Visit by President Michael D. Higgins to the United States, May 8-14

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President Michael D. Higgins made his second official visit to the United States since entering Office, from Thursday 8 to Wednesday 14 May, 2014. He was accompanied by his wife, Sabina Higgins.

The visit included official engagements in Chicago, Illinois and Bloomington, Indiana.

The President met with Mayor of Chicago, Mr Rahm Emanuel and the Governor of Illinois, Mr Pat Quinn. He also met with members of Chicago’s Irish-American business community at an event hosted by the Chicago Board of the American Ireland Fund. The President delivered an address at an event co-hosted by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago, in partnership with a number of Irish community and other local organisations.

A central element of the President's visit was his engagement with Chicago’s Irish community. He visited Chicago Gaelic Park and the Chicago Irish American Heritage Centre, which included a meeting with the Chicago Irish Immigrant Support organisation. At his alma mater, Indiana University in Bloomington, he delivered the annual commencement ceremony address and was presented with an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters