[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 113 (Tuesday, September 10, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H6140-H6142]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE AND TIMELINESS OF UNITED STATES-
IRELAND BUSINESS SUMMIT
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 513) recognizing the historical
significance and timeliness of the United States-Ireland Business
Summit, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 513
Whereas from September 4, 2002, to September 6, 2002, the
United States-Ireland Business Summit was held at the Ronald
Reagan Building International Trade Center in Washington
D.C.;
Whereas global economic change and the war against
international terrorism have challenged industries and
governments throughout the world to look at new ways to
resolve conflicts, eliminate barriers, and expand markets;
Whereas the Summit brought together senior level corporate,
government, and academic leaders from across the United
States, Ireland, and Northern Ireland for discussions on
economic competitiveness and important issues that are
confronting the sectors of information and communications
technology, biotechnology, and financial services in the
United States and European markets;
Whereas the discussions focused on new public and private
sector priorities, market development and entry, regulatory
issues, and opportunities for joint ventures and economic
growth, generating alliances between businesses with
operations in the United States, Ireland, and Northern
Ireland;
Whereas increased economic growth and job creation in
Northern Ireland can further help promote the peace and
shared governance under the terms of the Good Friday
Agreement of 1998;
Whereas President George W. Bush has offered a compelling
new vision for peace in Northern Ireland that emphasizes
private sector leadership and innovation to restore economic
vitality and cooperation;
Whereas the United States-Ireland Business Summit was a
bold step toward making the vision of President Bush a
reality and creating new opportunities in the United States,
Ireland, and Northern Ireland; and
Whereas approximately 44,000,000 citizens of the United
States identify themselves as having Irish ancestry and the
United States has a strong and enduring interest in
maintaining close ties with the people of Ireland and in
supporting efforts to ensure peace, justice, and prosperity
in Northern Ireland: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Congress recognizes the historical
significance and timeliness of the United States-Ireland
Business Summit held in Washington, D.C. from September 4,
2002, to September 6, 2002.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
Jersey (Mr. Smith) and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Watson)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith).
General Leave
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that
all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and
extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution
under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New Jersey?
There was no objection.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Madam Speaker, today we bring before the House H. Res. 513,
recognizing the historical significance and timeliness of the United
States-Ireland Business Summit which took place last week.
This groundbreaking economic forum, strongly supported by the Bush
administration, brought together more than 400 key government officials
and successful CEOs from the United States, Ireland and Northern
Ireland to build upon the strong business relations existing between
our nations, and to foster an even greater economic climate that will
enable a just and lasting peace to take hold in Northern Ireland.
We know that for so much of its history Ireland's economic progress
was tragically inhibited by British economic rule. In fact, it was pure
economic conditions in Ireland that prompted millions of Irish to
emigrate to the United States. The Irish who came to America helped
build the infrastructure of our great Nation; they helped boost our
young, industrial economy; and they played historic roles in the growth
of our democracy.
Today there are at least 44 million Americans who trace their
ancestry to Ireland. Irish Americans have leading roles in government,
business and academia. A year ago this week, we again witnessed the
strengths and unselfishness of many Irish American heroes who gave
their lives as New York's firemen and policemen at the World Trade
Center on September 11.
The U.S.-Irish Business Summit, convened last week here in
Washington, marked a new chapter in our Nation's great friendship with
the people of Ireland, both north and south. The 3-day forum promoted
new venues for shared prosperity and new business partnerships
especially in the areas of financial services, communications fields
and biotech.
Next to human rights, economic progress in Ireland, especially in the
north, is crucial to a just and sustainable peace. We know when
prosperity abounds, strife and turmoil are often quelled. Increased
economic investment in Northern Ireland is especially important now
that we have worked to cement the peace and usher in the new human
rights protections envisioned by the Good Friday Agreement. Despite
strong support from the governments in the region, the U.S. Government,
and most of the people in Northern Ireland itself, much more needs to
be done to achieve a full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.
The United States has known for some time that economic prosperity,
so long as it is complemented by real protections in human rights, can
be a key to peace. And we have put our money where our mouth is over
these many years. Since 1986, the United States has contributed more
than $320 million to the International Fund for Ireland, a joint
British-Irish government program designed to help create jobs. The Fund
[[Page H6141]]
has had a tremendous impact, especially in the north and the border
communities where economic development and cross-community cooperation
have been needed the most.
The private sector can join and build upon our government's
investment in peace in Northern Ireland. I am hopeful that the U.S.-
Ireland Business Summit will provide added momentum to the success of
the International Fund for Ireland. Added private investment will mean
that more people have jobs. It will ensure that more people, regardless
of their political or religious affiliation, can have access to job
creation and a greater quality of life.
Madam Speaker, I note that the manager's amendment to this resolution
contains some minor technical and grammatical changes to reflect that
the U.S.-Irish Business Summit occurred last week. I congratulate the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Walsh), a prime sponsor of this, for his
tremendous leadership in the area not just of the summit, but in Irish
affairs in general.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. WATSON of California. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as
I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 513. I first
commend the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) for his leadership on
this important resolution, and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Walsh)
for introducing it.
