thank you very much. Thank you Reverend Clergy, Mr Prime Minister, Mr Speaker, ladies and gentlemen. I want to begin tonight by saying how touched I am to know that Tip wanted me here this evening. He even called me himself last week and said, Mr President, make sure you don't miss the dinner Tuesday night. But to be honest, I've always known that Tip was behind me. Even it was only at the State of the Union address. As I made each proposal, I could hear Tip whispering to the George Bush, forget it, no way. Fat chance. I think it was inevitable though that there'd be a standoff between us. Imagine one Irishman trying to corner another Irishman in the Oval Office. But despite all this, Tip wanted me here. He said that since it was March 17th, it was only fitting that someone dropped by who actually had known St. Patrick. And that's true, Tip. I did know St. Patrick. In fact, we both changed to the same political party at about the same time. Now it's true that Tip and I have had our political disagreements. Sure, I said some things about Tip and Tip said some things about me, but that's all history. And anyway, you know how it is. I forget. I just follow that old motto, forgive and forget, or is it forget and forgive? Ladies and gentlemen, I think you know Tip and I've been kidding each other for some time now, and I hope you also know how much I hope this continues for many years to come. A little kidding is, after all, a sign of affection, the sort of things that friends do to each other. And Mr. Speaker, I'm grateful you have permitted me in the past and I hope in the future that singular honor, the honor of calling you my friend. I think the fact of our friendship is testimony to the political system that we're part of and the country we live in, a country which permits two not so shy and not so retiring Irishmen to have it out on the issues rather than on each other or their countrymen. But in addition to celebrating a country and a personal friendship, I wanted to come here tonight to join you in saluting Tip O'Neill, to salute him for the years of dedication and devotion to country. Tip's recollections of politics go back, of course, far beyond my own. He's seen some who play the game well and others who do not. He's seen some who love politics and some who came to it only out of a sense of duty. But through it all, Tip has been a vital and forceful part of America's political tradition, a tradition that he has truly enriched. Yet, Tip O'Neill represents far more than just this political tradition. Deep within too is the memory of places like Back Bay and South Boston, the Docks, the Peers, those who came off the ships in Boston Harbor seeking a better land, a better way for their children. And they found that something between or better, they rose above the prejudice and the hardship. Tip would see one of his contemporaries become president. John F. Kennedy would be 68 today had he lived. And Tip can remember those golden hours better than most in this room. And then not too many years later, there was another of immigrant stock who would become Speaker of the House in so short a time, so much leadership. From one city, one place, one people. How fitting that Boston College, a place that became to so many of those new arrivals a symbol of moving upward and onward. How fitting that Boston College, whose towers on the heights have reached a heaven's own blue for so many, should sponsor this salute to Tip O'Neill. Tip, you are a true son of Boston College and our friend. And we salute you. You are also a leader of the nation. And for that, we honor you. But you also embody so much of what this nation is all about. The hope that is America. So you make us proud as well, my friend. You make us proud. Thank you. God bless you. As you will know from the program, I have some formal remarks to make later. But at this time, I would like to thank the President of the United States. This is a great country. I have traveled the nations of the world. And you see on one end of the hall the leadership and the other end of the hall the minority and they don't even speak to each other. It's just understandable in a democracy like our country that the President and I oftentimes don't see eye to eye. We have our little squabbles. But when he calls me at night, he says, is it six o'clock? Can we talk friendly? Sure, absolutely. So we swap an Irish story or two. Mr. President, you know, we have different in philosophy. But I want to tell you how much I admire your ability, your talent, the way you handle the American people, the love that the American people have for you, and your leadership, even though I have opposed to it. I have opposed it when I thought it was wrong with the philosophy that I believe in. I think truly that you did a magnificent job with regards to the Philippines. I think you did a marvelous job with regards to Haiti. Let me say this, Mr. President, your charm, your humor, your wit. Sometimes when I get up in the morning, I said, don't let it get you all, boy. You're a beautiful individual, Mr. President. Thank you for being here.