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Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney was confirmed Thursday night by the Senate as ambassador to the Republic of Ireland.

The nomination of Rooney, 76 — who was lauded this week by Sens. Bob Casey of Scranton and Arlen Specter of Philadelphia as a natural diplomat, caring philanthropist and doting father — was approved by a voice vote.

Rooney, a North Sider who still walks to work at Heinz Field, has agreed to step down from his daily role as chairman of the Steelers, his only employer since 1955. Steelers President Art Rooney II, his son, said the team's operations won't change.

Dave Lockett, Steelers spokesman, said Dan Rooney had no immediate comment.

The lifelong Republican used his Steelers cachet while campaigning across Pennsylvania on behalf of Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, who captured the state in his march to the White House.

Officials from the United States and Ireland, where Rooney is known for philanthropic work, praised his nomination. They credited the American Ireland Funds, which Rooney co-founded in 1976, with playing an integral role in the Northern Ireland peace process.

The international foundation supports 200 programs in Ireland that work to bring together Catholics and Protestants. The foundation has raised $300 million since its founding, said CEO Kieran McLoughlin. Rooney visits the country every year to check on the programs and meet with local leaders, McLoughlin said.

In a brief hearing Wednesday before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Rooney, whose ancestors emigrated from Newry in Northern Ireland, pledged to travel widely.

He promised to help woo American corporations to invest in Ireland and persuade Irish companies to set up shop in the United States.

Rooney's father, Arthur J. Rooney, founded the Steelers in 1933. Dan Rooney took over the presidency of the team in 1975 and is a Hall of Fame owner.

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. Rooney has also participated in labor negotiations between the league and players.

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