[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 51 (Monday, March 31, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H2497-H2500]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     NORTHERN IRELAND PEACE AND RECONCILIATION SUPPORT ACT OF 2003

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 1208) to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 
2004 and 2005 of United States contributions to the International Fund 
for Ireland, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 1208

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Northern Ireland Peace and 
     Reconciliation Support Act of 2003''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS; SENSE OF CONGRESS.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
       (1) The United States has been effectively engaged in the 
     Northern Ireland peace process through both participating in 
     negotiations and contributing to the economic development of 
     the region.
       (2) Both the Government of Ireland and the Irish people and 
     the Government of the United Kingdom and the British people 
     are long-standing friends of the United States and the 
     American people.
       (3) In 1986, the United States, in support of the Agreement 
     Between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the 
     United Kingdom (``Anglo-Irish Agreement'') dated November 15, 
     1985, initiated annual contributions to the International 
     Fund for Ireland (``International Fund'') to help bolster 
     economic development and support programs that would foster 
     peace and reconciliation in

[[Page H2498]]

     Northern Ireland and the affected border areas of the 
     Republic of Ireland.
       (4) The United States has been a generous and faithful 
     donor to the International Fund, contributing more than 
     $386,000,000 to help improve relations between Catholics and 
     Protestants in Northern Ireland through the creation of 
     thousands of jobs and cross community business development.
       (5) More than 80 percent of the International Fund's 
     investments have been in disadvantaged areas offering work 
     experience and important job training programs for 
     disadvantaged and unemployed youth through the economic, 
     social, and physical regeneration of deprived areas.
       (6) The International Fund has also developed a series of 
     community-building programs promoting greater dialogue and 
     understanding between Catholics and Protestants and 
     leadership programs designed to develop a new generation of 
     leaders in Northern Ireland to bring about a more peaceful 
     and prosperous future in the region.
       (7) Through the Anglo-Irish Agreement Support Act of 1986 
     (Public Law 99-415), the United States also seeks to ensure 
     that its contributions promote ``reconciliation in Northern 
     Ireland and the establishment of a society in Northern 
     Ireland in which all may live in peace, free from 
     discrimination, terrorism, and intolerance, and with the 
     opportunity for both communities to participate fully in the 
     structures and processes of government.''.
       (8) The Good Friday Agreement reached by the Government of 
     Ireland, the Government of the United Kingdom, and political 
     party leaders on April 10, 1998, created the Northern Ireland 
     Executive Assembly and Executive Committee and provided for a 
     ``democratically elected Assembly in Northern Ireland which 
     is inclusive in its membership, capable of exercising 
     executive and legislative authority, and subject to 
     safeguards to protect the rights and interests of all sides 
     of the community.''.
       (9) The Good Friday Agreement also called for police reform 
     and establishment of a ``new beginning'' in policing in 
     Northern Ireland with an effective, accountable, and fair 
     police service capable of attracting and sustaining support 
     from the community as a whole, capable of maintaining law and 
     order, and based on principles of protection of human rights.
       (10) In 1999, the Independent Commission on Policing in 
     Northern Ireland, mandated by the Good Friday Agreement, made 
     175 recommendations for policing reform in Northern Ireland, 
     some of which have been implemented.
       (11) In 2002, the Department of State, as required by 
     section 701(d) of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, 
     Fiscal Year 2003 (Public Law 107-228), issued a ``Report on 
     Policing Reform and Human Rights in Northern Ireland'' and 
     concluded that among key areas of concern that had not been 
     fully implemented was the establishment of a critically-
     needed new police training facility and an increase in 
     funding for training programs.
       (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) United States assistance for the International Fund has 
     contributed greatly to the economic development of Northern 
     Ireland and that both objectives of the Anglo-Irish Agreement 
     Support Act of 1986, economic development and reconciliation, 
     remain critical to achieving a just and lasting peace in the 
     region, especially in the economically-depressed areas;
       (2) although there has been positive economic development 
     in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, 
     International Fund contributions to support much-needed 
     projects in economically-depressed areas of Northern Ireland 
     remain very important, and an expansion of efforts in 
     reconciliation projects as a way to promote peace and 
     economic stability is also encouraged; and
       (3) since policing reform is a significant part of winning 
     public confidence and acceptance in the new form of 
     government in Northern Ireland, the International Fund is 
     encouraged to support programs that enhance relations between 
     communities, and between the police and the communities they 
     serve, promote human rights training for police, and enhance 
     peaceful mediation in neighborhoods of continued conflict.

