[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 41 (Friday, March 22, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E429-E430]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      ST. PATRICK'S DAY 1996: A DAY OF CELEBRATION AND DEDICATION

                                 ______


                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 22, 1996

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, we are all looking forward to St. 
Patrick's Day festivities back home.
  For me, the upcoming celebrations bring back memories of the 
wonderful friends I made in Ireland last year when I accompanied 
President Clinton on his historic visit to that beautiful country--and 
of the message they conveyed in their words and actions: We want peace.
  For those of us involved with Irish issues, the recent setbacks 
brought true heartache. But that's why now, more than ever, the United 
States must stand firm in its commitment to help the Irish people win a 
lasting peace.
  Perhaps our best opportunity to do this is by promoting opportunities 
for economic growth in Northern Ireland and the Republic. This will

[[Page E430]]

be mutually beneficial, since one-third of all foreign business in the 
Republic is United States-owned.
  We've already taken several steps toward that goal. President Clinton 
has appointed a Special Envoy for Economic Initiatives on Ireland, and 
the White House convened a conference on trade and investment in 
Ireland. This week I was proud to vote to continue funding for the 
International Fund for Ireland.
  But I firmly believe we must do more. Along with my New York 
colleagues Peter King and Tom Manton, I have introduced H.R. 2844, the 
Ireland Economic Development Act. My bill would authorize the issuance 
of loan guarantees for economic development and job creation activities 
in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
  I think Dan O'Kennedy said it best: ``Prosperity and peace go hand in 
hand--that's why the Irish American Unity Conference strongly supports 
H.R. 2844, the Ireland Economic Development Act.''
  I urge all my colleagues who are friends of Ireland to cosponsor H.R. 
2844 before going home this St. Patrick's Day.
  And every Member of this Congress should support the MacBride 
Principles, which I and 226 other Members of Congress cast our vote for 
earlier this week.
  I authored the New York City MacBride Principles Contract Compliance 
Law, which made it illegal for the city of New York to award contracts 
to companies which discriminate against Catholic workers in Northern 
Ireland.
  We should have a zero tolerance policy for discrimination: That's the 
statement we make when we vote for the MacBride Principles.
  Last, but by no means least, my heart goes out to all the families 
still threatened with cruel separation by deportation proceedings. I am 
committed to continuing my work on this issue with members of the Ad 
Hoc Committee for Irish Affairs, and I urge my colleagues to get 
involved.
  We all love taking part in the fun of St. Patrick's Day celebrations. 
But this year, as we put on our green shirts, we must all resolve to 
roll up our sleeves and do the hard work to help realize a bright and 
promising future for Ireland and her people.

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