Steelers chairman Dan Rooney honored by city of Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH — Thursday Dec. 20 was proclaimed Ambassador Daniel M. Rooney Day in the city of Pittsburgh.

Rooney was presented a proclamation by Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl at a ceremony at the City-County Building.

The proclamation honored Rooney, who recently stepped down as the U.S. ambassador to Ireland, for what he has done in Ireland, developing a strong relationship between the two countries, as well as what he has done for the Pittsburgh community.

"I was really pleased to represent our country and it was a tremendous honor to be able to do that under the guidance of the president," Rooney said.

Rooney was named ambassador in March 2008 after campaigning for President Barack Obama. Rooney said Thursday he feels like his time in Ireland was "well-served."

"I think we did accomplish a lot of things. The peace in Ireland I think was the biggest accomplishment of all," Rooney said.

Rooney told Channel 11's Vince Sims that he had fun times in Ireland, like when the Obamas visited last year.

"He shook hands with everybody in the town. I started to rain and I said, 'Mr. President, we better go in the pub,' and he said, 'No, no, I have to stay,'" Rooney said.

Rooney said now that he's back in Pittsburgh he plans to do as much community work as possible.

WPXI