H. Res. 744
In the House of Representatives, U.S., 
April 4, 2006.
Whereas the Good Friday Agreement, signed on April 10, 
1998, in Belfast, was endorsed in a referendum by the 
overwhelming majority of people in Northern Ireland and 
the Republic of Ireland; 
Whereas the parties to the Good Friday Agreement made a 
clear commitment to ‘‘partnership, equality, and mutual 
respect’’ as the basis for moving forward in pursuit of 
lasting peace in Northern Ireland; 
Whereas the parties to the Good Friday Agreement also af-
firmed their ‘‘total and absolute commitment to exclu-
sively democratic and peaceful means’’ in pursuit of last-
ing peace in Northern Ireland; 
Whereas inclusive power-sharing based on these defining 
qualities is essential to the viability and advancement of 
the democratic process in Northern Ireland; 
Whereas paramilitary activity by both traditions in a demo-
cratic society undermines the trust and confidence that 
are essential in a political system based on inclusive 
power-sharing in Northern Ireland; 
Whereas on September 26, 2005, the International Inde-
pendent Commission on Decommissioning (IICD) con-
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firmed the Irish Republican Army had destroyed its full 
arsenal of weapons; 
Whereas the Good Friday Agreement called for police reform 
and establishment of a ‘‘new beginning’’ in policing in 
Northern Ireland with an effective, accountable, and fair 
police service capable of attracting support from the en-
tire community, maintaining law and order, and adhering 
to the principle of the protection of human rights; 
Whereas the new Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) 
has made great strides in becoming an integrated, profes-
sional, and impartial police force under civilian control 
and responsive to all community concerns, and has 
worked to protect both communities from violence; 
Whereas significant further work in police reform, and in fos-
tering community acceptance of the PSNI, must still be 
accomplished; 
Whereas the Government of the United Kingdom and the 
Government of Ireland continue to strongly support the 
Good Friday Agreement as the way forward in the peace 
process and have committed themselves to its implemen-
tation; and 
Whereas the Government of the United States continues to 
strongly support the peace process in Northern Ireland: 
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That—
(1) the House of Representatives—
(A) reiterates its support for the Good Friday 
Agreement, signed on April 10, 1998, in Belfast, as 
the blueprint for a lasting peace in Northern Ire-
land;
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(B) commends the Prime Minister of the 
United Kingdom Tony Blair and the Irish 
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern for their leadership and 
persistence in seeking a peaceful resolution in 
Northern Ireland; 
(C) commends the Sinn Fein leadership in suc-
cessfully urging the Irish Republican Army to end 
its armed struggle and verifiably put its weapons 
beyond use; 
(D) commends Sir Hugh S. Orde, Chief Con-
stable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland 
(PSNI), for his leadership and for working to pro-
tect both communities; 
(E) commends the PSNI for the institution of 
the Historical Enquiries Team, which will provide a 
thorough and independent examination of unre-
solved deaths that occurred in connection with the 
Troubles from 1968 to 1989; 
(F) commends Nuala O’Loan and the Police 
Ombudsman’s Office for the work they have done in 
promoting human rights in law enforcement and in 
fostering community confidence in the PSNI; and 
(G) commends the work of the Northern Irish 
Policing Board and its District Partnerships for