RSS
The Irish Voice


ILIR honors Pat Donaghy and Christine Quinn with Annie Moore Awards


Christine Quinn and Pat Donaghy honored with Annie Moore Awards
Christine Quinn and Pat Donaghy honored with Annie Moore Awards


THE Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform (ILIR) held its inaugural Annie Moore Awards at Rosie O’Grady’s in midtown Manhattan on May 6. Named in honor of the Irish girl who was the first passenger to be registered through the immigration station at Ellis Island in 1892, the awards honor prominent Irish Americans for their efforts on behalf of the Irish immigrant community.

For their inaugural awards this year ILIR chose to honor businessman Patrick J. Donaghy and New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, in an event that was hosted by the actress Geraldine Hughes.

Event organizer and ILIR co-founder Ciaran Staunton told the audience that the need for immigration reform was now more urgent than ever.

“We finally have a bill being introduced in Congress by Senator Chuck Schumer,” said Staunton. “In those few pages the future of Irish American culture is contained. It will legalize those who are here and it creates 10, 000 working visas a year for Irish immigrants to come to the United States. If anyone wants Irish culture to continue here for another generation, this is the bill that has to get passed.”

Quinn, a longtime advocate on behalf of the Irish community in New York, underlined her own commitment to immigration reform.

“If we are going to keep New York the place it is we need to have comprehensive, fair, rational immigration reform. So many of the great contributions to New York City were made by the Irish,” she said.

“If that stream is cut off then the vitality, the creativity, the arts community, the musical community of New York will decrease, and that is something that this city can’t afford.”

Donaghy, the retired chairman and founder of Structure Tone INC, who originally emigrated from Co. Tyrone in 1959, told the audience of his strong commitment to comprehensive reform. Donaghy is a long time supporter of ILIR and due to his efforts, Staunton announced, all future awards will be called the Annie Moore and Pat Donaghy awards.

“When I look at the situation today and see what the young folks are going through, believe me I understand what the American dream means to them. We should all be prepared to help them with our support,” Donaghy said.
 




Comment

Be the first to make a comment.





Connect to IrishCentral with your Facebook account


or Sign-Up directly

Already Registered? Sign-In!

Welcome to IrishCentral!
Please provide the following information in order to create your account

Username:
E-Mail Address:
Password:
Confirm Password:
I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy


Already Registered? Sign-In!
Forgot my password

Welcome to IrishCentral!
All we need is the following information and you will be part of the #1 Irish community in the US

E-Mail Address:
First select a unique username:
Username:
Now choose a password:
Password:
Confirm Password:
I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
Thank you!

Just one more step and you will be part of the largest Irish community in America! Tell us a little more about you to start enjoying all the features of IrishCentral.

Additional Information:

First Name:
Last Name:
Date of Birth:
Zip:
Gender: Male  Female 
Country:

Degree of Irishness:
Household Income:
Level of Education:

Subscribe to our newsletters:

The Best of IrishCentral - Daily Newsletter
Special Offers from our sponsors

or
Skip

You can edit your information at any time, just go to "my account" when you're logged in.

Log into IrishCentral with your Facebook account


or sign-in directly

E-Mail:
Password:
 Remember me Forgot my password
Not a member? Register Now!
submit to reddit
print this article Print
email this articleE-mail