CHIEF executive of the Fitzpatrick Hotel Group in the U.S. John Fitzpatrick, and owner and chairman of the Pittsburgh Steelers football team Daniel Rooney, have been honored by the Queen of England for their contribution to peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland. Fitzpatrick, who was awarded the honor Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), told the Irish Voice on Tuesday that he is extremely honored to receive such a high accolade. "I am very honored to receive this and the only regret I have is that my parents aren't here with me to be able to celebrate it with me," said Fitzpatrick, who founded the Eithne and Paddy Fitzpatrick Memorial Golf Tournament in his parents' honor in 1993. "They were the reason I'm getting it because I wouldn't have set up this foundation without them." Sir Alan Collins, the British Consul General, New York announced the award two weeks ago. "I got the phone call from the British Consulate and I don't think I believed it at first," Fitzpatrick said. "I really had no idea it was coming. I never expected to receive anything like this. I'm just delighted."Steelers boss, Rooney, who co-founded the American Ireland Fund, an organization that raises money for various causes in Ireland, has been awarded an honorary Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his contribution to peace in Northern Ireland. Rooney is also co-founder of the Newry/Pittsburgh partnership, which promotes international investment in Northern Ireland. CBE and OBE honors are awarded on merit for exceptional achievement. The Order honors people for public service or other distinctions.Rooney, 76, who was born in Pennsylvania and Fitzpatrick, director of the American Ireland Fund board, will receive the awards in coming weeks from the British Ambassador to the U.S., Sir Nigel Sheinwald at a ceremony in Washington. Fitzpatrick, 47, has been instrumental in raising money for various Irish charities since he founded the Eithne and Paddy Fitzpatrick Memorial Golf Tournament. The tournament takes place annually at the Knollwood Country Club in Elmsford, New York. Fitzpatrick said if it wasn't for the supporters of the tournament he would not have received this award. "It's not me doing it, part of the award is theirs because of their support," he said. To date the foundation has raised over $1.3 million, largely funding Irish based organizations including the Barretstown Gang Camp, a camp that provides programs and support to children with serious illnesses and their families, and the Corrymeela Reconciliation Center, an organization focused on bringing people of diverse religious and political backgrounds together in the interest of peace. The foundation has also supported PeacePlayers International, a grass roots organization which focuses on using the game of basketball to unite children from diverse backgrounds in conflict zones across the globe, including Northern Ireland. On Monday, August 11, Fitzpatrick announced a leadership gift of $100,000 toward the challenge grant issued to PeacePlayers International. The gift will directly support the year-round single identity work, twinning sessions, community club sessions and summer programming in the Belfast area. His golf tournament, which often attracts sporting figures and politicians, also supports several charities in the U.S.Rooney, who was unavailable for comment, said in a statement last week, "It's a great honor, but many people contributed to the peace process that brought both sides together. I feel honored to even be thought of for it."