IV 

115TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 207 

Expressing the continued support of the House of Representatives for the 

Good Friday Agreement (the Belfast Agreement). 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MARCH 17, 2017 

Mr. KEATING (for himself, Mr. NEAL, Mr. CROWLEY, Mr. MEEKS, Mr. 

BRENDAN F. BOYLE of Pennsylvania, Mr. KING of New York, and Mr. 

CONNOLLY) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 

Committee on Foreign Affairs 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing the continued support of the House of Representatives for the Good Friday Agreement (the Belfast 

Agreement). 

Whereas, on April 10, 1998, the Good Friday Agreement 

reached by the Government of Ireland, the Government 

of the United Kingdom, and the political party leaders of 

Northern Ireland provided for the devolution of government from the United Kingdom to local institutions in 

Northern Ireland, created the democratically elected 

Northern Ireland Assembly and democratically accountable Executive Committee; 

Whereas the people of both Northern Ireland and Ireland, in 

a referendum on May 22, 1998, voted overwhelmingly in 


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•HRES 207 IH 

favor of the Good Friday Agreement, and the accord 

went into effect on December 2, 1999; 

Whereas the completion of the Good Friday Agreement 

marked a historic political development that paved the 

way for future relations within Northern Ireland, between 

Ireland and Northern Ireland, and between Ireland and 

Britain, and provided hope for a peaceful resolution of a 

longstanding conflict; 

Whereas the Good Friday Agreement allows for the peaceful 

and democratic expression of political differences and the 

protection and vindication of the human rights of all; 

Whereas the United States Government through administrations and congressional leadership of both parties has 

consistently reaffirmed its commitment, including 

through support for the International Fund for Ireland 

and the appointment of successive Peace Envoys, to assist in building a strong society, vibrant economy, and 

enduring peace in Northern Ireland; 

Whereas continued United States engagement in the Northern Ireland peace process is vital to safeguarding the 

gains made since the Good Friday Agreement; 

Whereas the 2016 referendum in Britain to leave the European Union has heightened concerns about the future of 

the Good Friday Agreement and sustained peace in 

Northern Ireland; 

Whereas the power-sharing Executive and Assembly have a 

prominent role to play in the wake of the British referendum and in reaching decisions about how Britain’s 

exit from the European Union will be implemented and 

affect Northern Ireland; 


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•HRES 207 IH 

Whereas the free flow of persons across open borders between 

Ireland and Britain has been a fundamental part of promoting peace and unity throughout the implementation of 

the Good Friday Agreement; and 

Whereas divisions still remain within Northern Ireland, its 

communities, and among its political parties, which underscores the importance of upholding the letter and spirit of the Good Friday Agreement: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) reaffirms support for the Good Friday 

3 Agreement as the essential framework for the con4 tinued advancement of partnership, reconciliation, 

5 tolerance, and mutual trust, in Northern Ireland; 

6 and 

7 (2) encourages the Irish and British Govern8 ments, as well as the Northern Ireland political par9 ties, to continue to uphold and respect the provisions 

10 of the Good Friday Agreement throughout the forth11 coming Brexit negotiations and to ensure that future 

12 European Union-United Kingdom and Ireland13 United Kingdom negotiations give priority attention 

14 to protecting the gains of the peace process in 

15 Northern Ireland. 

Æ 


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