III 

110TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 209 

Expressing support for the new power-sharing government in Northern 

Ireland. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

MAY 17, 2007 

Mr. KENNEDY (for himself, Mr. DODD, Mr. BIDEN, Ms. COLLINS, Mr. 

KERRY, Mrs. CLINTON, Mr. LEAHY, Mr. MCCAIN, Mr. SCHUMER, Mr. 

SMITH, and Mr. OBAMA) submitted the following resolution; which was 

considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for the new power-sharing government 

in Northern Ireland. 

Whereas, on May 8, 2007, the Reverend Ian Paisley and 

Martin McGuinness became Northern Ireland’s first minister and deputy first minister, marking the beginning of 

a new era of power-sharing; 

Whereas Reverend Paisley, the Democratic Unionist leader, 

and Mr. McGuinness, the Sinn Fe ́in negotiator, have put 

aside decades of conflict and moved towards historic reconciliation and unity in Northern Ireland; 

Whereas, on May 8, 2007, Reverend Paisley declared, ‘‘I believe that Northern Ireland has come to a time of peace, 

a time when hate will no longer rule.’’; 


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•SRES 209 ATS 

Whereas Mr. McGuinness declared this new government to be 

‘‘a fundamental change of approach, with parties moving 

forward together to build a better future for the people 

that we represent’’; 

Whereas British Prime Minister Tony Blair declared that 

‘‘today marks not just the completion of the transition 

from conflict to peace, but also gives the most visible expression to the fundamental principle on which the peace 

process has been based. The acceptance that the future 

of Northern Ireland can only be governed successfully by 

both communities working together, equal before the law, 

equal in the mutual respect shown by all and equally 

committed both to sharing power and to securing peace. 

That is the only basis upon which true democracy can 

function and by which normal politics can at last after 

decades of violence and suffering come to this beautiful 

but troubled land.’’; 

Whereas the Taoiseach of Ireland, Bertie Ahern, declared 

that ‘‘on this day, we mark the historic beginning of a 

new era for Northern Ireland. An era founded on peace 

and partnership. An era of new politics and new realities.’’; and 

Whereas President George W. Bush, like his predecessor 

President William J. Clinton, has worked tirelessly to 

bring the parties in Northern Ireland together in support 

of fulfilling the promises of the Good Friday Accords. 

Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that— 

2 (1) the United States stands strongly in sup3 port of the new power-sharing government in North4 ern Ireland; 


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1 (2) political leaders of Northern Ireland, Prime 

2 Minister Tony Blair, and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern 

3 should be commended for acting in the best interest 

4 of the people of Northern Ireland by forming the 

5 new power-sharing government; 

6 (3) May 8, 2007, will be remembered as an his7 toric day and an important milestone in cementing 

8 peace and unity for Northern Ireland and a shining 

9 example for nations around the world plagued by in10 ternal conflict and violence; and 

11 (4) the United States stands ready to support 

12 this new government and to work with the people of 

13 Northern Ireland as they achieve their goal of last14 ing peace for those who reside in Northern Ireland. 

Æ 


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