Press Releases

The American Chamber of Commerce Ireland (AmCham), on St. Patrick’s Day 2022, awarded its highest honour – the Kennedy-Lemass Medal – to Chairman Richard E. Neal, in recognition of his tireless work to bring peace to the island of Ireland and deepen the bonds of friendship between the US and Ireland.

The Kennedy-Lemass Medal honours US citizens of Irish heritage who have made a significant contribution to the wonderful US-Ireland relationship.

Chairman Neal, has served as a Congressman in the United States House of Representatives for Massachusetts’s 1st congressional district since 1989 and has dedicated much of his career to US Ireland relations. Throughout his life of public service, Chairman Neal has devoted decades to maintaining American involvement in the Northern Ireland peace process and made a significant contribution to achieving lasting peace on the island of Ireland.

This Medal is named in honour of President John F. Kennedy and Taoiseach Sean Lemass, in recognition of the transformative impact on the US-Ireland relationship of President Kennedy’s visit to Ireland in June 1963 and Taoiseach Lemass’s return visit to the US in October 1963. These visits symbolised a seismic shift in the US- Ireland relationship and Ireland’s international trading relationships. The Medal has the blessing of the Kennedy and Lemass families.

The Kennedy-Lemass Medal was presented to Chairman Neal in the historic Capitol Rotunda on St. Patrick’s Day morning.  Speaking about the awarding of the medal, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin said “There is no greater friend to the Irish on Capitol Hill than Chairman Richard E. Neal. His commitment to the Northern Ireland peace process and Good Friday agreement has been inspirational. As a nation we are truly grateful for his passionate support and delighted that the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland is recognising Chairman Richard E. Neal today with its highest honour of the Kennedy-Lemass medal"

At the presentation, Chairman Neal said “For generations, Irish immigrants, including my own, have flocked to the United States with an unwavering determination to make a better life for themselves and their families. To this day, our country’s fabric is woven with their stories, hard work, and enduring spirit. It is because of my ancestors, who fled subjugation and famine to become part of the American mosaic, that I have been able to play a role in the U.S.-Ireland peace process. It was with great pride that I accept this award from the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland on their behalf.”

Speaking about AmCham’s recognition of Chairman Neal, AmCham Ireland’s Chief Executive Mark Redmond said: “Ireland could not have a more committed and steadfast friend on Capitol Hill than Chairman Richie Neal. Throughout his distinguished career in high political office he has worked tirelessly to bring peace and equality of opportunity to all the people on the island of Ireland – the land of his forebears. Inspired to enter public service by hearing President Kennedy speak on the 1960 Presidential campaign, there can be no greater example of the leadership recognised by the Kennedy-Lemass Medal than that demonstrated by Chairman Neal.”

About Chairman Richard E. Neal

Richard Edmund Neal is an American politician serving as the US representative for Massachusetts’s 1st congressional district since 1989. A member of the Democratic Party, Chairman Neal has been the dean of Massachusetts's delegation to the United States House of Representatives since 2013, and he is also the dean of the New England House delegations. 

Chairman Neal has chaired the House Ways and Means Committee since 2019 and chaired the Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures. He has also dedicated much of his career to US Ireland relations and maintaining American involvement in the Northern Ireland peace process, for which he has won several acclamations.

For more information, contact - Regina O’Connor