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Leaders in Pittsburgh for the Group of 20 summit need to focus on creating jobs and providing resources, such as income support, for people when they lose their jobs, Ambassador Dan Rooney said today.
"Despite the positive signs, we can't relax," he told a group of about 120 people gathered for a G-20 conference at Carnegie Mellon University. "No one is going spend (money) because of fears about losing their jobs."
The event marked Rooney's first formal address in his hometown since getting sworn in as the U.S. ambassador to Ireland in July. His life has changed so much that he came back to Pittsburgh to talk about economic issues — but is not staying in the country long enough to see his football team, the Steelers, play in Cincinnati Sunday.
As ambassador, Rooney does not have to take the job so seriously, but family members said they never expected anything less.
Rooney said he has made it his goal to hold a town hall-style meeting in every one of Ireland's counties, and that his staff often books the ambassador's residence with more than one public event or party at a time.
"If it wasn't a big job, which it is, Dan would make it one," said his brother Pat Rooney Sr., who also spends a lot of time working on nonprofit causes in Ireland each year. "You can bet the ambassador is working his butt off and doing everything an ambassador should do. He'll take it as seriously as you can take it."
Rooney's wife, Patricia, attended yesterday's event and said the couple has been adjusting to life so far from home, despite missing their 17 grandchildren. They have been back to the North Side three times, and some of their children have been to Ireland.
On the policy issues, Rooney said both Ireland and Pittsburgh offer valuable lessons for surviving the latest downturn in the economy.
Ireland had a great runup during the past decade but has fallen on hard times, while Pittsburgh suffered through hard times with the collapse of steel but has emerged on the strength of medical, technology and higher education industries.
"I hope Pittsburgh will not only be the positive turning point for the economy but will be known as the place we came together and made a better life for all," Rooney said.
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