[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 98 (Tuesday, July 21, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1371-E1372]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           NORTHERN IRELAND VISA FOR PEACE AND RECONCILIATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES T. WALSH

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 21, 1998

  Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, as Chairman of the Friends of Ireland and 
member of the Ad-Hoc Committee for Irish Affairs, I am inviting all of 
my colleagues to join us as cosponsors of the Northern Ireland Visa for 
Peace and Reconciliation.
  Over the last few weeks, the world has witnessed events symbolizing 
both the hope for the future in Northern Ireland and the tragedy of its 
past. The politics of the gun has been replaced with the politics of 
the ballot box. A majority of men and women on all sides of the 
conflict have given their overwhelming support for the Good Friday 
Agreement and stood together in condemnation of last week's violence 
and murder. This initiative is aimed at helping those who are working 
for a new beginning.
  In May, the Speaker of the Irish Dail, Mr. Seamus Pattison, led a 
delegation to Washington for a meeting of the U.S.-Ireland 
Interparliament. During those meetings, the Irish

[[Page E1372]]

continually raised the idea of a new U.S. transitional visa program 
designed to support the implementation of the peace agreement.
  The Northern Ireland Visa for Peace and Reconciliation creates a non-
immigrant, temporary working visa category targeted at individuals from 
disadvantaged areas in Northern Ireland and Border Counties of the 
Republic. It would allow young unskilled people from disadvantaged 
areas a brief period of time to learn a craft, get a temporary job and 
experience the diversity of the United States. After their visit, they 
would return home ready to share the benefits derived from working in 
the world's greatest economy.
  In the past several years, we have seen 800 years of Irish history 
take a dramatic shift toward peace. We believe this Visa program will 
further cement that progress. I hope all Members will join us in 
supporting this low-risk, low-cost, high-return investment in support 
of peace in Northern Ireland.

                          ____________________