[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 209 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 209

  Expressing support for the new power-sharing government in Northern 
                                Ireland.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 17, 2007

Mr. Kennedy (for himself, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Biden, Ms. Collins, Mr. Kerry, 
 Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Leahy, Mr. McCain, Mr. Schumer, Mr. Smith, and Mr. 
  Obama) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and 
                               agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing support for the new power-sharing government in Northern 
                                Ireland.

Whereas, on May 8, 2007, the Reverend Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness became 
        Northern Ireland's first minister and deputy first minister, marking the 
        beginning of a new era of power-sharing;
Whereas Reverend Paisley, the Democratic Unionist leader, and Mr. McGuinness, 
        the Sinn Fein negotiator, have put aside decades of conflict and moved 
        towards historic reconciliation and unity in Northern Ireland;
Whereas, on May 8, 2007, Reverend 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 ``today marks not just 
        the completion of the transition from conflict to peace, but also gives 
        the most visible expression 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 ``on 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 
        realities.''; 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 Senate that--
            (1) the United States stands strongly in support of the new 
        power-sharing government in Northern 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) May 8, 2007, will be remembered as an historic day and 
        an important milestone in cementing peace and unity for 
        Northern Ireland and a shining example 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 Northern Ireland as 
        they achieve their goal of lasting peace for those who reside 
        in Northern Ireland.
                                 <all>