McManus and McCord knock on D.C. doors
Posted By: February 13, 2020
By Irish Echo Staff
February 11-18, 2020
Northern Ireland victims’ campaigner Raymond McCord arrived in Washington, D.C. last weekend to renew his campaign, together with Irish National Caucus president, Fr. McManus, aimed at securing justice for his murdered son.
Because the issue is British govern- ment collusion in, and cover-up of, the 1997 murder of Raymond Mc Cord, Jr., the immediate and most relevant points of contact for the McCord-McManus duo is the House Foreign Affairs Committee,” said the INC in a statement.
“Consequently, their meeting with Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY), chairman of House Foreign Affairs Committee is not only appropriate but of central importance for the McCord-McManus mission.”
Congressman Engel said the statement, is a long-time congressional Friend of the Irish National Caucus and has a long and excellent record of concern for, and action on, equality, justice and peace in Ireland.”
Fr. McManus and Mr. McCord, who will be in D.C. for a full week, will be meeting with staff members of the U.S. Helsinki Commission (Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe).
This meeting,” said Fr. McManus, “is of great significance.’
He added: The chairman is Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL), a leading African American member of Congress
Fr. Sean McManus and Raymond McCord.
and also a Congressional Friend of the Irish National Caucus.
The previous chairman, when the House was controlled by Republicans, was Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), who held a total of 17 Hearings on Human Rights in Northern Ireland.
McCord and McManus will be briefing Congressman Smith’s office during the former’s visit.
They will also be briefing the offices of congressmen Joe Kennedy III (D-MA), Brendan Boyle (D-PA) and Thomas R. Suozzi (D-NY).
“Because it is an extremely busy time for Congress, the “ever-helpful” Congressman Richie Neal (D-MA) was helping Mc- Cord, and McManus with their schedule, the INC statement said.
The two will be additionally meeting with the Irish Desk at the State Department, the Irish Embassy, and the Northern Ireland Bureau.
“And, importantly, Mr. McCord and Fr. McManus are meeting with Mr. Richard L. Trumka, President, AFL-CIO. President Trumka has expressed interest in the Mc Cord campaign for many years. He also works closely with Fr. Mc Manus in the promotion of the World Peace Prize.”
