Boston --- Drawing on his own Irish immigrant roots, Congressman Edward Markey spoke about the struggles and successes of immigrants, both historically and in the present, at the recently held second annual Irish International Immigrant Center's (IIIC) business leader's breakfast. "The story of the two sides of my family - the Markeys and the Courtneys - in America mirrors the tales of countless Irish immigrants who came to the United States, worked hard to improve their lives, and harnessed the gift of educational opportunity to give each succeeding generation a better life," said Rep. Markey, a congressional supporter of comprehensive immigration reform. "I work every day to keep faith with that tradition and animate my legislative efforts and priorities for fairness and justice and opportunity for all Americans," he said. "We are extremely fortunate to have Congressman Markey as our guest speaker to help us draw attention to the need for ongoing funding of the many services the IIIC provides to newcomers to America's shores," said Sister Lena Deevy, Executive Director of the Irish International Immigrant Center. "Not only is the congressman a leader in immigration reform, but he can speak from his own family's personal experience, as well as that of many of his constituents," Deevy said.
