WASHINGTON -- Pittsburgh Steelers Chairman Dan Rooney was officially sworn-in in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday as the new U.S. Ambassador to Ireland.
The ceremony is took place in the Treaty Room of the U.S. State Department.
As Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton introduced Rooney, she said Pittsburgh is "rich in arts and culture, and of course, it continues to shine in sports," specifically mentioning this year's record-breaking sixth Super Bowl title for the Steelers and Stanley Cup victory by the Penguins.
"I could not be more delighted than to make official what is going to be so well-received in Ireland and means so much to Americans," Clinton said of Rooney's appointment. "We may be meeting in Washington, but the city at the heart of today's celebration is Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania."
"In recent years, Pittsburgh has staged a remarkable comeback," Clinton said. "It has made such great strides in transforming its economy and developing its high-tech sector, and those are accomplishments that led President Obama to select Pittsburgh as the site for the meeting of the G-20 this September."
Clinton said Pittsburgh's accomplishments make it a great place to showcase America to the world.
"We may be meeting in Washington, but the city at the heart of today's celebration is Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania," Clinton said.
"It is, I think, an understatement to say with the Pittsburgh Penguins winning their third Stanley Cup, and, of course, the Steelers winning the Super Bowl for a record-breaking sixth time, the site of Pittsburgh is not only a great place to showcase businesses but also the success of American sports as well," Clinton said.
In his remarks to the crowd, which included Rooney's wife, Patricia, and a number of Rooney's children and grandchildren, Rooney thanked the president for his appointment. He also praised Secretary Clinton and President Bill Clinton for their work in aiding the Irish peace process.
"All I want to do, Madam Secretary, is to promise you that we, Patricia and I, will do everything possible to maintain the great relationship between Ireland and America," Rooney said.
Rooney has not said exactly when he will be stepping down as the Steelers' chairman or when he will move to Ireland to begin his new job.
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