Ollie Crowe (Fianna Fail)

I welcome Anne, Amy and family and friends here today. Billy was a fellow Galwegian and someone I had the privilege of knowing for the majority of my life. He was a gentleman who valued family above all else, which is what led to his move to the United States in the late nineties after his daughter won a rowing scholarship to Boston College. Billy was a noted oarsman as a young man and was very involved with rowing in Galway city. Billy and Anne were very successful in Chicago, building a number of successful hospitality businesses and creating hundreds of jobs. He was a stalwart of the Irish community there and he helped so many who moved to Chicago. Anyone visiting was also sure to get a warm reception from Billy. Indeed, he was such a role model in the community that when then President Barack Obama held a rally on an immigration issue in the city in 2014, he asked Billy to introduce him. Billy was also vital in fostering the sister city relationship between Galway and Chicago. In recognition of his great efforts, Galway City Council gave him the freedom of our city in 2015. Of course, he was perhaps best known for being a tireless voice for the diaspora and the undocumented Irish, work that he continued to do as a Senator from 2016 to 2020. Billy was presented a presidential distinguished service award for Irish community support, which he so richly deserved.

Above all, Billy was a proud Irishman and Galway man. He was a family man and a gentleman whose kindness and decency will be long remembered. He made a significant impact on both US and Irish politics, as well as in the hospitality sector in Chicago, which his family proudly continues to do. He will be remembered fondly for many years to come. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.