Trina Vargo: John Hume was decades ahead of everyone else

As Senator Ted Kennedy’s foreign policy adviser in the 1990s, I was heavily involved in the Northern Ireland peace process.
By Trina Vargo
Published 5th Aug 2020, 00:19 BST
Updated 5th Aug 2020, 01:21 BST
Edward Kennedy with John Hume during the US senator's visit to the Bogside in 1998. Senator Kennedy’s foreign policy adviser Trina Vargo says it was an honour to work with Mr Hume over the yearsEdward Kennedy with John Hume during the US senator's visit to the Bogside in 1998. Senator Kennedy’s foreign policy adviser Trina Vargo says it was an honour to work with Mr Hume over the years
Edward Kennedy with John Hume during the US senator's visit to the Bogside in 1998. Senator Kennedy’s foreign policy adviser Trina Vargo says it was an honour to work with Mr Hume over the years

I continued to work with John after founding the US-Ireland Alliance and the George J. Mitchell Scholarship program in 1998.

For all the contributions that many made, no one did more to bring peace to Northern Ireland than John Hume.

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His vision was decades ahead of everyone else. His commitment never wavered, he just had to wait for everyone else to catch up with him.

Letter to the editorLetter to the editor
Letter to the editor

It was an honour to have worked with him. John could be who he was, and do what he did, because of steadfast support of his fantastic wife, Pat.

My thoughts are with Pat and their family at this time.

Tina Vargo, Washington DC

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Related topics:John HumeNorthern Ireland