IV 
115TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 207 
Expressing the continued support of the House of Representatives for the 
Good Friday Agreement (the Belfast Agreement). 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 17, 2017 
Mr. KEATING (for himself, Mr. NEAL, Mr. CROWLEY, Mr. MEEKS, Mr. 
BRENDAN F. BOYLE of Pennsylvania, Mr. KING of New York, and Mr. 
CONNOLLY) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on Foreign Affairs 
RESOLUTION 
Expressing the continued support of the House of Represent-
atives for the Good Friday Agreement (the Belfast 
Agreement). 
Whereas, on April 10, 1998, the Good Friday Agreement 
reached by the Government of Ireland, the Government 
of the United Kingdom, and the political party leaders of 
Northern Ireland provided for the devolution of govern-
ment from the United Kingdom to local institutions in 
Northern Ireland, created the democratically elected 
Northern Ireland Assembly and democratically account-
able Executive Committee; 
Whereas the people of both Northern Ireland and Ireland, in 
a referendum on May 22, 1998, voted overwhelmingly in 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:30 Mar 17, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6300
E:\BILLS\HR207.IH
HR207
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with BILLS
•HRES 207 IH 
favor of the Good Friday Agreement, and the accord 
went into effect on December 2, 1999; 
Whereas the completion of the Good Friday Agreement 
marked a historic political development that paved the 
way for future relations within Northern Ireland, between 
Ireland and Northern Ireland, and between Ireland and 
Britain, and provided hope for a peaceful resolution of a 
longstanding conflict; 
Whereas the Good Friday Agreement allows for the peaceful 
and democratic expression of political differences and the 
protection and vindication of the human rights of all; 
Whereas the United States Government through administra-
tions and congressional leadership of both parties has 
consistently 
reaffirmed 
its 
commitment, 
including 
through support for the International Fund for Ireland 
and the appointment of successive Peace Envoys, to as-
sist in building a strong society, vibrant economy, and 
enduring peace in Northern Ireland; 
Whereas continued United States engagement in the North-
ern Ireland peace process is vital to safeguarding the 
gains made since the Good Friday Agreement; 
Whereas the 2016 referendum in Britain to leave the Euro-
pean Union has heightened concerns about the future of 
the Good Friday Agreement and sustained peace in 
Northern Ireland; 
Whereas the power-sharing Executive and Assembly have a 
prominent role to play in the wake of the British ref-
erendum and in reaching decisions about how Britain’s 
exit from the European Union will be implemented and 
affect Northern Ireland; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:53 Mar 17, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6300
E:\BILLS\HR207.IH
HR207
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with BILLS
•HRES 207 IH 
Whereas the free flow of persons across open borders between 
Ireland and Britain has been a fundamental part of pro-
moting peace and unity throughout the implementation of 
the Good Friday Agreement; and 
Whereas divisions still remain within Northern Ireland, its 
communities, and among its political parties, which un-
derscores the importance of upholding the letter and spir-
it of the Good Friday Agreement: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) reaffirms support for the Good Friday 
Agreement as the essential framework for the con-
tinued advancement of partnership, reconciliation, 
tolerance, and mutual trust, in Northern Ireland; 
and 
(2) encourages the Irish and British Govern-
ments, as well as the Northern Ireland political par-
ties, to continue to uphold and respect the provisions 
of the Good Friday Agreement throughout the forth-
coming Brexit negotiations and to ensure that future 
European Union-United Kingdom and Ireland- 
United Kingdom negotiations give priority attention 
to protecting the gains of the peace process in 
Northern Ireland. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:53 Mar 17, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\HR207.IH
HR207
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with BILLS