Jim Lyons To Serve As 2008 Grand Marshal In The Colorado Springs St. Patrick's Day Parade
Date: 02/25/2008
Rothgerber Johnson & Lyons LLP is pleased to announce that senior partner Jim Lyons will serve as the 2008 Grand Marshall of the 25th Annual Colorado Springs St. Patrick's Day Parade. Mr. Lyons is well known for his vigorous efforts promoting peace in Northern Ireland through economic development. He also has extensive government relations and international trade and diplomatic experience from his work in Ireland and the United Kingdom for Economic Initiatives in Northern Ireland and the Border Counties of the Republic of Ireland.
Mr. Lyons served as the US Observer to the International Fund for Ireland (IFI) from 1993-2001 and, in 1997, he succeeded former Senator George Mitchell as Special Advisor for the President and Secretary of State for Economic Initiatives in Ireland. In this capacity, he served from 1997 to 2001. In these roles, Mr. Lyons worked to promote cross-community cooperation between the religious traditions and communities in the north of Ireland and was responsible for numerous economic initiatives in support of the peace process, including Aspire Micro Loans for Business, the first micro-enterprise loan fund in Western Europe. Mr. Lyons' work for economic development supported the Belfast Agreement signed by the Irish and British Governments in April 1998.
Commonly known as the "Good Friday Agreement," this document was a major political development in the Northern Ireland peace process. The Agreement reaffirmed the Governments’ total and absolute commitment to exclusively democratic and peaceful means of resolving political differences and has led to a restoration of shared government between the two communities. As a private citizen, Mr. Lyons continues to be active in promoting business partnerships and strategic alliances between Colorado and Northern Ireland communities and universities.
Mr. Lyons received an honorary doctorate of laws (LL.D.) from the University of Ulster, Belfast, Northern Ireland in recognition of his service "to the people of Northern Ireland in furtherance of peace and prosperity." As Grand Marshal, Mr. Lyons will oversee the community’s largest single day event. His family will join him as he is honored as this year’s Grand Marshal.