92^nd BIENNIAL CONVENTION

AOH/LAOH NATIONAL CONVENTION

WYNDHAM FRANKLIN PLAZA HOTEL

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA

JULY 7^TH TO 10^TH

Mass in one of the Ballrooms preceded the joint meeting of the AOH and LAOH. The celebrant, Deputy National Chaplain Fr. Patrick Healy, became ill at Mass and was taken by ambulance to a local hospital where he later died. Thus the convention was started on a sad note.

 Pres. Ned McGinley opened the joint meeting. Cardinal Justin Rigali and Mayor John Street made special greetings. The Cardinal remarked that his Grandmother was from Roscommon. Mayor Street made reference to the Philadelphia’s Irish Memorial and that Philadelphia was a city of neighborhoods, many of them Irish who seem to be more disciplined and have their families under control. The Mayor humorously remarked that in Peru a Mayor was lynched because he didn’t pave the streets or build a market. He followed that with “God Bless America”.

The next speakers were two past Lord Mayors of Belfast, Mayor McGinnis, the first Catholic Mayor in centuries, and Mayor Kevin McNamara, a member of the Sinn-Fein party. Mayor McGinnis is a member of SDLP. They both spoke on their efforts to have the “Good Friday Agreement “ implemented. The Catholic members currently make up 15% of the RUC and is growing. They feel the RUC must be reformed from within. Mayor McNamara said there is still collusion between the Loyalists and the security forces.

Judge Andy Summers, Pres of the Unity Conference, spoke on Human Rights in Ireland. He indicated all are for peace in Northern Ireland but “Justice” raises the question. The devil is in the details. There is no Bill of Rights and the police are still not fully reformed.

Fr. Aidan Troy, C.P. spoke of his experiences at Holy Cross School in Ardoyne, Northern Ireland. He is now trying to restore the original Holy Cross School as a cross community center, incorporating doors on each side of the building opening into each community.

A speaker encouraged members to write their Senators to continue the Walsh Visa program. There are an estimated 200 gangs in N.I., mostly teens that did not finish school. The Walsh Visa program tries to break that cycle by bringing them to America to learn a trade.

A presentation was made by New Orleans for the 2008 Convention and this is now the designated site for 2008.

Presentations were made by Boston and Cincinnati for the 2006 convention and Boston was later voted as the winner. The current plan is for July 5, 2006 at the Sheraton in downtown Boston. Rooms are $149 plus 12.45 tax, hotel self park $25 a day, and the meal and entertainment package $300.

Malachy McAllister pleaded his case for political asylum. He had served 4 years in Long Kesh prison after being convicted of a crime based on the uncorroborated testimony of a co-conspirator. He fled Northern Ireland with his family in 1988 after narrowly escaping a gun attack on their home by a loyalist death squad. They went to Canada and then into the United States. His wife, Bernadette died of cancer on May 10^th 2004. He is asking for all Hibernians to write President Bush on his behalf.

The National Directors made their reports. Vice President John Meehan, after the conclusion of his report, made a passionate speech at his displeasure with Sinn Fein passing a resolution condemning America’s involvement in Iraq. Apparently there was a picture in the Irish Echo of Sinn Fein officials signing the resolution. He received two standing ovations during his remarks.

Treasurer Seamus Boyle prepared a very detailed report. He privately admitted that their budget procedure in the past had not been good and he was going to improve that this year. Mr. Boyle also reminded all Treasurers to include AOH on any checks they submit.

Past National President George Clough Jr. stated the Notre Dame Hibernian Fund has a Market Value of $1,250,000 and has made grants of nearly $500,000

Project St. Patrick Chairman, Ed Wallace reported that in 2004, 61 applications were received from 52 seminarians and 9 Novices. 26 recipients were awarded $500 grants.

Brendan Moore, Chairman FFAI again stressed the importance of writing our Senators in opposition to the Extradition Treaty. Also emphasizing the same point was John McInerney, National Political Education Committee Chairman.

The Chairman assigned to the project identifying stained glass windows donated by Hibernians reported that 212 have been located. The one in Maryland is in St. Peter The Apostle Church in Baltimore. 49 of the windows are in Massachusetts.

Division 7 in East Islip reported the largest number of members with 825. The largest Division outside of the North East is Division 3 in Indianapolis with 390.

There were over 600 voting delegates at the Convention.

The most controversial resolution had to do with the expulsion or suspension of politicians and others who openly support laws and policies contrary to the teachings of the Catholic Church particularly having to do with the right to life. The resolution as written had the words “values and morals” in it and this was termed to be too ambiguous by the committee. It was referred to an Ad-Hoc committee to resolve. The Chaplain also said we should wait for the Bishop’s decision before proceeding.

There is available, free of charge, a recruiting tape titled, The Way Home. Telephone Brother Jones at 803-783-9177.

At the Banquet, Fr. Aidan Troy, C.P. was awarded the John F. Kennedy Medal. He also received a donation of $40,000 for his work at the Holy Cross School in Ardoyne.

Convention Election Results:

Executive Board Re-elected                       National Directors

President          Ned McGinley                        Dave Burke                  Ma.
Vice President  Jack Meehan                          Bill Byrne                     Mi.
Secretary          Tom McNabb                        Pat Cahill                      Ca.
Treasurer          Seamus Boyle                        Tom Egan                     Ct.
                                                                      Brendan Moore            NY.                                                                        Bob Mott                     SC.

Maryland Delegation introduced a Resolution for support of Irish-American Heritage Month and urging Divisions to appoint Committees to promote and expand Irish-American Heritage Month.

There were also resolutions dealing with the National Archives and the guidelines for “Life Membership”.

 In summary, the speakers were interesting and informative and the Executive Board demonstrated that they are a very capable, hard working and dedicated group. The delegation as a whole was very enthusiastic, so much so that discussions in the General Meetings tended to overlap scheduled committee meetings and State caucuses. One of the biggest benefits from attending the convention is the personal contact with the Board Members and seeing the national scope of the AOH and LAOH. Also, socializing with Brothers from other parts of the country can create contacts that can have unexpected benefits in the future.