CONGRESS SKETCH:A half-full house heard a few words of advice and a plea on behalf of the undocumented, writes Denis Staunton.
AS THE Taoiseach was about to arrive at the House of Representatives yesterday morning, ushers were patrolling the aisles, frantically directing congressional pages and visitors to empty seats in the chamber.
It was a busy working day on Capitol Hill and most members stayed away from the Taoiseach's speech.
But what his congressional audience lacked in numbers, it made up for in political firepower.
The most powerful figures in both parties came to hear Mr Ahern, with House speaker Nancy Pelosi and father of the Senate Robert Byrd at the podium and Senate majority leader
Harry Reid, Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell, House majority leader Steny Hoyer and House minority leader John Boehner among the Taoiseach's escorts.
Other escorts from the Senate included judicial affairs chairman Patrick Leahy, Edward Kennedy, John Kerry, Bob Casey, Chris Dodd and Susan Collins.
Escorts from the House included Friends of Ireland chairman Richard Neal, Jim Walsh, Peter King, James Clyburn and Rahm Emmanuel.
Mr Ahern made a brisk entrance, shaking a few hands and exchanging smiles with congressmen and senators before Ms Pelosi rapped her gavel twice to call the house to order.
"I have the high privilege and distinct honour of presenting to you Bertie Ahern, the Taoiseach and prime minister of Ireland," she declared.
As he approached the podium to a standing ovation, the Taoiseach looked to his left, where Irish political colleagues and officials were seated in the chamber. Above them, in the gallery, sat his daughter Cecilia and dozens of well-wishers from Dublin.
Yesterday's address was an important personal moment for Mr Ahern but he acknowledged in the first words of his speech that it was a tribute to his country too and to the unique relationship between Ireland and the United States.
The Taoiseach briefly rehearsed the history of Irish migration to America before plunging directly into one of the most fraught policy areas in the US - immigration reform.
Campaigners for undocumented Irish immigrants in the US complained last month that the Taoiseach had abandoned their cause, demanding to know why he had not asked directly for a deal that could regularise their status.
He not only asked for such a deal yesterday but told his American audience that Ireland's own recent experience of immigration meant that we understood the challenges it presents.
As the EU's ambassador to the US, former taoiseach John Bruton, leaned forward in his seat, Mr Ahern spoke of his belief in the European Union as a force for development, stability and peace in the world and called for a Yes vote in the forthcoming referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.
Few US politicians take an interest in the EU and many are suspicious of multilateralism but the Taoiseach told them that Ireland sees the world differently, calling for "a true spirit of global citizenship" that complements national pride.
"Ireland believes in multilateral institutions. We believe in the United Nations. We believe in the European Union. And we believe in multilateral action."
Mr Ahern is viewed in the US primarily as one of the architects of the Belfast Agreement and he received his first standing ovation yesterday when he declared that "Ireland is at peace".
He went beyond what has become a ritual of thanks to the Americans who helped the peace process, however, urging the US not to retreat into isolationism.
"Do not underestimate the good you have done. Do not forget the legacy you have forged," he said.
"And if ever you doubt America's place in the world, or hesitate about your power to influence events for the better, look to Ireland."
Everyone listening to Mr Ahern yesterday knew he was about to leave office and they knew why he was leaving.
Many of the distinguished figures before him had faced their own political upheavals and scandals and they listened closely as the Taoiseach spoke about the role of politicians in seeking to improve their societies.
"These are the very essence of politics.
"That is why, for all our faults as human beings, we seek the honour of representing the people," he said.
Then Mr Ahern anticipated his final hours as Taoiseach, when he would stand "at the simple graves of the patriot dead" to commemorate those who proclaimed the Republic in 1916.
His final words in the Capitol echoed those of John F Kennedy on his inauguration as president in 1961.
"In history, as in politics and life, there are no ends, only new beginnings," Mr Ahern said.
"Let us begin."
As the audience rose in a lengthy standing ovation, Mr Ahern stood at the podium, neither smiling nor frowning but looking out before him.
He turned, shook hands with Ms Pelosi and Senator Byrd, walked smartly into the body of the chamber, shaking hands but exchanging few words.
He stopped to embrace Mr Kennedy, gave a few more brisk handshakes, signed a copy of his speech for a well-wisher, turned back for a moment as he reached the door and was gone.