IV 

110TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 482 

Expressing support for the new power-sharing government in Northern 

Ireland. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JUNE 12, 2007 

Mr. GALLEGLY (for himself, Mr. WEXLER, Mr. SMITH of New Jersey, Mr. 

LANTOS, Mr. KING of New York, and Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 

Foreign Affairs 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for the new power-sharing government 

in Northern Ireland. 

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 

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•HRES 482 IH 

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 

forward together to build a better future for the people 

that we represent’’; 

Whereas 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.’’; 

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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 Accords: 

Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Rep2 resentatives that— 

3 (1) the United States stands strongly in sup4 port of the new power-sharing government in North5 ern Ireland; 

6 (2) political leaders of Northern Ireland, Prime 

7 Minister Tony Blair, and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern 

8 should be commended for acting in the best interest 

9 of the people of Northern Ireland by forming the 

10 new power-sharing government; 

11 (3) this day will be remembered as an historic 

12 day and an important milestone in cementing peace 

13 and unity for Northern Ireland and a shining exam14 ple for nations around the world plagued by internal 

15 conflict and violence; and 

16 (4) the United States stands ready to support 

17 this new government and to work with the people of 

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1 Northern Ireland as they achieve their goal of last2 ing peace for those who reside in Northern Ireland. 

Æ 

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