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[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 33 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 33

    Calling for the full implementation of the Belfast/Good Friday 
Agreement and expressing hope for the continued success of the Northern 
   Ireland peace process on the 25th anniversary of the Belfast/Good 
                           Friday Agreement.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 12, 2023

 Mr. Keating (for himself, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Mr. Boyle of Pennsylvania, 
   Mr. Kelly of Pennsylvania, Mr. Wilson of South Carolina, and Mr. 
 Kilmer) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
                      Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
    Calling for the full implementation of the Belfast/Good Friday 
Agreement and expressing hope for the continued success of the Northern 
   Ireland peace process on the 25th anniversary of the Belfast/Good 
                           Friday Agreement.

Whereas, on April 10, 1998, cross-community representatives in Northern Ireland 
        as well as representatives from the Republic of Ireland and the United 
        Kingdom signed the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement (herein referred to as 
        ``the Agreement'') ending the period of violence known as the 
        ``Troubles'' and establishing a framework for peace in Northern Ireland;
Whereas the talks surrounding the Agreement were chaired by the Honorable George 
        J. Mitchell and supported by the United States Government and Congress;
Whereas all communities in Northern Ireland were represented at the talks that 
        led to the Agreement and the United States has played a vital role as a 
        good-faith actor in talks surrounding implementation of the Agreement;
Whereas the Agreement was a negotiated settlement between the communities in 
        Northern Ireland as well as the Governments of the United Kingdom and 
        the Republic of Ireland;
Whereas the Agreement provided for the foundation of the establishment of power-
        sharing devolved institutions to reflect the will of the people of 
        Northern Ireland regardless of community, tradition, or background and 
        consistent with democratic principles;
Whereas the Agreement affirms, protects, and safeguards the inherent human and 
        civil rights of the people of Northern Ireland in abidance with the 
        European Convention on Human Rights and establishes new institutions in 
        Northern Ireland, including an Equality Commission and Human Rights 
        Commission, to ensure equal protection under the law for the people of 
        Northern Ireland;
Whereas the ``3 Strand'' approach which laid the framework for the directly 
        elected Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive as well as North-South 
        and East-West institutions, continues to bring together stakeholders to 
        consult, cooperate, and act on matters of mutual interest;
Whereas the Agreement acknowledges the suffering of victims of violence 
        committed during the ``Troubles'', including the impact on young people;
Whereas the Agreement contains measures for economic and social progress, 
        addresses cultural issues, and sets out a way forward on decommissioning 
        of paramilitary weapons, the normalization of security, and policing and 
        justice issues that are essential for a sustained peace in Northern 
        Ireland and on the island of Ireland; and
Whereas the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Agreement represents an 
        important moment of reflection on the progress made in ensuring peace 
        and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and should stand as a catalyst 
        for continued efforts to implement the Agreement: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) reaffirms strong and unwavering support for the 
        Agreement on the 25th anniversary of its signing;
            (2) calls for the full implementation of the Agreement in 
        the spirit of peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland;
            (3) commends the work of all peoples, communities, and 
        traditions in Northern Ireland as well as the Governments of 
        the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland for their work 
        over the past quarter century in furthering peace and 
        reconciliation in Northern Ireland in accordance with the 
        principles and values outlined in the Agreement;
            (4) supports the work of the North-South and East-West 
        bodies established by the Agreement;
            (5) supports all measures which seek to break down 
        remaining cultural, religious, and societal barriers in 
        Northern Ireland;
            (6) expresses solidarity with the victims of violence 
        during the ``Troubles'' as well as their families and calls for 
        continued measures to ensure accountability, justice, and 
        reconciliation;
            (7) supports further cross-community cooperation including 
        the establishment of more integrated schooling and housing 
        across Northern Ireland as well as the establishment of civic 
        forums to engage with civil society in Northern Ireland; and
            (8) supports the continued role of the United States as a 
        good-faith and positive actor in the Northern Ireland peace 
        process.
                                 <all>
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