Illinois top leadership turn out for Carrigan World Peace Prize
Posted By: November 16, 2018
Presented by Irish National Caucus
Burr Ridge, Illinois. Thursday, November 8, 2018— Two days after the elections top leaders in Illinois turned out in strength to honor Michael T. Carrigan, president of the Illinois AFL-CIO, recipient of the World Peace Prize of “Roving Ambassador for Peace.”
The Prize was presented by Fr, Sean McManus, president of the Capitol Hill-based Irish National Caucus and chief Judge of the World Peace Prize. The presentation ceremony was chaired by Barbara Flaherty, Executive Vice President, Irish National Caucus, and a Judge on the World Peace Prize Awarding Council.
President Carrigan said: “I am humbled and deeply honored to receive this recognition from the World Peace Prize Awarding Council. The Labor Movement and its allies build peace through economic and social justice causes throughout the world. Our fight for justice knows no borders and the enemies of peace are the enemies of justice. The work continues and the Labor Movement will not be distracted from its goals. I would like to thank the Awarding Council for this great honor and accept it on behalf of all in the Labor Movement fighting for justice and building peace throughout the world.”
Top Illinois leaders turned out for President Carrigan in a powerful display of solidarity— including U.S. Senator Dick Durban (D-IL),
Lieutenant Governor Juliana Strattan, Mike Madigan, Speaker, Illinois House of Representatives, Susana Mendoza, Illinois Comptroller,
and Congressman Dan Lipenski (D-IL).
Senator Durbin addressing the large audience praised the choice of Mr. Carrigan for the World Peace Prize, acknowledging that without Carrigan and the Labor Movement in Illinois he would not be a U.S. Senator.
Lieutenant Governor Strattan told the audience that during the elections she and President Carrigan had “roved the State” and she always knew he was a man of justice and peace.
Congressman Lipenski, describing himself as “quarter Irish” congratulated Mr. Carrigan on the World Peace Prize and announced he was entering his own comments into the Congressional Record. The congressman later told Fr, McManus he would become congressional Friend of the Irish National Caucus.
Fr. Mc Manus added: “This was, indeed, a very special presentation of the World Peace Prize. President Carrigan is a beloved Labor leader, a great American and a proud Irishman. Though we were honoring President Carrigan with the World Peace Prize, it was also an honor for us to be part of this great occasion.”
Irish American Peace Prize
The ceremony also included the first presentation of the newly created Irish American Peace Prize— presented to attorney Dick Stanton of Illinois, long-time campaigner for justice, equality, unity and peace in Ireland.
Barbara Flaherty, President Carrigan and Fr. Sean McManus
Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Barbara Flaherty and Fr. Sean McManus
Barbara Flaherty, Dick Stanton and Fr. Sean McManus
