UN General Assembly
1960

I should like to begin this statement, by expressing the sincere feeling of gratification which the Philippine delegation and I personally share with others over Mr. Boland’s election to the presidency of the Assembly. We see in him a worthy embodiment of the sterling qualities of the Irish nation, whose fierce love of liberty the whole world has long held in deep respect and admiration. We hope that with him at the helm the ship of the United Nations will successfully weather the storms of angry debate that have developed here and avoid the shoals of dangerous conflict that lie across its course. May it eventually reach, under his steady hand, the haven of harmony and reconciliation. 72. We also welcome the representatives of the newly independent countries that have recently joined the growing family of the United Nations. Their presence here today is an eloquent tribute to the understanding and good will of the metropolitan Powers concerned as well as to the efforts of the United Nations to promote and defend the freedom of peoples everywhere,