Durbin Statement On The Passing Of Billy Lawless Sr.
SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement on the passing of Billy Lawless Sr.:
“Billy Lawless Sr. was part of a long line of Irish immigrants to Chicago who made America a better nation. In the competitive world of hospitality and restaurants, he and his children worked hard to succeed and excel in Chicago.
“I came to know Billy through his passionate advocacy for immigrants. Billy found a way to strike a balance between that man from Ireland who loved where he was born and that American businessman who also loved the nation that gave his family a chance to succeed.
“When he and his wife Anne became American citizens, I knew there would be more to Billy’s story. When he was appointed an Irish Senator representing the diaspora, he was able to bridge the two lands he loved.
“When his health faltered, he went home to Galway to be around his family and longtime friends. But he returned to visit me in Washington when his grandson graduated from Georgetown and the fires of immigration passion were still there.
“I will miss Billy, a truly Irish American.”
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