[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 47 (Friday, April 24, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3579-S3581]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 EFFORTS OF SENATOR GEORGE MITCHELL IN ACHIEVING THE NORTHERN IRELAND 
                            PEACE AGREEMENT

  Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, I am pleased today to join with my 
colleagues, Senator Collins from Maine and Senator Chafee from Rhode 
Island, in the wake of yesterday's 97 to 0 vote by the Senate to pass 
Senate Concurrent Resolution 90 acknowledging the historic Northern 
Ireland peace agreement reached just 2 weeks ago.
  The agreement was produced through the hard work and patience and 
goodwill of representatives of Northern Ireland's political parties, 
the Prime Ministers of both Britain and Ireland, President Clinton, and 
a man well known in this Chamber, the former Senator from Maine and 
former majority leader, George Mitchell.
  Senator Mitchell's skill, patience, and determination were largely 
responsible for bringing opposing parties to the point where they were 
able to broker a historic agreement that offers the people of Northern 
Ireland the opportunity to put an end to the longstanding fear and 
suffering they have endured and to achieve a future that will be as 
bright as the spirit and potential of her extraordinary people.
  In describing Senator Mitchell's pivotal role, one of the 
participants in the talks said, ``Here the United States sent one of 
its most able, skilled, talented, humble politicians, a supreme 
diplomat, and frankly we didn't deserve him.''
  Well of course, the people of Northern Ireland deserved his 
leadership that has provided, as we now know, the very best opportunity 
for these talks to succeed.
  After his retirement from the Senate, President Clinton invited 
Senator Mitchell to serve as a special economic adviser to Northern 
Ireland. However, before he finished his efforts to attract business 
investment to Northern Ireland, Senator Mitchell was selected by both 
the British and Irish governments to join a panel that recommended the 
decommissioning of arms by the paramilitary factions in Northern 
Ireland. He assumed responsibility for taking over the peace talks in 
June of 1996.
  Senator Mitchell faced tremendous obstacles in attempting to win the 
trust of the parties involved in seeking an agreement. After all, 
previous efforts resulted in failure. However, his patience, diligence 
and sincerity won them over. I know that Senator Mitchell's long 
experience in the Senate helped prepare him for this unique challenge. 
As one who served with him for more than 14 years in the Maine 
Congressional Delegation, I know he has an excellent ability to 
understand the concerns of whomever he is talking with--whether it is a 
constituent from Bangor, or Augusta or Protestants and Catholics in 
Northern Ireland.
  Being an effective majority leader in the Senate, as we know, 
requires one to be a good listener, to know when to compromise, to know 
when to coax and cajole, to know when to be patient and to know when to 
be firm. All these qualities served George Mitchell well in this body 
and served him well in his most recent role which consumed 22 long, 
hard months of negotiations.

[[Page S3580]]