Madam Speaker, for decades the people of Ireland have longed for
peace and stability. Since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement of
1998, this dream is closer to reality than ever before. The Good Friday
Agreement is a testament to the leadership abilities of George Mitchell
and is one of the great achievements of President Clinton's foreign
policy. However, the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement has
not been without its setbacks, and it is critically important that all
parties continue to push strongly for progress on political, security
and economic fronts.
Madam Speaker, just a few miles away business leaders from the United
States, Ireland and Northern Ireland met last week at the United
States-Ireland Business Summit. I am pleased to report that these
leaders helped lay the groundwork for the economic prosperity for
Northern Ireland which is so critical to the peace process. This summit
focused on generating new opportunities for business between the United
States, Ireland and Northern Ireland, including promoting foreign
investment, reducing regulatory barriers and increasing bilateral
trade. Progress on these critically important issues can create new
jobs for those unemployed on both sides of the Atlantic and make a
tangible contribution to the success of the Good Friday Agreement.
I commend the leaders who participated in the summit, and urge my
colleagues to support this resolution.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman), the chairman
emeritus of the Committee on International Relations.
Mr. GILMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 513,
recognizing the historical significance and timeliness of the 3-day
U.S.-Ireland Business Summit which was held last week in Washington in
which I was pleased to participate.
That business summit brought together business leaders from the
Republic of Ireland, from Northern Ireland and the United States to
discuss the importance and the advancement of our bilateral commercial
ties across the Atlantic, and I thank the gentleman from New Jersey
(Mr. Smith) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Walsh) and the
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Watson) for bringing this measure to
the floor at this time.
Our special relationship and history that our Nation enjoys with
Ireland is reflected in the increased trade between our two nations
over the past decade. This has produced mutual benefits both for
Ireland as well as the United States, and continues to underscore our
common values, our traditions and our commitment to free trade.
Moreover, expanding international commercial links has underscored and
reinforced the benefits of peace in Northern Ireland. An environment
free of violence and fear is vital to fostering a prosperous business
community. However, the hard-won peace in Northern Ireland still
remains fragile, which is why last week's summit was so critical for
continuing the positive changes which have been made to date.
Regrettably, the interface violence we saw this last summer
demonstrates that we are not yet over all of the troubles in the north.
Accordingly, I want to commend President Bush for his strong support of
this U.S.-Ireland summit, and particularly the summit chairman, the
gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Davis) and the Irish-American
Republicans for their leadership on this summit initiative. I urge my
colleagues to continue our support of this worthy endeavor.
{time} 1200
Ms. WATSON of California. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne).
Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, let me thank the gentleman from New Jersey
(Mr. Smith), who has really done such an outstanding job not only in
his work in Ireland in general but in human rights throughout the
world. Many people are much better off because of his interests, his
compassion, and his tenacity in seeing that those who have the least
voice in the world are heard. Let me thank the ambassador for bringing
forth this resolution.
Madam Speaker, I am pleased to have the opportunity to have visited
both Ireland and Northern Ireland on several occasions. Taking
satisfaction that the peace process is moving forward, I would like to
reiterate my support for the goals of the U.S.-Ireland summit, this
summit designed to bring together senior-level corporate government and
academic leaders for discussion on economic competitiveness, consider
important issues in the areas of information and communications
technology, biotechnology, and financial services in the United States
and European markets.
The emphasis of the summit on new public and private sector
opportunities, market development, joint ventures, and economic growth
between businesses in the U.S., Ireland, and Northern Ireland is truly
commendable. I solute its promotion of peace and shared governance
under the terms of the Good Friday agreement of 1998. As well, I
support the emphasis it places on private sector leadership and in its
leadership.
It is important for the United States to maintain close ties with all
people of Ireland in supporting mutual peace, justice, and prosperity.
There has been, however, an apparent oversight in the resolution, I
believe, that I would like to address at this time.
The resolution failed to mention the tireless effort of special envoy
Senator George Mitchell, who negotiated the Good Friday agreement.
Neither did it remark on the dedication and commitment of former
President Clinton in bringing the peace process in Northern Ireland to
a successful conclusion. So I would just like to highlight that and
bring attention to my colleagues of the establishment of the William J.
Clinton International Peace Center in Enniskillen, Ireland, and that
Ms. Steller O'Leary and others who have been working so much for
advocating peace are involved in this and we look forward to having
Members of our Congress visit that. I trust that the present
administration will continue this important effort so that the
reconciliation process does not falter. So I ask that my colleagues
join me in honoring Senator Mitchell and President Clinton for their
crucial role that they played in bringing peace to Northern Ireland.
Ms. WATSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for
time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my
time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Quinn). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) that the House
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 513, as amended.
The question was taken.
[[Page H6142]]
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of
those present have voted in the affirmative.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and
nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
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