A member of President Bill Clinton's cabinet has been made Cavan Man of the Year - which might just make the president a bit jealous, as he now likes to brag about "my people" when referring to Ireland. Education Secretary, Dick Riley was presented with a Cavan Crystal bowl at the Washington home of Tom Halton and Stella O'Leary recently where Cavan natives were assembled from as far as Baltimore for an evening of wine, food and song.
Riley, a former governor of South Carolina and frequent visitor to Ireland, is among those tipped to succeed Jean Kennedy Smith as ambassador here. Asked about it, he replies he has much to do in the education field but . . .
He is close to the US president, who joined in his 65th birthday celebrations, but the presidential high-profile pet, puppy Buddy, who came too, proceeded to eat the plants in Riley's office.
All this happened before the latest bimbo eruption which has created doubts about Clinton's future. Certainly the Government here hopes he holds out, for many reasons. He has been a good friend to Ireland, and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is booked to renew acquantances with him and do a bit of lobbying on our behalf in Washington on St Patrick's Day. It wouldn't be the same if Bill isn't there.