     SEC. 3. AMENDMENTS TO THE ANGLO-IRISH AGREEMENT SUPPORT ACT 
                   OF 1986.

       (a) Findings and Purposes.--Section 2(b) of the Anglo-Irish 
     Agreement Support Act of 1986 is amended by adding at the end 
     the following: ``Furthermore, the International Fund is 
     encouraged to support programs that enhance relations between 
     communities, and between the police and the communities they 
     serve, promote human rights training for police, enhance 
     peaceful mediation in neighborhoods of continued conflict, 
     promote training programs to enhance the new district 
     partnership police boards recommended by the Patten 
     Commission, and assist in the transition of former British 
     military installations and prisons into sites for peaceful, 
     community-supported activities, such as housing, retail, and 
     commercial development.''.
       (b) United States Contributions to the International 
     Fund.--Section 3 of the Anglo-Irish Agreement Support Act of 
     1986 is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(c) Fiscal Years 2004 and 2005.--Of the amounts made 
     available for fiscal years 2004 and 2005 to carry out chapter 
     4 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (relating 
     to the economic support fund), there are authorized to be 
     appropriated $25,000,000 for each such fiscal year for United 
     States contributions to the International Fund. Amounts 
     appropriated pursuant to the authorization of appropriations 
     under the preceding sentence are authorized to remain 
     available until expended. Of the amount authorized to be 
     appropriated for fiscal years 2004 and 2005 under this 
     subsection, it is the sense of Congress that not less than 20 
     percent of such amount for each such fiscal year should be 
     used to carry out the last sentence of section 2(b).''.
       (c) Annual Reports.--Section 6(1) of the Anglo-Irish 
     Agreement Support Act of 1986 is amended by adding at the end 
     before the semicolon the following: ``, specifically through 
     improving local community relations and relations between the 
     police and the people they serve''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Smith) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Wexler) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith).
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.


                             General Leave

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. 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 H.R. 1208, the 
bill that is now 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. Mr. Speaker, first of all, let me begin by 
thanking our leadership, beginning with the leadership on the 
committee, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde), the chairman of the 
committee, and the ranking member, the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Lantos), and for the majority leader, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. 
DeLay) for scheduling this very, very important piece of legislation 
for House consideration.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1208, the Northern Ireland Peace and Reconciliation 
Act of 2003, reauthorizes U.S. contributions to the International Fund 
for Ireland and reaffirms our government's commitment to fostering 
peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland.
  Historically, the United States has helped advance the peace process 
in Northern Ireland through several avenues. Since 1997, for example, 
we have had hearings in the Committee on International Relations, as 
well as in the Helsinki Commission; as a matter of fact, I chaired 
seven of those hearings, examining the root causes of the violence in 
Northern Ireland and the need to secure due process rights and 
fundamental freedoms for both sides of the divide. The Congress has 
also adopted several bills promoting human rights, police reform, and 
the elimination of job discrimination in Northern Ireland.
  In addition, we have provided critical economic support through the 
International Fund for Ireland. Created in 1986 by the British and 
Irish Governments, the IFI is an independent, international 
organization with two primary objectives: First, it is designed to 
promote economic and social advance in Northern Ireland; and secondly, 
the IFI is charged with fostering contact, dialogue, and reconciliation 
between Unionists and Nationalists throughout Ireland.
  I would point out to my colleagues, Mr. Speaker, that the United 
States, the European Union, Australia, and New Zealand are all donor 
countries to the fund. To date, the United States has provided more 
than $380 million to the fund, and the economic results have been 
impressive.
  A recent report conducted by a consortium of independent consultants 
led by KPMG catalogued the following achievements of the IFI:
  One, 4,400 business projects have been supported, helping to create 
more than 37,500 jobs.
  Secondly, more than 10,000 young people from the most disadvantaged 
parts and areas of North and South have participated in the Wider 
Horizons Program, which brings people together, ages 18 to 28, to work 
camps where they receive training and improvement in their employment 
prospects.
  Overall, 91 percent of the fund's commitments have been to projects 
in designated disadvantaged areas, and more

