Congressman

Thomas Manton, Democratic Congressman from New York, is another politician whose work on behalf of Ireland has been unquestionable. 

The son of immigrants from Counties Mayo and Roscommon, Manton grew up in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen before his family moved to Queens, the district which he now serves, along with parts of the Bronx. 

Since 1984, when Manton was elected to the House of Representatives, he has been co-chair of the Ad-Hoc Congressional Committee on Irish Affairs. He threw his weight behind the visa issue for Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams, and was a member of President Clinton’s entourage when the President visited Ireland. Manton is a member of Irish Northern Aid, and in 1994 he was elected Grand Marshal of the New York St. Patrick’s Day Parade. 

“That happiness will be eclipsed only by lasting peace with justice in the land of my forefathers,” Manton said.