[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 41 (Tuesday, April 4, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H1407-H1411]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR GOOD FRIDAY AGREEMENT AND CONTINUED POLICE 
                       REFORM IN NORTHERN IRELAND

  Mr. LEACH. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 744) expressing support for the Good Friday 
Agreement of 1998 as the blueprint for lasting peace in Northern 
Ireland and support for continued police reform in Northern Ireland as 
a critical element in the peace process.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 744

       Whereas the Good Friday Agreement, signed on April 10, 
     1998, in Belfast, was endorsed in a referendum by the 
     overwhelming majority of people in Northern Ireland and the 
     Republic of Ireland;
       Whereas the parties to the Good Friday Agreement made a 
     clear commitment to ``partnership, equality, and mutual 
     respect'' as the basis for moving forward in pursuit of 
     lasting peace in Northern Ireland;
       Whereas the parties to the Good Friday Agreement also 
     affirmed their ``total and absolute commitment to exclusively 
     democratic and peaceful means'' in pursuit of lasting peace 
     in Northern Ireland;
       Whereas inclusive power-sharing based on these defining 
     qualities is essential to the viability and advancement of 
     the democratic process in Northern Ireland;
       Whereas paramilitary activity by both traditions in a 
     democratic society undermines the trust and confidence that 
     are essential in a political system based on inclusive power-
     sharing in Northern Ireland;
       Whereas on September 26, 2005, the International 
     Independent Commission on Decommissioning (IICD) confirmed 
     the Irish Republican Army had destroyed its full arsenal of 
     weapons;
       Whereas the Good Friday Agreement 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 support from the entire 
     community, maintaining law and order, and adhering to the 
     principle of the protection of human rights;
       Whereas the new Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) 
     has made great strides in becoming an integrated, 
     professional, and impartial police force under civilian 
     control and responsive to all community concerns, and has 
     worked to protect both communities from violence;
       Whereas significant further work in police reform, and in 
     fostering community acceptance of the PSNI, must still be 
     accomplished;
       Whereas the Government of the United Kingdom and the 
     Government of Ireland continue to strongly support the Good 
     Friday Agreement as the way forward in the peace process and 
     have committed themselves to its implementation; and
       Whereas the Government of the United States continues to 
     strongly support the peace process in Northern Ireland: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That--
       (1) the House of Representatives--
       (A) reiterates its support for the Good Friday Agreement, 
     signed on April 10, 1998, in Belfast, as the blueprint for a 
     lasting peace in Northern Ireland;
       (B) commends the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Tony 
     Blair and the Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern for their 
     leadership and persistence in seeking a peaceful resolution 
     in Northern Ireland;
       (C) commends the Sinn Fein leadership in successfully 
     urging the Irish Republican Army to end its armed struggle 
     and verifiably put its weapons beyond use;
       (D) commends Sir Hugh S. Orde, Chief Constable of the 
     Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), for his leadership 
     and for working to protect both communities;
       (E) commends the PSNI for the institution of the Historical 
     Enquiries Team, which will provide a thorough and independent 
     examination of unresolved deaths that occurred in connection 
     with the Troubles from 1968 to 1989;
       (F) commends Nuala O'Loan and the Police Ombudsman's Office 
     for the work they have done in promoting human rights in law 
     enforcement and in fostering community confidence in the 
     PSNI; and
       (G) commends the work of the Northern Irish Policing Board 
     and its District Partnerships for promoting genuine community 
     policing in Northern Ireland; and
       (2) it is the sense of the House of Representatives that--
       (A) all groups and organizations should end their 
     involvement in paramilitary activity;
       (B) all political parties in Northern Ireland should--
       (i) agree to share power with all parties according to the 
     democratic mandate of the Good Friday Agreement; and
       (ii) commit to work in good faith with all the institutions 
     of the Good Friday Agreement, which established the Northern 
     Ireland Assembly and an inclusive Executive, the North-South 
     Ministerial Council, and the British-Irish Inter-Governmental 
     Conference, for the benefit of all the people of Northern 
     Ireland;
       (C) since policing reform is a significant part of winning 
     public confidence and acceptance in the new form of 
     government in Northern Ireland, all political parties should 
     cooperate fully with the PSNI in preventing and investigating 
     crimes; and
       (D) the Government of the United Kingdom and the Government 
     of Ireland should work to achieve full implementation of the 
     Good Friday Agreement, including devolution of policing and 
     justice, the normalization of the security presence, and of 
     the Independent Commission on Policing in Northern Ireland 
     reforms, including long-term senior-level exchanges between 
     the Garda Siochana, the police service of the Republic of 
     Ireland, and the PSNI.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Iowa (Mr. Leach) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Iowa.