[[Page H2499]]

than 120 strategic alliances have been supported between businesses in 
Northern Ireland and the border counties and businesses elsewhere in 
Europe and North America, Australia, and New Zealand.
  Mr. Speaker, these statistics are impressive, they are tangible, but 
there is much more to the success of the International Fund for 
Ireland. It is called the peace dividend.
  Each day, in disadvantaged and troubled areas of Northern Ireland, 
the IFI is at work bringing Catholics and Protestants together at jobs 
and job training sites. Working side by side, people who traditionally 
had no contact with each other are now communicating and learning a 
little bit more about who their neighbors are. They share an interest 
and investment in their community and new bonds have been developed 
where they never existed before.
  It is also important to note that when people have solid jobs, they 
are less likely to get caught up in the sectarian strife that has 
tragically plagued this region. By focusing on the regeneration of 
impoverished neighborhoods where unemployment is the highest, the fund 
helps direct young Catholics and Protestants to job training and 
employment opportunities instead of gangs and paramilitary 
organizations.
  Mr. Speaker, my colleagues and I believe, and Members of this 
Congress believe that justice and sustainable peace will come about in 
Northern Ireland not merely through the political discussions of a few 
leaders, but the efforts to change the hearts and minds of individuals. 
This is a core part of the mission and underlying purpose of the 
International Fund for Ireland, bringing about peace by bringing 
together men and women from disparate backgrounds and disparate 
religious denominations and a successful economic environment. Indeed, 
the future is brighter in Northern Ireland in large part because of a 
new working relationship that has been forged with the economic help of 
the IFI.
  Mr. Speaker, on the political side, progress indeed is being made in 
Northern Ireland. We all know it and celebrate it. I recently returned 
from a human rights mission to Belfast and to Northern Ireland and I am 
pleased to report that much has changed from my last trip in 1997 and 
much significant change, dramatic change has occurred over the last 
decade. There are now many signs of hope. Sections of Northern Ireland 
have experienced substantial economic growth and, as a result of the 
restored cease-fire of 1997 and the Good Friday Agreement signed in 
1998, both communities in the North are working hard to obtain a just 
and lasting peace and to secure local democratic government.
  Regrettably, the process is not without obstacles. Last October, the 
British Government suspended the Northern Ireland Assembly. Policing 
reform and criminal justice review, demilitarization, and the 
completion of decommissioning are among the issues that still need to 
be resolved.
  However, in recent weeks, let me point out to my colleagues, there 
has been a renewed and concerted effort by the British and Irish 
Governments to address these issues, to bring the major political 
parties together, and to find a way forward before new elections are 
held in May.
  H.R. 1208 ensures that the IFI will continue to benefit from U.S. 
contributions and continue to do its good work for peace and for 
reconciliation. The bill provides a $50 million amount over the next 2 
years.
  It also encourages the IFI to develop new ways to promote 
reconciliation in the North. In particular, we are hoping that the IFI 
will look even more closely at programs aimed at enhancing 
intercommunity relations, community relations with the new police 
service, and programs that promote and ensure fundamental human rights.
  For example, the legislation specifically urges the IFI to do more 
work to enhance relations between the police and the communities they 
serve through promoting human rights training and enhancing the new 
district police partnership police boards recommended by the Patten 
Commission. It also encourages a fund to assist in the transition of 
former British military sites into venues for housing, retail, and 
other community-supported uses.
  Again, I want to thank my colleagues who helped work for and support 
the final passage of this legislation, especially the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Hyde), the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. King), the gentleman from New York (Mr. 
Crowley), and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne) from the 
Committee on International Relations who have all lent their strong 
support to this legislation, as well as the gentleman from New York 
(Mr. Walsh) and the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Neal). All are 
longtime supporters of the Northern Ireland peace process and are true 
friends of the people of Northern Ireland and of Ireland itself.
  I would like to note that the text we are considering today contains 
a technical amendment to reflect progress the IFI is making towards 
using funds for specific reconciliation projects and, again, I hope 
that Members will support this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WEXLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, 
and I rise in strong support of this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to commend our colleague, the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Smith) for bringing this bill to the floor today and for 
his effort in drafting this legislation.

