Building Bridges between US and Northern Ireland

Mike Scardina, Illinois-based Chief Executive of Northbrook Technology, was presented with the Golden Bridges award by Loretta Brennan Glucksman, the Chairwoman of the American Ireland Fund at a Wall Street luncheon addressed by Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy.

Chief Honouree at the high-powered event was New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson Jr, trustee of over $120bn in city pension funds, who is being asked to back a peace bond or equity investment fund for Northern Ireland.

Mairtin O Muilleoir, publisher of the Irish Echo, said the event paid tribute to those who had built golden bridges of prosperity and investment between the US and the North of Ireland. This Wall Street celebration is the start of an Irish Echo campaign to encourage Irish Americans to invest, through city pension funds and directly through companies, in the North. If we can convince Irish America that their dollars will be invested in an equitable and inclusive manner to earn a return, there is no ceiling to what can be achieved.

Minister for Regional Development, Conor Murphy MP said: This trip presents a unique opportunity to promote and further engage the US government and potential investors on the benefits that exist at home as we work to build an economy based on a just, stable and prosperous society across the north. The Minister will tour the New York Stock Exchange after the luncheon.

Mr. Thompson, the City Comptroller said: Our work is not complete if those in Northern Ireland who have historically suffered the most get the least out of the peace dividend. We must work to ensure that all people feel the progress and that all communities experience the meaningful change.