George M. McKelvey Named as U.S. Observer With the International Fund for Ireland

WASHINGTON, March 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- George M. McKelvey has been named as U.S. Observer to the International Fund for Ireland (IFI). The observer represents the United States as a non-voting member at the IFI, communicating U.S. policy to the Fund. The European Union, Canada, Australia and New Zealand are also represented at IFI Board meetings by non-voting observers.

The IFI was established as an independent international organization by the governments of the United Kingdom and Ireland in 1986. The objectives of the fund are to promote economic and social advancement and to encourage contact, dialogue and reconciliation between nationalists and unionists throughout Ireland. U.S. government funding for the IFI was authorized by the Anglo-Irish Agreement Support Act of 1986. To date, the United States has contributed $421 million to the fund, making it the largest donor.

McKelvey served two terms as Mayor of Youngstown, Ohio, from 1998 to 2005. Prior to serving as mayor, he served two terms as the Treasurer of Mahoning County. He has also been a teacher, school administrator and city council member in Youngstown, Ohio.

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