The late former SDLP leader and Foyle MP John Hume and wife Pat
Organisers hope that US President Joe Biden will make a contribution to the virtual event which has been organised by the Irish Embassy in the US, along with the John and Pat Hume FOundation.
Other contributors will includ formers US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and politicians Richard Neal, Peter King and Jim Walsh.
Among the Irish contributors are former Irish president Mary McAleese, SDLP leader Colum Eastwood, former SDLP leader Mark Durkan, ex-UUP leader Mike Nesbitt and composer and musician Phi Coulter.
Hume Foundation spokesman Tim Attwood said the event was organised to marked the first St Patrick’s Day since Mr Hume’s death last August at the age of 83.
Over several decaades Nobel Peace Laureate John Hume had built up a strong relationship with the US administration and politians, culminating in the signing of the Good Friday Agreement.
Meanwhile, the White House has announced details of next week’s virtual meeting between Taoiseach Micheál Martin and US President Joe Biden.
According to the statement, the two leaders will reaffirm the deep, historic partnership and “extraordinary people-to-people ties” between the United States and Ireland on 17 March.
They will also discuss combating Covid-19, addressing global challenges, increasing shared prosperity, and supporting political and economic stability in Northern Ireland.
“Although the pandemic prevents the traditional White House celebration of St Patrick’s Day this year, we look forward to marking this holiday and our close relationship with Ireland in a safe way,” the statement concludes.
Traditionally, a bowl of shamrock is presented to the White House incumbent every year on March 17 by a visiting taoiseach.
Earlier this month, President Biden praised the contributions of Irish immigrants saying that they had helped define America’s soul and shaped the country’s success across generations.
Former US President Bill Clinton with John Hume
Micheál Martin declared that Joe Biden would be a “true friend of Ireland” when he was sworn in as the 46th US president on January 28.
“It is a day of history and hope and I look forward to forging ever closer ties between our two great nations,” the Taoiseach said.
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