A member of the Irish Parliament is at the Iowa Statehouse this morning. John Carty gave a brief speech in both the Iowa House and Senate. “I would like this morning to thank the people of the United States and especially your politicians who over the past few years have done a lot to bring peace among the different factions on our island, especially in the northern part of our island,” Carty said.The visiting Irish politician said he hopes peace comes to the world, and he expressed support for the U-S initiative in Iraq. “I know at the present time your country is having a difficult time, but you have the backing of the Irish people,” he said. “It is only right that we should reciprocate that which (the U-S) have given us over the years.” He praised the U-S for opening its doors to thousands of Irish immigrants over the years. Carty was elected to the Irish Parliament in 2002, and he is in Iowa to serve as the grand marshal of the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Emmetsburg. “I would ask you which you found more difficult to understand: my brogue or the Gaelic language,” he said, before launching into a bit of Gaelic. Carty is a farmer, the father of eight, and a former ag official in Ireland. One of his favorite hobbies is Gaelic football. Just before Carty’s address, David Earl of Sibley, Iowa, played a bagpipe concert in the Iowa House.
