Ulsterman honoured for services to Northern Ireland
Sir Reg Empey, Leader, Ulster Unionist Party, at the National Press Club, Washington DC, today presented the 2006 UUP Distinguished Service & Leadership Award to Tony R. Culley-Foster, President, CFCO International, Washington DC, in recognition of his outstanding commitment to the cause of peace in Northern Ireland.
Mr. Culley-Foster was born in Londonderry, Northern Ireland and his family is from Derry and Donegal. He emigrated to the US in 1971 and is an internationally recognized businessman, educator, athlete, executive coach and motivational speaker.
Past recipients of this honor are the Global Citizens Circle (the internationally respected Dunfey family from New England) and Richard Haass, Chairman, Council on Foreign Relations (former Director of Policy Planning, and President Bush’s former envoy on Northern Ireland and Ireland, at the US Department of State).
The citation of the UUP Award to Mr. Culley-Foster stated: “It is an honor to recognize your tireless dedication to peace, culture, education, economic development and investment in N. Ireland.
In 1995, unsolicited, you donated a Washington DC office, staff and resource support to the UUP.
Your generous decision came at a critical geopolitical juncture in US-NI relations. It gave the Ulster Unionist Party a professional platform to promote our political priorities to government, public policy, association, business and press and media sources in the United States. Importantly, it resulted in our ability to develop a Unionist leadership role in North America.
The UUP Award is given in recognition of your exemplary voluntary service, corporate social responsibility and a leadership commitment to help secure a permanent peace and better tomorrow for all the people of Northern Ireland.”
Mr. Culley-Foster said, “I am humbled to accept this Award on behalf of my family in Ulster; and Anglo-Irish-Americans who are committed to peace, freedom, democracy, reconciliation and progress on integrated education in N. Ireland; through the casting of informed votes at the ballot box.”