The origins of the Ad Hoc Committee go as far back as September, 2014 when Congressman James Walsh organized a sign on letter to then First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuiness noting a growing concern about the lack of progress on the peace process. In the letter signed by ten prominent Irish Americans they wrote “During the Peace Process, even at its darkest hour, Unionist and Nationalists alike recognized and appreciated the American role. They thanked us for shining a bright light on the process and keeping the outside world focused on the developments. The light is back on and we pledge our help going forward.”
In the intervening years between 2014 and 2019 this small core group of Irish Americans including the late Paul Quinn would act as an informal Advisory Committee to key State Department officials covering Northern Ireland and meet with the Foreign Ministers of Ireland on their visits to Washington, D.C. In 2014 Secretary of State John Kerry appointed former U.S.Senator Gary Hart as his Personal Representative for Northern Ireland. As a result this core group of Irish Americans would meet with Secretary Hart when he came to Washington, D.C. to meet State Dept Officials.
Related news articles:
theguardian.com: Former senator Gary Hart named as US special envoy to Northern Ireland [2014]
irishtimes.com: US secretary of state appoints former senator as envoy to NI [2014]
AdHocGFA.org 