New York State Attorney General Letitia James hailed the "rescue and reform" of the American Irish Historical Society in an address to the Irish Echo's Community Champions Awards event Thursday evening.
Attorney General James delivered her remarks to enthusiastic applause at the gathering which was held in The View at Battery Park City in lower Manhattan.
Said James in part: "It’s so nice to be among you all today, and I am proud to bring greetings from the Office of the Attorney General of New York State. Thank you very much for the invitation to join you and speak.
"And I am thrilled to be here as you acknowledge two exceptional New Yorkers and American Irish Historical Society members who helped the effort to rescue and reform this essential institution. They are Brian McCabe and Sophie Colgan.
🗞️ The Irish Echo was founded in 1928 and is the nation’s most widely read Irish American newspaper, publishing weekly in both the United States and Ireland.
As a first generation Irish-American, I’m humbled to be honored as one their Community Champions this year. pic.twitter.com/YrrcOXxk1S
— Assemblymember Patricia Fahy (@PatriciaFahy109) October 5, 2023
"As you may know, they worked closely with my office to save this iconic New York City landmark. Thanks to their dedication and hard work, this symbol of Irish heritage and center of Irish culture is here today. Brian’s reaching out to our Charities Bureau to flag financial irregularities and raising his concerns about the integrity of the society’s collection was a critical factor in our stepping in to see if we could assist.
“And Sophie’s online petition against the sale of the society's mansion garnered over forty thousand signatures. Forty Thousand!
"That really illustrated the broad and profound public concern and helped highlight the need for immediate action. I was proud to use the powers of my office to help preserve and revitalize the American Irish Historical Society.
“Because for eighty years, you have been a home for this community, and an essential part of our city. Brian and Sophie, your efforts helped paved the way for a fresh start for the organization and new hope for the society's future.
“And that is why I cannot think of more deserving recipients of the 2023 Irish Echo Community Champions Awards than Brian and Sophie. I also want to give a shout out to everyone who stepped up, like Brian and Sophie, to rally around this institution and help save it. From board members, to concerned volunteers, to the wider community.
“It was heartening to see such an outpouring of passion, and I was thrilled that we were able to harness that into action. Together, we helped preserve an essential part of New York history and a beacon of Irish culture and heritage. Thank you for welcoming me to be a part of this evening’s program."
