Every Pittsburgher should applaud this appointment

Two March 19 letters attempted to denigrate Dan Rooney's appointment as our ambassador to Ireland. Gary J. Paduana's claim ("Rooney Rooked") that Mr. Rooney was duped into supporting President Barack Obama in return for the appointment can be dismissed as the political bilge that it is.

Tom Joyce ("Misplaced Honors") insinuated that Mr. Rooney "bought" the appointment. This is a direct insult to one who co-founded the Ireland Fund, supported peace efforts in Ireland for decades, quietly funded a literary journal in Dublin, strove unswervingly to end racial discrimination in the NFL, has a deserved reputation for just dealings in business matters and has made significant contributions to education and the arts in Pittsburgh and beyond.

The only other Pittsburgher to have been named an ambassador (to Canada in the first Nixon administration) in recent history was Adolph Schmidt, who was also a benefactor of education and the arts locally and nationally.

Dan Rooney, like Mr. Schmidt, earned and deserves the rank of ambassador, and his appointment should be applauded by all (and particularly by Pittsburghers) in a spirit of true civic pride.

 

SAMUEL HAZO
Upper St. Clair