III
106TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. CON. RES. 54
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
APRIL 21, 1999
Received and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Recognizing the historic significance of the first anniversary
of the Good Friday Peace Agreement.
Whereas Ireland has a long and tragic history of civil conflict
that has left a deep and profound legacy of suffering;
Whereas since 1969 more than 3,200 people have died and
thousands more have been injured as a result of political
violence in Northern Ireland;
Whereas a series of efforts by the Governments of the Repub-
lic of Ireland and the United Kingdom to facilitate peace
HCON 54 RFS
and an announced cessation of hostilities created an his-
toric opportunity for a negotiated peace;
Whereas in June 1996, for the first time since the partition
of Ireland in 1922, representatives elected from political
parties in Northern Ireland pledged to adhere to the
principles of nonviolence and commenced talks regarding
the future of Northern Ireland;
Whereas the talks greatly intensified in the spring of 1998
under the chairmanship of former United States Senator
George Mitchell;
Whereas the active participation of British Prime Minister
Tony Blair and Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was critical
to the success of the talks;
Whereas on Good Friday, April 10, 1998, the parties to the
negotiations each made honorable compromises to con-
clude a peace agreement for Northern Ireland, which has
become known as the Good Friday Peace Agreement;
Whereas on Friday, May 22, 1998, an overwhelming majority
of voters in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of
Ireland approved by referendum the Good Friday Peace
Agreement;
Whereas the United States must remain involved politically
and economically to ensure the long-term success of the
peace agreement; and
Whereas on Good Friday, April 2, 1999, a one-year deadline
passed without agreement among all major parties, put-
ting the entire peace process in jeopardy: Now, therefore,
be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That the Congress—
HCON 54 RFS
(1) recognizes the historic significance of the
first anniversary of the Good Friday Peace Agree-
ment;
(2) salutes British Prime Minister Tony Blair
and Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and the elected
representatives of the political parties in Northern
Ireland for creating the opportunity for a negotiated
peace;
(3) commends Senator George Mitchell for his
leadership on behalf of the United States in guiding
the parties toward peace;
(4) congratulates the people of the Republic of
Ireland and of Northern Ireland for their courageous
commitment to work together in peace;
(5) encourages the Governments of the United
Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland with the active
involvement of the United States to continue to work
together to ensure the forward movement of the
peace process; and
(6) reaffirms the bonds of friendship and co-
operation that exist between the United States and
the Governments of the Republic of Ireland and the
United Kingdom, which ensure that the United
HCON 54 RFS
States and those Governments will continue as part-
ners in peace.
Passed the House of Representatives April 20, 1999.
Attest:
JEFF TRANDAHL,
Clerk.