[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 30 (Thursday, March 17, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 17, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                   LASTING PEACE IN NORTHERN IRELAND

  (Mr. MOAKLEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. MOAKLEY. Mr. Speaker, as I rise on this St. Patrick's Day I think 
it only appropriate that we take this opportunity to double our efforts 
to help end the violence and division in Northern Ireland.
  On this day of celebrating all that is Irish, it is sad to watch so 
many people--our people--suffer the degradation of discrimination and 
the anguish of everyday violence.
  This year, however, we have reason to hope--to hope that a peaceful 
and united Ireland is within our reach.
  I believe we have reached a crossroads in this conflict and that it 
is our responsibility not to let this opportunity for peace slip away.
  The Downing Street declaration was certainly a historic moment in the 
history of this struggle and it is crucial that the impetus behind this 
agreement is not lost.
  I had the opportunity to speak with the great Irish statesman John 
Hume this past weekend. John has been fighting many years for a 
principle that many people are only just beginning to accept.
  He believes that lasting peace in Northern Ireland will never be 
achieved through the barrel of a gun--it will be achieved through 
negotiations.
  I happen to agree with him. That is what I want to push for; that is 
what I hope all of us in this room will demand--an end to the killing 
and an end to the violence.

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