Peter Robinson's Speech

Senators, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen - can I thank you, on behalf of the people of Northern Ireland, for having us here and making us so welcome.  It is particularly helpful at this point in our country’s journey.

As I stand here and look towards the Lincoln Memorial I am reminded of the suffering that the United States experienced and the strong nation that emerged following its Civil War.  Lincoln said- “A house divided against itself cannot stand”. That’s an important lesson for us all.   

We have travelled a long and difficult road; many have experienced great hurt and our task is to ensure it never happens again.   When you visit us - as I hope you will - you will be in no doubt about the astounding progress that is being made. Our two traditions are serving together in a new government.  It is a government that is about change, about building, about progress, about promoting a confident and capable Northern Ireland and I believe there is no limit to what we can achieve together.

Over the next two weeks our common heritage can be explored and experienced here. You will see innovation is central to our development and will be the springboard for our future prosperity.  As we look to the future with hope, expectation and realism, we need only reflect on our common heritage to realise the potential for future relationships between our two countries.

The Ulster Scots or Scots-Irish as we are known here, contributed in a significant and lasting way to the creation and formation of this great nation.  More than one-third of your Presidents have an ancestral link to Ulster. The images of two Ulstermen – Andrew Jackson and Ulysses S Grant are on 20 and 50 dollar bills.  Your current President, George Bush and his predecessor, Bill Clinton both have Ulster ancestry.  The American Eagle emblem was designed by an Ulsterman, who became Secretary of Congress, and was involved in drafting the Declaration of Independence, which in turn was printed by another Ulsterman who was the publisher of America’s first daily newspaper.  

Over the next two weeks you will see, hear, and, I hope enjoy, aspects of our cultural traditions performed individually and together to make a unique enriching experience. For my part I will take home an exhortation from Abraham Lincoln which speaks to Northern Ireland today as it did here almost 150 years ago.  

That is our task.  I wish you well with the festival.  Thank you.