H. Res. 482 

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

July 11, 2007. 

Whereas the Good Friday Agreement, signed on April 10, 

1998, in Belfast, and endorsed in a referendum by the 

overwhelming majority of people in Northern Ireland and 

the Republic of Ireland, set forth a blueprint for lasting 

peace in Northern Ireland; 

Whereas on May 8, 2007, leaders from the major political 

parties in Northern Ireland took office as part of an 

agreement to share power in accordance with the democratic mandate of the Good Friday Agreement; 

Whereas on May 8, 2007, 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 Dr. Paisley, the Democratic Unionist leader, and 

Mr. McGuinness, the Sinn Fein negotiator, have put 

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

Whereas on May 8, 2007, Dr. Paisley declared, ‘‘I believe 

that Northern Ireland has come to a time of peace, a 

time when hate will no longer rule.’’; 

Whereas Mr. McGuinness declared this new government to be 

‘‘a fundamental change of approach, with parties moving 
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•HRES 482 EH 

forward together to build a better future for the people 

that we represent’’; 

Whereas former British Prime Minister Tony Blair declared 

that ‘‘[T]oday 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 ‘‘[O]n 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.’’; 

Whereas both communities have worked together in a spirit 

of cooperation and mutual respect to solve the problems 

of concern to all the people of Northern Ireland, including the decision by all the major political parties to join 

the Northern Ireland Police Board and support the Police Service of Northern Ireland; 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 Agreement: 

Now, therefore, be it 
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•HRES 482 EH 

Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that— 

(1) the United States stands strongly in support of 

the new power-sharing government in Northern Ireland; 

(2) political leaders of Northern Ireland, former 

Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern 

should be commended for acting in the best interest of 

the people of Northern Ireland by forming the new 

power-sharing government; 

(3) May 8, 2007, will be remembered as an historic 

day and an important milestone in cementing peace and 

unity for Northern Ireland and a shining example for 

nations around the world plagued by internal conflict 

and violence; and 

(4) the United States stands ready to support this 

new government and to work with the people of Northern Ireland as they strive for lasting peace for the people 

of Northern Ireland. 

Attest: 

Clerk.