Mr. Boyle And Mr. Boyle Go To Washington
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The only elected brothers in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives will be attending an annual White House dinner on Thursday for St. Patrick's Day.
State Representatives Democrats Brendan Boyle, from Philadelphia's 172nd House District, and his brother Kevin Boyle, from the 170th district, are first generation Irish-Americans.
Brendan says their father came to this country more than 40 years ago in search of a better life.
"He came here when he was 19. Came from Donegal and came straight to Philadelphia looking for greater economic opportunity," Brendan Boyle said.
The annual St. Patrick's Day dinner at the White House is attended by the president, leaders of Ireland and Irish-American elected officials.
"That ceremony was started under president Clinton was carried through President Bush and President Obama has kept that tradition going and it shows the close bond that exist between the people of the United States and the people of Ireland," Boyle said.
Boyle says he and his brother are happy to represent Philadelphia's Irish community at the White House.
Reported by John McDevitt, KYW Newsradio