[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 63 (Wednesday, May 14, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H2597]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




THE ADMINISTRATION MISSES AN OPPORTUNITY TO HELP PROVIDE LASTING PEACE 
                    AND JUSTICE FOR NORTHERN IRELAND

  (Mr. GILMAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, the President and his Immigration and 
Naturalization Service have missed an important opportunity to help in 
our efforts to provide lasting peace and justice for Northern Ireland.
  Brian Pearson, an Irish nationalist who lives in Rockland County, NY, 
in my district, with his American wife and child, faces continued INS 
deportation proceedings. Despite an immigration judge's extensive 
findings that Brian Pearson is no threat to our Nation's security, and 
which granted him political asylum and permanent resident status, and 
despite extensive public support for not pursuing an appeal, the INS 
has gone forward in the appeal process.
  I have raised Brian's possible deportation with the President, with 
the Secretary of State, and asked to use Brian's case to begin the 
reconciliation and healing that Northern Ireland needs so badly today. 
During the recent 18-month cease-fire the prior conservative British 
Government missed the opportunity to use the cases of both nationalists 
as well as loyalist prisoners to help build confidence, reconciliation, 
and greater healing to underline and build support for lasting peace.
  I urge the administration to stop this appeal process. 

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