[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 46 (Thursday, April 23, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S3545]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 90--TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE HISTORIC NORTHERN 
                        IRELAND PEACE AGREEMENT

  Mr. DODD (for himself, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Moynihan, Mr. Daschle, Mr. 
Leahy, Mr. Lautenberg, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Mack, Mr. D'Amato, and Mr. 
Wellstone) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
considered and agreed to:

                            S. Con. Res. 90

       Whereas the people of Ireland have experienced civil 
     conflict throughout their history with the latest phase, 
     known as The Troubles, ongoing for the last thirty years;
       Whereas this tragic history has cost the lives of thousands 
     of men, women, and children, and has left a deep and profound 
     legacy of suffering;
       Whereas the governments of the Republic of Ireland and the 
     United Kingdom have endeavored for many years to facilitate a 
     peaceful resolution to the conflict in Northern Ireland; and 
     such efforts, including the 1985 Anglo-Irish Agreement, the 
     1993 Joint Declaration, and the 1995 New Framework for 
     Agreement, were important milestones in guiding the parties 
     toward a political agreement;
       Whereas the announced cessation of armed hostilities in 
     1994 by the Irish Republican Army and the Combined Loyalist 
     Military Command created the opportunity for all-inclusive 
     political discussions to occur;
       Whereas representatives from Northern Ireland's political 
     parties, pledging to adhere to the principles of non-
     violence, commenced all-party talks in June 1996, and those 
     talks greatly intensified in the Spring of 1998 under the 
     chairmanship of former United States Senator George Mitchell;
       Whereas the active participation of British Prime Minister 
     Tony Blair and Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was indispensable 
     to the success of negotiations;
       Whereas the support and encouragement for the Northern 
     Ireland peace process by President Clinton, on behalf of the 
     United States, was also an important factor in the success of 
     the negotiations;
       Whereas on April 10, 1998, the political parties, together 
     with the British and Irish Governments successfully concluded 
     the Northern Ireland Peace Agreement;
       Whereas people throughout the island will have an 
     opportunity to approve or reject the final agreement during 
     the May 22 referendums;
       Whereas the British and Irish Governments have committed to 
     making the necessary constitutional and other legal changes 
     necessary to bring the agreement into effect after the 
     referendum approval processes have been concluded: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), that it is the sense of the Congress that--
       (1) All of the participants in the neogiations deserve 
     congratulations for their willingness to make honorable 
     compromises in order to reach an agreement that promises to 
     end the tragic cycle of violence that has dominated Northern 
     Ireland for decades;
       (2) Prime Minister Tony Blair and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern 
     deserve particular credit for their leadership and constant 
     encouragement in support of the peace process;
       (3) The American people can be especially proud of the 
     contributions made by the United States in the quest for 
     peace, including President Clinton's vision and determination 
     to achieve peace in Northern Ireland and his personal 
     commitment to remain an active supporter throughout the 
     process;
       (4) All friends of Ireland owe a lasting debt of gratitude 
     to Senator George Mitchell for his dedication, courage, 
     leadership, and wisdom in guiding the peace talks to a 
     successful conclusion.

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