WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama tapped Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney as U.S. ambassador to Ireland, marking St. Patrick's Day with the surprise nomination and a special welcome for Irish leaders -- White House fountains that ran green for a day.

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“I am honored and grateful that such a dedicated and accomplished individual has agreed to serve as the representative of the United States to the Irish people," Obama said. "Dan Rooney is an unwavering supporter of Irish peace, culture and education, and I have every confidence that he and Secretary (Hillary) Clinton will ensure America’s continued close and unique partnership with Ireland in the years ahead.”

"It's an honor really to have the opportunity to work with President Obama, and to serve my country, the United States of America," Rooney told Channel 11 News after his nomination. "It's just a thrill. I've been going to Ireland for over 40 years now. I would be representing the United States."

Rooney, who is part Irish, knows Ireland almost as well as he knows Pittsburgh. He and his wife have been traveling there for 40 years.

When asked what the highlight of his year was, the Steelers' Super Bowl victory last month or being named ambassador, Rooney said, "They're all great. Everything is great."

What does this mean for the Pittsburgh Steelers? Rooney said, speaking about his son Art Rooney Jr., that the franchise will be taken care of just fine.

"That's in good hands. Art has been running the day to day operations for awhile. They've got good people, and I think they're in good hands," said Rooney.

Rooney attended the American Ireland Fund's 2009 gala Monday evening and received the lifetime achievement award.

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REACTION:

Rooney's brother Art Rooney Jr. talked to Channel 11 News following Obama's announcement.

"Dan is a Republican but a very big supporter of President Obama," said Art Rooney Jr. "It really is a very big honor for us. Like I said, we are just a bunch of North Siders that went to the Catholic school, and we're lucky enough to have the football team. My dad always said to us: 'You are about the luckiest stiffs I ever knew from anywhere.'"

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"I am thrilled that President Obama has chosen Dan Rooney to be the United States ambassador to Ireland," Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato said Tuesday. "On behalf of the residents of Allegheny County, I congratulate Mr. Rooney on this well-deserved honor, and of course, I wish him a happy St. Patrick's Day."

“Today is a proud day for Pittsburgh and the nation," said Rep. Tim Murphy, R-18th District. "As Ireland has faced and overcome so much adversity, I can think of no one better than Mr. Rooney, who has worked so hard for so many decades to see Ireland succeed, to be named U.S. ambassador to Ireland. This is a day of incredible pride for those in Pittsburgh and all of Pennsylvania."

"We are all extremely happy for my father to possibly have the opportunity to be considered to serve our country as ambassador to Ireland. If selected, he will do an outstanding job," Rooney's son and Steelers President Art Rooney II said in a statement.

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HISTORY:

In 1976, Rooney co-founded the American Ireland Fund, an organization that to date has raised more than $300 million for peace and education programs in Ireland.

"I will say I am very proud of what the Ireland Fund has done over 35 years. We've had a lot of ups and downs. We were criticized in the beginning. We were picketed," Rooney said in his acceptance speech.

He also founded the annual prize for Irish Literature in 1987 and co-founded the Ireland Institution of Pittsburgh in 1989. In 1993, the “Rooney Fellowship” was created to honor his generosity and charitable works.

Rooney's father, Arthur J. Rooney, founded the team in 1933. Dan Rooney took over the presidency of the team in 1975 and is a Hall of Fame owner. His Steelers won Super Bowl XLIII against the Arizona Cardinals in February to become the first team to win six Super Bowl championships.

The "Rooney Rule," which requires any team with a head coaching vacancy to interview at least one minority candidate, was developed by an NFL committee Rooney chaired.