[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 207 Introduced in House (IH)]

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115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 207

 Expressing the continued support of the House of Representatives for 
           the Good Friday Agreement (the Belfast Agreement).


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 17, 2017

Mr. Keating (for himself, Mr. Neal, Mr. Crowley, Mr. Meeks, Mr. Brendan 
   F. Boyle of Pennsylvania, Mr. King of New York, and Mr. Connolly) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
                           on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing the continued support of the House of Representatives for 
           the Good Friday Agreement (the Belfast Agreement).

Whereas, on April 10, 1998, the Good Friday Agreement reached by the Government 
        of Ireland, the Government of the United Kingdom, and the political 
        party leaders of Northern Ireland provided for the devolution of 
        government from the United Kingdom to local institutions in Northern 
        Ireland, created the democratically elected Northern Ireland Assembly 
        and democratically accountable Executive Committee;
Whereas the people of both Northern Ireland and Ireland, in a referendum on May 
        22, 1998, voted overwhelmingly in favor of the Good Friday Agreement, 
        and the accord went into effect on December 2, 1999;
Whereas the completion of the Good Friday Agreement marked a historic political 
        development that paved the way for future relations within Northern 
        Ireland, between Ireland and Northern Ireland, and between Ireland and 
        Britain, and provided hope for a peaceful resolution of a longstanding 
        conflict;
Whereas the Good Friday Agreement allows for the peaceful and democratic 
        expression of political differences and the protection and vindication 
        of the human rights of all;
Whereas the United States Government through administrations and congressional 
        leadership of both parties has consistently reaffirmed its commitment, 
        including through support for the International Fund for Ireland and the 
        appointment of successive Peace Envoys, to assist in building a strong 
        society, vibrant economy, and enduring peace in Northern Ireland;
Whereas continued United States engagement in the Northern Ireland peace process 
        is vital to safeguarding the gains made since the Good Friday Agreement;
Whereas the 2016 referendum in Britain to leave the European Union has 
        heightened concerns about the future of the Good Friday Agreement and 
        sustained peace in Northern Ireland;
Whereas the power-sharing Executive and Assembly have a prominent role to play 
        in the wake of the British referendum and in reaching decisions about 
        how Britain's exit from the European Union will be implemented and 
        affect Northern Ireland;
Whereas the free flow of persons across open borders between Ireland and Britain 
        has been a fundamental part of promoting peace and unity throughout the 
        implementation of the Good Friday Agreement; and
Whereas divisions still remain within Northern Ireland, its communities, and 
        among its political parties, which underscores the importance of 
        upholding the letter and spirit of the Good Friday Agreement: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) reaffirms support for the Good Friday Agreement as the 
        essential framework for the continued advancement of 
        partnership, reconciliation, tolerance, and mutual trust, in 
        Northern Ireland; and
            (2) encourages the Irish and British Governments, as well 
        as the Northern Ireland political parties, to continue to 
        uphold and respect the provisions of the Good Friday Agreement 
        throughout the forthcoming Brexit negotiations and to ensure 
        that future European Union-United Kingdom and Ireland-United 
        Kingdom negotiations give priority attention to protecting the 
        gains of the peace process in Northern Ireland.
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