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) sub-
mitted 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 demo-
cratic 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 rec-
onciliation 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 ex-
pression 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 reali-
ties.’’; 
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•HRES 482 IH 
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, includ-
ing the decision by all the major political parties to join 
the Northern Ireland Police Board and support the Po-
lice 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 Rep-
resentatives that— 
(1) the United States stands strongly in sup-
port of the new power-sharing government in North-
ern 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 exam-
ple 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 
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