[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 140 (Thursday, October 8, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S12089]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   ASSISTING THE IRISH PEACE PROCESS

  Mr. JEFFORDS. I ask unanimous consent the Senate now proceed to the 
immediate consideration of H.R. 4293 which was received from the House.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (H.R. 4293) to establish a cultural training program 
     for disadvantaged individuals to assist the Irish peace 
     process.

  The Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
  Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, on May 22, 1998, the people of Northern 
Ireland and the Republic of Ireland courageously voted to make a break 
with the tragic violence of their past by expressing their support for 
the April 10 Peace Accords.
  The time is right for the U.S. to step in and show support for the 
changes in Ireland. We have a unique opportunity to participate in the 
building of an everlasting peace with the Northern Ireland Visa for 
Peace and Reconciliation Act.
  Northern Ireland will undergo massive changes as it progresses beyond 
its violent past to a calm, more peaceful future. These changes require 
economic opportunities and a workforce that can rebuild a beautiful 
country.
  The U.S. can offer training and job skills. More importantly, when 
they return home, they will be prepared to provide the crucial skill-
base needed to attract private investment to their local economies.
  This past July, Senator Torricelli and I introduced S. 2269 set up 
for the same purpose. After much negotiation, we now have before us a 
bipartisan effort to show support for peace--the Irish Peace Process 
Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998.
  This bill will provide 4,000 visas a year for three years allowing 
young people from Ireland to live in the United States for up to 36 
months--gaining experience working and living in a peaceful, 
multicultural society.
  The bill establishes a program that will expose individuals from 
disadvantaged areas of Ireland to business and social life of other 
communities and train individuals for job skills for which there are 
opportunities in Ireland. That translates into a low-cost, low-risk, 
high return investment in peace in Northern Ireland.
  This bill will provide opportunities for residents of Ireland to have 
an experience that they can bring home with them to cultivate their 
economy and culture as the region enters into a new and promising era. 
That is why it is called the Northern Ireland Visa for Peace and 
Reconciliation Act. And I hope we call it law very soon. I believe some 
call it INNISFAILE, Island of Destiny.
  I want to congratulate Congressman Walsh and so many others for their 
vision and persistence in getting this bill passed and I urge its 
adoption.
  Mr. JEFFORDS. I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered 
read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid on the 
table, and that any statements relating to the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The bill (H.R. 4293) was passed.