VOA常速英语2008年-Bush Celebrates Irish American Ties

By Paula Wolfson
White House
17 March 2008

President Bush says the United States stands with the people of Northern Ireland as they build on the peace process that has ended decades of sectarian violence. VOA's Paula Wolfson reports he spoke¹ at a White House celebration of St. Patrick's Day - the Irish national holiday.

An Irish tenor² filled the White House with the melodies of his homeland on this St. Patrick's Day.

The historic East Room was filled for the occasion. For on this holiday, it seems every American is just a little bit Irish.

It is said that roughly 35 million Americans can trace their heritage back to Ireland. And over the years, St. Patrick's Day has become a time to honor those shared ties.

In an act steeped in tradition, Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern presented President Bush with a crystal bowl of shamrocks - the three-leafed clover that is the symbol of Ireland.

"In a world of change where little remains³ constant, I believe the United States and Ireland will always enjoy an indelible bond shaped by the legacy⁴ of countless⁵ immigrants who built and cherished their new home but never forgot the land of their ancestors," said Ahern.

Also present at the ceremony were political and civic⁶ leaders from Northern Ireland, where a peace process has taken hold ending decades of sectarian violence.

Prime Minister Ahern said he could finally come to Washington for St. Patrick's Day and say the Irish are totally at peace.

"I hope that Ireland can now begin to share the lessons of our peace efforts with others in the world who suffer the pain and loss of conflicts and division," he said.

President Bush voiced his support for efforts to improve the economy of Northern Ireland, saying the country has put behind a painful past and is reaching for a hopeful future. He announced he would send a high-level delegation⁷ to an investment conference that will take place in May.

"Obviously, the United States needs to help and we will," said President Bush. "But nothing will happen without clear conviction and determination by the folks who live in Northern Ireland."

Before the ceremony, President Bush and Prime Minister Ahern held private talks at the White House. Later in the day, they attended a St. Patrick's Day luncheon⁸ hosted by leaders of the U.S. Congress.

1 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

2 tenor   

n.男高音（歌手），次中音（乐器），要旨，大意

参考例句：

• The tenor of his speech was that war would come.他讲话的大意是战争将要发生。
• The four parts in singing are soprano,alto,tenor and bass.唱歌的四个声部是女高音、女低音、男高音和男低音。

3 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

4 legacy   

n.遗产，遗赠；先人(或过去)留下的东西

参考例句：

• They are the most precious cultural legacy our forefathers left.它们是我们祖先留下来的最宝贵的文化遗产。
• He thinks the legacy is a gift from the Gods.他认为这笔遗产是天赐之物。

5 countless   

adj.无数的，多得不计其数的

参考例句：

• In the war countless innocent people lost their lives.在这场战争中无数无辜的人丧失了性命。
• I've told you countless times.我已经告诉你无数遍了。

6 civic   

adj.城市的，都市的，市民的，公民的

参考例句：

• I feel it is my civic duty to vote.我认为投票选举是我作为公民的义务。
• The civic leaders helped to forward the project.市政府领导者协助促进工程的进展。

7 delegation   

n.代表团；派遣

参考例句：

• The statement of our delegation was singularly appropriate to the occasion.我们代表团的声明非常适合时宜。
• We shall inform you of the date of the delegation's arrival.我们将把代表团到达的日期通知你。

8 luncheon   

n.午宴，午餐，便宴

参考例句：

• We have luncheon at twelve o'clock.我们十二点钟用午餐。
• I have a luncheon engagement.我午饭有约。