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Published: Nov 22, 2006

Patricia Noone Bonner

Only one thing wrong,Sen. Arlen Specter observed as he accepted a crystal decanter as an honorary inductee into the Delaware Valley Irish Hall of Fame. "There's nothing in it," he said.

The guests who crowded into the Philadelphia Irish Center Sunday night to honor the senator—and four leading local Irish Americans—appreciated the sentiment, and they responded with applause and laughter.

But the reason for Specter's award was serious business. On a night set aside to honor immigrants and those descended from immigrants, Specter—the son of Russian and Ukrainian parents—was singled out for his steadfast support of legislation to resolve the longstanding issue of illegal immigration in the 21st century.

Specter acknowledged the debt we owe to those who came to America to begin new lives as he recalled the story of his father's own journey. "The czar wanted to send my father to Siberia. He didn't want to go," Specter told the crowd in a humorous aside. "He heard it was cold there. He wanted to go to Kansas. It was a close call."

He reminded the 400-plus guests that those who oppose a reasonable immigration bill "tend to forget that we are a nation of immigrants." He said a bill is unlikely to pass between now and the end of the term, but he held out hope that the McCain-Kennedy Bill, which would establish a path to citizenship for some illegal immigrants—including the 50,000 undocumented Irish in the United States—might meet a better reception in the next Congress.

Immigrants and their contributions were not far from anyone's minds as the Hall of Fame panel honored several others, including:

County Mayo's own Mickey Cavanaugh, who was recognized posthumously for his great contributions to the Philadelphia Irish community. Cavanaugh was treasurer of the Federation of the American Society for Irish Independence, and he was instrumental in securing the present Mount Airy site for the Irish Center back in 1957. He was the Center's first president. He also served the U.S. in the Army during World War II and Korea, rising from buck private to major. He was also president of the Gaelic Athletic Association and treasurer of the St. Patrick's Day Observance Association.
Patricia Noone Bonner, whose father Martin Noone was a member of the East Mayo Brigade and forced to leave Ireland in 1924. The apple doesn;t fall very far from the tree. Bonner is single-mindedly dedicated to the cause of a United Ireland. She has been active in Clan na Gael, Irish Northern Aid, the Irish Political Children's Holiday, and the Irish Immigration and Pastoral Center.
Grays Ferry's own Paul J. Phillips Jr., with deep roots in Donegal. Paul served in the U.S. Navy Air Force during the Second World War. He's a member of the DeSoto Council, Knights of Columbus and a past president of the Men of Malvern. He has been associated with the St. Patrick's Day Parade for nearly 50 years, serving as treasurer for 43 years, president in 1989-1990, and grand marshal in 1995.
James J. White IV, who was honored for his work with the Philadelphia Irish Famine Memorial. White's firm, the JJ White Co., prepared the gardens, walkways and the statue's foundation.

The award ceremony was the centerpiece of a festive evening, presided over musically by Vincent Gallagher, who hatched the Hall of Fame idea in the first place.

For those who were there, it was a great night. How great?
Check out the pictures.