Brendan Moore, the President of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, has released a statement about the passing of former Bronx Congressman Mario Biaggi, who died Wednesday at the age of 97.

Biaggi was the son of Italian immigrants but was also an “impassioned voice for the cause of justice in Northern Ireland.”

AOH National President Brendan Moore said in his statement: 

“The Irish-American community has lost a giant and a hero with the passing of Mario Biaggi.  Former Congressman Mario Biaggi spoke for us when few others would even listen. He took up the challenge of exposing British injustice in Northern Ireland with a tremendously strong sense of zeal and commitment that was unfortunately lacking among so many "Irish" politicians serving in both houses of Congress at the time. 

“Mario Biaggi became an unlikely crusader on behalf of the embattled Nationalist community in the Six Counties; demanding that attention be paid, that justice be served, that human rights be respected. His placid smile coupled with his intense determination lent ferocious strength to all of us who, like him, were vilified for seeking to expose the truth in Northern Ireland.

“Assuredly, we were blessed to have had him among us.”

Founded in 1836, the Ancient Order of Hibernians is the oldest and largest Irish-Catholic Organization in the United States.