Several months ago, I had the good fortune to be included in President Clinton's delegation for his historic trip to Northern Ireland. It was an extraordinary few days. I'm sure you saw the TV coverage of the crowds that followed the President wherever he went, cheering him on and wishing him well.

Most important was the impact his visit had on the peace process. There's no doubt that President Clinton was key to putting the peace talks back on track - and that his continued involvement will help to keep them there.

I came home more hopeful about peace in Northern Ireland and even more convinced of the importance of our work with Project Children. Now, more than ever, we need to continue our attempts to build a bridge of communication and understanding between the Catholic and Protestant communities.

This fall, in a joint program with Habitat for humanity, we brought two dozen young trainees from Northern Ireland to Washington, DC to build homes for low-income families. The skills they acquired here will help them find employment back home. They stayed in the U.S. for eight weeks and returned to Northern Ireland the same day that President Clinton arrived in Belfast. Just off the plane, they were able to meet the Presidential delegation, which included leaders from US trade unions that had given them valuable help during their stay in America. It was quite a homecoming!

Like all Project Children groups, this one was a mix of Protestants and Catholics. Just as important as the homes they built and the construction skills they acquired, the trainees managed to cross divides that separate them back home. They became a close-knit, hardworking, generous cadre of young adults who left behind a large American fan club. They returned home with a wish to be part of the ongoing reconciliation process in Northern Ireland.

Project Children started with young school-age boys and girls and that will always remain our focus. But we're starting important new pilot programs (like the Habitat project and last summer's Congressional observation tour) that are making a profound difference in the lives of older teens and young adults. We're discovering that all our programs can have a ripple effect especially in the post-ceasefire environment. As young Project Children participants form friendships across the Catholic/Protestant divide, so too are their parents reaching out past old divisions and hatreds.

As I look forward to our 21st year, I am grateful for all the support you have given. You have helped create a foundation on which true peace can be built. You can take pride in what's been accomplished, and you can face the challenging days that lie ahead with confidence and hope.

Thank you and God bless,