Statement of Trina Vargo on the Death of Senator Edward M. Kennedy

August 26, 2009

"Senator Kennedy’s commitment to Ireland and Northern Ireland spanned forty years and no one has contributed more to the strengthening of the relationship between the US and the island of Ireland. He encouraged me to create the US-Ireland Alliance and everyone at the Alliance is grateful for the continuous support he gave to the organization and the Mitchell Scholarship program. Personally, he gave me, at a very young age, an incredible opportunity to be a part of making a difference in a way that few people get. I told him when I left his employ that, no matter what I did with the rest of my life, the way that I see things would, to a very great extent, be shaped by the way that I learned to see things by working with him. And for that I feel honored and privileged -- but most of all I feel incredibly lucky -- that he allowed me to be a part of his work."

NOTE FOR EDITORS:

Trina Vargo served as Foreign Policy Adviser to Senator Kennedy from 1987-1998 and was heavily involved in the Northern Ireland peace process. She subsequently founded, and is president of, the US-Ireland Alliance.