[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 146 (Wednesday, October 14, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S12579]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   THE IRISH PEACE PROCESS CULTURAL AND TRAINING PROGRAM ACT OF 1998

  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, the passage of the Irish Peace Process 
Cultural and Training Program Act is an important step to facilitate 
the ongoing peace process in Northern Ireland and advance the goals of 
the Good Friday Agreement of April 10, 1998. The legislation 
contributes to this effort by providing the people of that strife-torn 
region with new opportunities to achieve permanent peace and 
reconciliation.
  This bill which authorizes a total of 12,000 residents of Northern 
Ireland and the six border counties of the Republic of Ireland to come 
to the United States for up to three years for job training and 
education.
  Northern Ireland has an overall unemployment rate of 9.6 percent, and 
it is 13 percent in Belfast. The economy grew only three percent in the 
last year. Economic stagnation and high unemployment disproportionately 
affect unskilled workers. The legislation reaches out to these 
disadvantaged workers by giving many of them an opportunity to learn 
skills in the United States, which they will in turn take home to their 
communities in Northern Ireland and the border counties and use them 
productively for their future.
  One of America's greatest strengths is its diversity, and the 
diversity of Northern Ireland can be a strength as well. A major goal 
of this legislation is to promote cross-community and cross-border 
understanding and build grassroots support for long-term reconciliation 
and peaceful coexistence of the two communities. Building on the 
success of similar programs, this legislation will enable persons who 
have lived amidst the conflict and bigotry of Northern Ireland to spend 
time in communities in the United States where reconciliation works to 
achieve a strong and more just society. It is our hope that the 
experience generated by this legislation produce long-lasting social 
and economic benefits for all the people of the borders and Northern 
Ireland.

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