  This was by no means an easy task and often it must have seemed a 
hopeless one. However, the toll of the continuing violence in which 
over 3,200 people have died since 1969 led in the end to a deep 
yearning for peace. Individuals who grew up accustomed to violence were 
tired of going to funerals and watching their friends and family 
members die. Senator Mitchell led an effort that promised a way out--a 
path toward a future of peace and hope. In 1996 he proposed the 
decommissioning of weapons be addressed during the talks and that 
participants make a commitment to nonviolence. That was the same year 
that bombings took place in London and Manchester. Yet none of that 
deterred Senator Mitchell. When the agreement was concluded, he 
commented that ``no one wants to go back to the bitterness of the 
past.''
  In his understated way, Senator Mitchell commented that ``This 
agreement is a reason to celebrate. But by itself, it guarantees 
nothing.'' I fervently hope that the agreement does indeed turn out to 
be the harbinger of a new era in Northern Ireland. Ultimately it is the 
Irish people, voting on May 22nd, who will determine whether or not 
this agreement will succeed. I am optimistic that it will.
  The agreement is a landmark achievement. There will be a 108 seat 
assembly in which Protestants and Catholics share responsibility and 
powers. It will be elected this June, and I hope those who are chosen 
in that election will share the dream that Senator Mitchell cited when 
he talked about the babies who were born in Northern Ireland on the 
same day his new son Andrew was born 6 months ago.
  Senator Mitchell said, ``I believe that they are entitled to the same 
chance in life that I want for my son. Peace, political stability and 
reconciliation are not too much to ask for. They are the minimum that a 
decent civilized society provides.''
  Eloquent words that I am sure touched the hearts of mothers and 
fathers on both sides of the historic divide that has scarred Northern 
Ireland.
  In the agreement Senator Mitchell helped to forge, in addition to the 
afore-mentioned assembly, there will be a North/South Ministerial 
Council which will provide an opportunity for ministers from the 
Republic of Ireland to promote joint policymaking with the Northern 
Ireland Assembly. This council will have the opportunity to implement 
policies for the entire island of Ireland but only with the approval of 
the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Irish Parliament in Dublin. This 
remarkable opportunity will allow the benefits of peace to be provided 
and to be shared by all the Irish people.
  At the conclusion of the talks, Senator Mitchell said, ``It doesn't 
take courage to shoot a policeman in the back of the head, or to murder 
an unarmed taxi driver.'' But he knows it does take courage to finally 
face down the horrors of sectarian violence, that it does take courage 
to realize that sometimes you have to make compromises for a future of 
peace.
  When he first visited Belfast and saw a 30-foot wall dividing 
neighborhoods, I am sure he was reminded of the most famous wall of 
all, the Berlin Wall, which came down in 1989 when communism crumbled. 
Just 2 years before a new millennium, the wall in Belfast still divides 
people. But this agreement may bring us one day closer to the day it, 
too, crumbles.
  Senator George Mitchell has helped broker an agreement that will, I 
hope, be the spark for an era of peace and prosperity for Northern 
Ireland and bring to a close one of this century's most tragic and 
stubborn conflicts. This agreement is one that should be celebrated for 
all it can bring to Northern Ireland. It should also be celebrated as 
proof of how one remarkable individual can make a difference for his 
fellow human beings. It is my fervent hope that the people of Northern 
Ireland will long remember and celebrate the contributions of this one 
man, George Mitchell, toward providing them the key to a lasting peace.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  Ms. COLLINS addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The distinguished Senator from Maine is 
recognized.
  Ms. COLLINS. Thank you, Mr. President.
  Mr. President, I am very pleased to join the senior Senator from 
Maine and our distinguished colleague from Rhode Island in paying 
tribute to the extraordinary accomplishments of a former Maine Senator, 
George Mitchell, in bringing a new sense of hope, peace, and security 
to Northern Ireland.
  Mr. President, it was Samuel Johnson who said in 1777 that knowledge 
that you will be hanged in a fortnight does wonders to concentrate your 
mind. In 1998, former Senate majority leader, George Mitchell, proved 
the truth of this aphorism by giving the Northern Ireland peace talks a 
Good Friday deadline, placing upon these negotiations the equivalent, 
if you will, of a sunset provision that left the parties with no 
alternative but finally to come up with a real solution.
  This deadline accomplished its purpose wonderfully. It concentrated 
their minds wonderfully and led directly to the historic agreement. 
Some years ago, it scarcely seemed possible to imagine a Northern 
Ireland in which children could grow up without fear of violence and 
bloodshed. Today, however, due to the extraordinary efforts of former 
Senator George Mitchell, this brighter future is not only imaginable--
it is very nearly here.
  That Senator Mitchell should possess such statesmanship and skill is, 
of course, no surprise to the people in my home State of Maine. Senator 
Mitchell is greatly admired in this country for his work on behalf of 
the citizens of Maine and indeed of all Americans. Today, however, the 
people of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland--and peace-
loving people everywhere--also owe Senator Mitchell a great debt for 
helping to steer these talks to their successful conclusion. I do not 
believe that we would be celebrating this agreement without his heroic 
efforts.
  It is my great hope that with his statesmanship and steady hand, 
Senator Mitchell has now made it possible to achieve a real 
reconciliation in Northern Ireland--and for the Irish people to go 
about building their future together, in cooperation rather than in 
conflict.
  I am very pleased that the Senate has passed overwhelmingly a 
resolution expressing our support for the Irish peace process and the 
brighter future represented by this truly historic agreement.
  Thank you, Mr. President.
  I yield the floor.
  Mr. CHAFEE addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The distinguished Senator from Rhode Island is 
recognized.
  Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, I join the two distinguished Senators from 
Maine in paying tribute to the remarkable job that Senator George 
Mitchell did in Ireland.
  Senator Mitchell would be the first to say that success is not 
assured and that this is but the first step in a long, difficult 
process. But because of what Senator Mitchell did, the chances for 
peace have been greatly improved. And it truly was an extraordinary 
job, as the two Senators from Maine have outlined.
  What patience George Mitchell showed, and what skills as a negotiator 
he displayed.
  I join in the sentiment that has been expressed that his success 
there comes as no great surprise to those of us who knew him well. I 
served in this Senate for the entire time that George Mitchell was here 
as Senator from Maine. I had the privilege of serving in not one but 
two committees, the Finance Committee and the Environment Committee, 
with George Mitchell.
  Indeed, as soon as he came to the Senate, he went on the Environment 
Committee, and there I saw the tremendous abilities that he had. I can 
remember particularly the Clean Air Act, that George Mitchell was the 
one most responsible for the reauthorization of that act, which 
occurred when George Mitchell was majority leader. Because of the 
guidance that he gave to all of us, that extraordinary reauthorization 
took place.
  I personally have deep ties to the State of Maine. My father was born 
in Maine. I have spent childhood summers there and adult summers 
likewise. So I am very familiar with that State. I might point out that 
although Maine is large in size, it has a relatively small population, 
about 1 million people. It is true that Maine is a very large State; it 
is as large as the rest of New England put together; but, as I said, it 
has a relatively small population.