                              {time}  1530

  He has been a champion of human rights issues, and this bill today is 
just the most recent example of his leadership.
  In 1986, the Congress adopted the Northern Ireland Peace and 
Reconciliation Support Act, legislation establishing the International 
Fund for Ireland. This legislation today seeks to revitalize this 
critically important program, and it is most appropriate that we do so.
  When the original International Fund for Ireland was established, 
Northern Ireland suffered from serious unemployment and economic 
stagnation. The purpose of the fund was to encourage economic 
development and cooperation between the Catholic and the Protestant 
communities in economically deprived areas of Northern Ireland. I am 
delighted that it has contributed to the economic success and growth in 
that area.
  The economic stimulus that the fund sought is less necessary today 
than it was when this program was created. The Good Friday Agreement of 
1998, in which then-U.S. President Bill Clinton played a key role, 
marked an important step forward in reconciliation in Northern Ireland. 
We have seen progress in reducing violence, although we have not 
achieved the full peace that all of us seek.
  The changes to this legislation we are considering today will permit 
this program to continue to expend resources for projects and conflict 
resolution for the critical support of human rights training for police 
and for programs to foster peaceful mediation in neighborhoods where 
conflict still exists.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. Walsh).
  Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentleman from New 
Jersey for yielding time to me on this important legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, our contributions to the International Fund for Ireland 
since 1986 have been a vital contributor to the progress towards peace 
in that troubled region. This bill authorizes last year's level of $25 
million, and is a U.S. vote of confidence in the peace process and the 
peaceful future of Northern Ireland, which we want and we see unfolding 
at long last.
  It is also a vote of thanks to the Irish Prime Minister, Bertie 
Ahern, who has supported our efforts in Iraq with keeping Shannon 
Airport open for American military troop refueling flights.
  Peace in Northern Ireland, which these International Fund for Ireland 
monies also support, helps end the British Army massive presence there 
and makes it easier for them to help support our activities in Iraq. I 
believe

[[Page H2500]]

