Calling on the Government of the United Kingdom immediately to establish a full, independent, public judicial inquiry into the murder of Northern Ireland defense attorney Patrick Finucane, as recommended by Judge Peter Cory as part of the Weston Park agreement, in order to move forward on the Northern Ireland Peace Process.

Bill: 109-hres-740
Sponsor: Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]
Introduced: 2006-03-28 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Armed Forces and National Security
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Commemorations
Congress
Congressional committees (House)
Congressional hearings
Congressional tributes
Congressional witnesses
Conspiracy
Crime and Law Enforcement
Criminal investigation
Europe
Families
Government Operations and Politics
Governmental investigations
House International Relations
Human rights
Ireland
Law
Lawyers
Legislation
Murder
Northern Ireland
Paramilitary forces
Peace
Political violence
Treaties
United Kingdom

Summary:
action_date: 2006-03-28
text: 
Calls on the government of the United Kingdom to reconsider its position on the Patrick Finucane case and establish an independent public judicial inquiry into the murder of Patrick Finucane. 
 
Commends Finucane family members for their courageous campaign to seek the truth in this case of collusion. 
 
Welcomes the passage of a resolution by the Dail Eireann on March 8, 2006, calling for the establishment of an independent public judicial inquiry into the Finucane murder as the Irish government's most recent expression of support for the Finucane family.
 
 Acknowledges the U.S. Helsinki Commission and the House of Representatives' International Relations' subcommittees for their work in highlighting this case.
 
Supports the efforts of The Honorable Mitchell Reiss, President Bush's special envoy for the Northern Ireland Peace Process, in pushing for the full implementation of the Weston Park Agreement and the establishment of an independent judicial inquiry into the murder of Patrick Finucane.

action_date: 2006-05-18
text: 
 Expresses deepest condolences to the family of Patrick Finucane on his death, commends their steadfast pursuit of justice in his brutal murder, and thanks his wife Geraldine and son Michael for their willingness to testify on this matter before committees of the House of Representatives. 
 
Supports Administration efforts in seeking full implementation of the Weston Park Agreement and establishment of an independent judicial inquiry into Mr. Finucane's murder.
 
 Calls on the government of the United Kingdom to: (1) reconsider its position on the matter of an inquiry into Mr. Finucane's murder; (2) amend the Inquiries Act of 2005; and (3) take fully into account objections raised by Judge Cory, U.S. government officials, other governments and international bodies, and Mr. Finucane's family.
 
Urges the government of the United Kingdom to establish a full, independent, and public judicial inquiry into Mr. Finucane's murder which would enjoy the support of his family, the people of Northern Ireland, and the international community as recommended by Judge Cory. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-05-18
text: The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2006-05-18
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2006-05-18
text: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 390 - 5, 6 Present (Roll no. 159).
action_date: 2006-05-18
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 390 - 5, 6 Present (Roll no. 159).
action_date: 2006-05-18
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2753-2754)
action_date: 2006-05-16
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2006-05-16
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 740.
action_date: 2006-05-16
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2612-2616; text as introduced: CR H2612)
action_date: 2006-05-16
text: Mr. McCotter moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.
action_date: 2006-03-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.
action_date: 2006-03-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2006-03-28
text: Introduced in House