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[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 482 Introduced in House (IH)]

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 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.'';
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
    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, 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) this day 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 achieve their goal of lasting peace for those who reside 
        in Northern Ireland.
                                 <all>
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