[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 42 (Monday, March 17, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E479]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         THE FRIENDS OF IRELAND

                         ST. PATRICKS DAY 2003

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES T. WALSH

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 17, 2003

  Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise on this St. Patrick's Day on behalf of 
the Friends of Ireland in the United States Congress as we proudly 
reflect upon the ties that bind America and the island of Ireland.
  We extend a warm welcome to the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, and to the 
political leaders from Ireland and Northern Ireland who have traveled 
to America to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with us. We would like to 
recognize and commend President Bush's commitment to the peace process 
and to the promotion of reconciliation in Northern Ireland. We would 
also like to recognize Ambassador Richard Haass for the important and 
constructive role he has played in the implementation of the Good 
Friday Agreement.
  This year we mark the fifth anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, 
which holds the promise of ensuring a just and lasting peace in 
Northern Ireland and a stable and inclusive government for all the 
people of Northern Ireland. The Friends of Ireland stand firmly with 
those political leaders who are steadfastly working to ensure that the 
Good Friday Agreement will be fully implemented and that political 
institutions of Northern Ireland will be restored for once and for all.
  Since the Good Friday agreement we are seeing a more stable economy 
in Northern Ireland. Unemployment is down dramatically in both 
communities, inward investment is up strongly, and Northern Ireland is 
one of the fastest growing economies in Europe.
  We encourage all the parties to take the necessary steps for peace, 
and we look forward to the cessation of all paramilitary violence in 
Northern Ireland, the demilitarization of Northern Ireland, the growth 
of a police force that represents and protects all the people of 
Northern Ireland, and the enactment of justice and equality laws that 
serve all the people of Northern Ireland.
  We commend this progress and encourage greater and mutually 
beneficial economic links between the island of Ireland and the United 
States. The 44 million Americans of Irish decent share these goals, and 
join us in wishing the people of the island of Ireland a happy St. 
Patrick's Day.

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