[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 62 (Monday, May 3, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4572-S4573]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          JOHN HUME'S 30 OUTSTANDING YEARS IN NORTHERN IRELAND

  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, John Hume's career is surely one of the 
most distinguished in Irish history, or in any nation's history, and 
all of us in America who care about Ireland are greatly in his debt. 
Last week, this distinguished leader of the Social Democratic and 
Labour Party celebrated 30 years of public service. His accomplishments 
are many, as was recognized last year when he shared the Nobel Peace 
Prize for extraordinary leadership in producing the Good Friday Peace 
Agreement. One detail about that prize speaks volumes about John Hume--
he donated the entire cash prize to charities in Northern Ireland.
  I welcome this opportunity to extend my warmest congratulations to 
John Hume on his 30 years of service to

[[Page S4573]]

peace and the people of Northern Ireland, and I ask unanimous consent 
to have printed in the Record an article from the Irish Times of April 
29 on the celebration in Belfast last week of his brilliant service.
  There being no objection; the article was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                 [From The Irish Times, Apr. 29, 1999]

                     Hume's 30-year Career Honoured

                          (By Gerry Moriarty)

       The SDLP faithful turned out in strength in Belfast last 
     night to celebrate the 30-year political career of party 
     leader and Nobel laureate Mr. John Hume. The Europa Hotel was 
     the venue for what was described as a gala ``bash''.
       The emphasis was on ``nostalgia and crack'' rather than the 
     often depressing stuff of Northern politics as colleagues and 
     friends of Mr. Hume gathered to reminisce on his career and 
     the SDLP's 29 year history.
       Founder members of the party were present, including Mr. 
     Ivan Cooper, Fine Gael TD Mr. Austin Currie and Mr. Paddy 
     O'Hanlon. Apologies were received from Mr. Paddy Devlin and 
     former SDLP leader Lord Fitt.
       More than 400 people attended the reception and dinner 
     including the Minister for Social, Community and Family 
     Affairs, Mr. Ahern, and the Minister of State for Foreign 
     Affairs, Ms. Liz O'Donnell.
       Ms. O'Donnell praised Mr. Hume's political ingenuity in 
     devising a political plan that brought Sinn Fein into the 
     political equation and ultimately led to the Belfast 
     Agreement. She said Mr. Hume had won respect right across the 
     ``political board''. His analysis had proved correct and she 
     was delighted to be attending the gala in his honour.
       Music was supplied by the McCafferty singers from Derry and 
     Belfast vocalist Brian Kennedy.
       Ms. Gerry Cosgrove, the SDLP general secretary, said the 
     party wanted to celebrate and honour Mr. Hume's achievements. 
     ``The 30-year career of John Hume has been characterised by 
     courage, conviction and vision,'' she said.
       ``He has been instrumental in perhaps every positive 
     development in the long and difficult history of the 
     Troubles, and is widely regarded as the principal architect 
     of the Good Friday agreement,'' she said. ``This function was 
     to say thank you for that courage and vision.''
       The Northern Secretary, Dr. Mo Mowlam, apologised for being 
     unable to attend. In a message she praised Mr. Hume for his 
     singleminded determination in pursuing the ``goal of peace''.
       Among the speakers were Mr. cooper, the SDLP deputy leader 
     and Deputy First Minister, Mr. Seamus Mallon, and Mr. Ahern. 
     Mr. Hume was accompanied by his wife, Pat.

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