[[Page S3581]]

  Yet from that relatively small population of 1 million people have 
come a series of extraordinary Senators. I look back, Mr. President, 
just in the ones I have had the privilege of knowing--Margaret Chase 
Smith, for example, who stands out as a beacon, particularly in 
connection with the impeachment hearings and leading up to that of 
President Nixon. We remember clearly Ed Muskie, with whom I had the 
privilege of serving on the floor of the Senate. He was active, ran for 
Vice President, and gave one of the finest television speeches it has 
been my privilege to hear. And George Mitchell, whom we have just had 
the privilege of extolling, and rightfully so. And Bill Cohen, who is 
now our Secretary of Defense. And that great tradition of those 
outstanding Senators is carried on now by the two Senators from Maine, 
Senator Olympia Snowe and Senator Susan Collins.
  It seems to me that the people of the State of Maine have great 
reason to be extremely proud not only of the Senators who have been 
before--and I listed some of them--but of their current Senators, 
Senators Snowe and Collins. It is a tradition that they are carrying 
on. It is a remarkable one, Mr. President. As I thought about these 
remarks today and thought of the Senators I have known, I don't think 
you could name a State that is as small in population as the State of 
Maine and has produced such outstanding Senators as those I just 
listed.
  Mr. President, in making this salute to George Mitchell, it seems to 
me we are saluting the people of the State of Maine, who have had such 
good judgment. These are not all Republicans, and they are not all 
Democrats. They are Republicans and they are Democrats, both. It has 
been a remarkable flow of outstanding servants, not just for the State 
of Maine but for the United States of America. I think all of us can be 
very proud of those who have gone before and those who are now serving 
in the U.S. Senate from the State of Maine.
  I thank the Chair, and I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. DeWINE. I ask that I be allowed to proceed under the previous 
order for 60 minutes.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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