[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 134 (Friday, October 11, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1817]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      U.S.-IRELAND BUSINESS SUMMIT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 9, 2002

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I was pleased to join with my colleagues in 
voting unanimously on September 10, 2002, to pass H. Res. 513, a 
bipartisan recognition of the historical significance and timeliness of 
the 3-day U.S.-Ireland Business Summit. This gathering was held 
September 4-6, 2002 at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center in 
Washington, DC.
  It was a great pleasure for me to participate in this first-ever 
Summit which was organized and chaired by a distinguished Irish-
American leader, Susan Ann Davis. As members of this institution with 
an interest in the Irish isle know, Susan Davis is a great advocate for 
the peace process and for strengthening the bonds of friendship between 
the U.S. and the people of Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. In 
addition to the founding Susan Davis International, one of Washington, 
DC's most respected public affairs and communications firms, Susan 
serves as the President of the National Assembly of Irish American 
Republicans.
  The U.S.-Ireland 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. The special relationship which 
America enjoys with Ireland is reflected in the increased trade between 
our two nations over the past decade. This has produced enormous 
benefits both for Ireland as well as for 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 at a critical time.
  It is clear that an environment free of violence and fear is vital to 
fostering a prosperous business community. Though, it is clear that the 
hard-won peace in Northern Ireland still remains fragile as we again 
see strains and developments that threaten the power sharing 
arrangement.
  In fact, violence we saw this last summer in the interface areas of 
Northern Ireland demonstrates that there is much work to be done. 
Fortunately, as reflected by the coverage in the media, the U.S.-
Ireland Business Summit has created a new momentum for peace and a 
sense of hope and optimism. I want to commend President Bush for his 
outlining the bold vision for strengthening the peace process that the 
Summit embodies and for ensuring that the Summit received strong 
support from across his Administration. In fact, a key to the Summit's 
success--and the success of initiatives announced and launched at its 
conclusion--were a result of the personal involvement and efforts of 
the Secretary of State, Mr. Powell, Secretary of Commerce, Mr. Evans, 
the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Mr. Thompson, and the 
President's key advisor on the Irish peace process, Ambassador Richard 
Haass.
  I look forward to continuing to work with the President, my 
colleagues, Susan Ann Davis and other concerned Irish-Americans in the 
private sector to complete the work begun at the U.S.-Ireland Business 
Summit.

                          ____________________