An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will addresses the Joint Houses of Congress on Capitol Hill today, starting 4pm Irish local time.
Bertie will be the sixth Irish leader to address a joint meeting of the US Congress.
The invitation was issued by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi in recognition of his work on the the north of Ireland peace process.
Mr Ahern's speech is expected to make reference to US assistance in achieving peace in Ireland. He is also expected to refer to the unresolved issue of illegal Irish in the US.
Bertie presents President Bush the shamrock bowl on St Patrick's day.
Mr Ahern will become the sixth political leader from the State and the first Fianna Fáil Taoiseach to give such an address.
Previous Irish leaders to address America.
President Seán T Ó Ceallaigh - 18 March 1959
In March 1959, as his Presidential term drew to a close, Sean T Ó Ceallaigh became the first Irish President to address the Joint Houses of Congress.
President Eamon De Valera - 28 May 1964
Less than a year after John F Kennedy's triumphant visit to Ireland and just over six months after his assassination in Dallas, President De Valera travelled to the US.
Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave - 17 March 1976 - Watch
The son of WT Cosgrave, who addressed a one-chamber congressional reception in 1928, Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave arrived in Washington on the bicentennial of the US Declaration of Independence.
Taoiseach Garret FitzGerald - 15 March 1984 - Watch
In a short 21 minute speech that was punctuated by bursts of applause and followed by a standing ovation, Taoiseach Garret FitzGerald became the 19th foreign leader to address a joint meeting of Congress.
Taoiseach John Bruton - 11 September 1996 - Watch
The backdrop to John Bruton's address to the Joint Meeting of Congress in September 1996 was the painstaking efforts, in Ireland, Britain and the US, to build and maintain a fragile peace process.
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Delivering an address to a Joint Meeting of Congress is considered a high honour and will push Ireland and Mr Ahern into Washington's political limelight.
When Mr Ahern finishes his speech, Ireland will become one of just six nations whose leaders have spoken before Congress six times or more.
Earlier today RTE's Chief News Correspondent Charlie Bird says Mr Ahern was awoken by the US Secret Service at 4.20am (9.20am Irish time) and told they believed there was a fire in a generator a floor above him. Mr Ahern said that everybody walked down the stairs in an orderly fashion without any panic.
He said there was a strong smell of smoke in the roof of the Renaissance Mayflower hotel just above him.
The whole party is understood to be somewhat shaken by the experience.
Ahead of his visit, Speaker Nancy Pelosi praised Mr Ahern as a 'tremendously innovative leader'. She also praised the Taoiseach's leadership in the the north of Ireland peace process.
'He presides over an economy that is the envy of Europe. We look forward to welcoming him back to the US and hearing his vision for continued friendship between our two nations.'
Bertie Ahern attended his final Cabinet meeting as Taoiseach today before setting off for the US.
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