A US politician's bid to declare July 'Ulster-Scots Heritage Month' in Pennsylvania has been welcomed by DUP leader-designate Sir Jeffrey Donaldson.
Democrat Kevin J Boyle, a member of the House of Representatives, said he was proud to honour the "Ulster-Scots heritage and legacy" across the US, Ireland, Britain and the world.
Mr Boyle, whose father was born in Co Donegal, received support for his resolution from fellow Pennsylvania representative Republican Ryan Mackenzie.
The Democratic representative said Mr Mackenzie's surname indicated he is of "proud Scottish or Ulster-Scottish background", while Mr Boyle said his family's origins "emanate from the other of Ulster's two proud traditions – the Gael".
"While the people of Ulster and its descendants across the world are a proud and accomplished people, any discussion of Ulster heritage would be off-mark if it did not acknowledge suffering from conflict that has occurred over the last 400 or 800 years, depending on your perspective," Mr Boyle said.
"This legacy of hurt, so many families have experienced, was well captured by Prince Charles as he so graciously described the hurt his family experienced during the Troubles."
He said tensions had increased recently due to the British government's "decision to leave the European Union".
He added that Irish-Americans would be "well served" if they understood the contribution of Ulster Scots culture to the US.
Sir Jeffrey tweeted that as a "proud Ulster Scot", the initiative was "very welcome".
"I look forward to engaging with you and your colleagues on the (Capitol) Hill as we seek to build those stronger ties," he said.
