GOP New York Rep. Mike Lawler addressed a full house of law enforcement officials at the Irish Echo Law & Order Awards last night, paying tribute to the courage and sacrifice of police officers - while also hinting at a possible run for NY Governor later the year.
Ridiculing "sorry-assed" NY Democrat efforts to restrict police powers, he also touted his strong support for "those who keep our streets and country safe". He revealed that in his district, over 50 per cent of households have at least one person who is a police officer, firefighter, active military personnel or a veteran.
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Thanking "each and every one of you for keeping our communities safe", he pledged to be an unwavering advocate for the police "whether in Congress or at some point in the Governor's mansion".
In a pre-Christmas roasting of Dems, Rep. Lawler had suggested, perhaps in jest, to run against current Governor Kathy Hochul in the Governor's race.
Always treat to have the NYPD Pipe & Drums open Irish Law & Order Awards - much-beloved & legendary institution of Irish America which is icing on cake of every major gathering of the Irish of NYC. Famed for taking selfless stand for justice in North of Ireland back in the day 🙌 pic.twitter.com/gdbyajn76l
But speculation about the Congressman's future has also extended across the Atlantic with speculation about a possible new role as Special Envoy to Northern Ireland.
While in recent years, the post of NI Envoy has skewed towards matters economic - most recently with the two-year tenure of Joseph Kennedy III - Rep. Lawler would be expected, as President Trump's appointee, to take a more freewheeling approach.
Whether or not there is any basis to the Special Envoy speculation, the suggestion is certain to cause consternation in Whitehall given the Congressman's repeated calling out of British Government backsliding on commitments to come clean on decades of collusion with loyalist paramilitaries.
At the awards in the View at the Battery in Manhattan, Consul General of Ireland in New York Helena Nolan praised Rep. Lawler for his support of the peace process.
Among the honorees at the gala evening were Noel Moloney, Chief U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Brendan Latimer who serves with the NYPD in the Bronx. Officer Latimer who entered the police academy on his 21st birthday, has now served the city for seven years.
A full report and photos will appear in our print edition this coming Wednesday and can be viewed online or via our App.