hundreds of troops from Northern Ireland are there now playing a very 
crucial role.
  I compliment the chairman, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), 
and the original cosponsors, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde), 
the gentleman from New York (Mr. King), the gentleman from 
Massachusetts (Mr. Neal), the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley), 
and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne), for all their years of 
firm dedication to peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and for 
leading the way on H.R. 1208, now before us.
  Now more than ever, as we reach the possibility of the end game in 
the north of Ireland of lasting peace and justice, the U.S. 
contribution to the IFI must be maintained, yet somewhat refocused. We 
need IFI to address new needs as we set about cementing the peace. 
Besides just economic development through cross-community job projects, 
which is still very important, we also need the IFI to play an 
increasing role in more direct reconciliation efforts.
  The bill sets out a reasonable and workable spending formula, 20 
percent direct reconciliation versus 80 percent economic development, 
for the use of U.S. contributions to the IFI. This expenditure formula 
will help refocus the U.S. monies to meet new requirements and 
challenges.
  The Good Friday agreement was not around when the IFI was founded in 
1986; and no one envisioned then, for example, a new acceptable, as 
well as accountable, police service in the north and many other changes 
that are now a reality.
  Another good example of the IFI's new role, as Mark Durkin, the 
leader of SDLP pointed out to me just a few weeks ago, is helping in 
the transitional use of former British military bases and prisons being 
closed, changing those into housing projects, shopping centers, and 
industrial parks. IFI needs to be helpful in brokering deals on the 
peaceful use of these old military sites, once the very symbols of the 
``troubles.'' This is truly turning swords into plowshares, and the IFI 
can and should help.
  H.R. 1208 specifically requires the IFI to spend 20 percent of our 
contribution to help support programs that enhance direct 
reconciliation between both communities, and between police and all the 
communities they serve in the north. The IFI under the bill is 
encouraged to promote human rights training for police, enhance 
mediation efforts in interface areas of continuing conflict, and to 
promote training of the new cross-community district police partnership 
boards in the north.
  These new reconciliation efforts will soon ensure the future of the 
north and the security of these warm and generous people and their 
elected leaders under the established power-sharing institutions of the 
Good Friday Agreement.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge full support by the House of H.R. 1208.
  Mr. WEXLER. 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 myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York (Chairman Walsh) for 
his longstanding leadership on behalf of peace and justice and fairness 
in Northern Ireland. He has been indefatigable over these many years, 
and he continues to be. I would thank him for his leadership and remind 
my colleagues of the importance of trying to get the IFI to look 
further into reconciliation projects and police reform projects.
  As I indicated earlier, we have had seven hearings on police reform 
in Northern Ireland with a focus on what the United States can do to 
try to foster that, so there is total transparency, and the best type 
of methods used by police with human rights training being part of 
that. It has become very clear that this would help to advance that 
kind of understanding between the two communities. Those barriers need 
to be broken down. We do it by getting both communities working 
together.
  We are, I think, or many of us, very encouraged that Hugh Orde is the 
new chief constable. He replaces a man that many of us had very serious 
disagreements with in the past, and our hope is that he will continue 
and even accelerate the pace of reform. This helps to build under him 
additional strong Earth and concrete, and a base for him to go forward.
  This bill has worked; this law has worked; and the IFI, the 
International Fund for Ireland, has worked for many years to foster 
reconciliation. This bill gives it an additional push and would provide 
$25 million authorization for each of the next 2 years.
  Again, I want to thank all Members for their support. It is a 
bipartisan bill.
  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Northern 
Ireland Peace and Reconciliation Support Act.
  As we all know, the peace process in Northern Ireland is at a 
critical juncture and now is not the time to decrease funding for a 
critical program such as the International Fund for Ireland.
  The International Fund for Ireland was established as an independent, 
international organization by the British and Irish Governments in 
1986, and receives contributions from the United States, the European 
Union, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
  The International Fund for Ireland is so important because it 
promotes economic and social advance and encourages contact, dialogue 
and reconciliation between Unionists and Nationalists throughout 
Ireland.
  This is a proven program that successfully brings together two groups 
and teaches them to work together and helps to foster friendships and 
understanding.
  Dialogue is a key tool to lead to the decommissioning of all parties, 
a fair police force and a feeling of unity and peace in Ireland.
  That is why I am concerned about the significant cut to the 
International Fund for Ireland.
  The Northern Ireland Peace and Reconciliation Support Act will 
authorize $25 million in funding for the International Fund for 
Ireland, which will match the funding level provided by Congress in the 
Fiscal Year 2003 not the current request of $8 million.
  Now is not the time to decrease this program and I urge all members 
to support the Northern Ireland Peace and Reconciliation Support Act.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Petri). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) that House suspend 
the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1208, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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