                             General Leave

  Mr. LEACH. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days 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 Iowa?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. LEACH. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 744, a resolution 
introduced by International Relations Committee Chairman Henry Hyde. H. 
Res. 744 expresses support by the House for the Good Friday Agreement 
of 1998 as the blueprint for lasting peace in Northern Ireland. In 
addition, it supports continued police reform in Northern Ireland, 
which is a critical element in the implementation of the Good Friday 
Accords.
  At this time, I would like to commend Chairman Henry Hyde, as well as 
Representatives Elton Gallegly and Chris Smith as well as our 
distinguished ranking members Tom Lantos and Joe Crowley for their work 
on

[[Page H1408]]

this measure and more importantly their commitment to this singularly 
important peace process. I would like to also note the important role 
of Mr. Walsh of New York and Mr. Neal of Massachusetts as the Chair and 
Cochair of Ireland-related caucuses. H. Res. 744 also has broad-based 
support among those House Members who long have been concerned about 
finding a peaceful solution to the conflict in Northern Ireland.
  Madam Speaker, since 1969, over 3,200 have died as a result of 
terrorism and political violence in Northern Ireland. For years, the 
British and Irish governments, assisted by the United States, sought to 
facilitate a peaceful settlement to the conflict. Finally, in April of 
1998, the long-warring Catholic and Protestant factions in Northern 
Ireland signed the Good Friday Agreement. Just over a month later, 
strong majorities in both the north and south of Ireland endorsed the 
agreement in a referendum.
  The Good Friday Agreement calls for the transfer of power from London 
to Belfast and the establishment of the Northern Ireland Assembly and 
Executive Committee, in which Unionists and Nationalists share power. 
It also contains provisions on disarmament, reformed policing, human 
rights, prisoners, and demilitarization by British Armed Forces.
  Madam Speaker, while the Good Friday Agreement provides a blueprint 
for achieving peace and justice in Northern Ireland, its full 
implementation has proved difficult. The devolved Northern Ireland 
government has been suspended since October 2002 amid a loss of trust 
on both sides of the conflict.
  Unionists remain skeptical about the IRA's commitment to disarmament 
and nonviolence. As a result, they have so far refused to join the 
power-sharing institutions such as the Executive Committee, which was 
created by the Good Friday Agreement for the purpose of exercising 
executive authority in Northern Ireland.
  On the other hand, Nationalists worry about the pace of police 
reforms. They have refused to join the Policing Board, the independent 
oversight body that ensures the Police Service of Northern Ireland is 
effective, accountable and impartial.
  That leaves us at a standstill in the peace process. The Unionists do 
not have confidence as to the IRA's intentions and commitment to 
nonviolence. The Nationalists still do not have confidence in the 
police service and they question the Unionists' commitment to share 
power with Catholics.
  This legislation directly addresses these issues and clearly endorses 
the Good Friday Agreement as the exclusive framework for a lasting 
peace in Northern Ireland.
  Specifically, House Resolution 744 states that it is the sense of the 
House that all groups and both communities should end their involvement 
and paramilitary activity.
  Second, the legislation calls on all political parties to agree to 
share power and work in good faith with the power-sharing institutions 
established by the Good Friday Agreement.
  Third, since police reform is a significant part of winning public 
confidence in the new government in Northern Ireland, all political 
parties should cooperate fully with the Police Service of Northern 
Ireland.
  Lastly, House Resolution 744 calls on the governments of the United 
Kingdom and Ireland to work together to achieve full implementation of 
the Good Friday Agreement.
  The language of the resolution puts a shared onus on both sides, 
Nationalists and Unionists alike, to take the difficult next steps that 
will move the peace process forward and lead to the implementation of 
the Good Friday Agreement.
  Madam Speaker, this is an important piece of legislation that 
provides support for the Northern Ireland peace process at a critical 
time.
  Again, I commend Chairman Hyde for introducing this resolution and 
for quickly bringing it to the floor for consideration.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution. I would 
first like to thank my good friends and colleagues, Chairman Hyde and 
Congressman Chris Smith, for their tireless advocacy of peace and 
justice in Northern Ireland.
  Madam Speaker, over the past several years the peace process in 
Northern Ireland has taken many twists and turns. The Good Friday 
Accord, designed to bring an end to the conflict in Northern Ireland, 
has been declared dead time and again. During the past few months, 
however, we have witnessed very promising developments in our efforts 
to fully implement the Good Friday Accord, which was signed almost 8 
years ago.
  In July of last year, the Irish Republican Army announced that it 
would forswear violence. The IRA followed up on that announcement by 
decommissioning a substantial portion of its weapons cache last fall. 
After these dramatic events, we all hoped and expected that the Good 
Friday Accord would be fully implemented.
  It is becoming increasingly clear now that we have reached another 
impasse. Sinn Fein has refused to support the police in Northern 
Ireland or to encourage Catholic Republicans to join the police 
service. The Democratic Unionist Party has refused to enter local 
government with Sinn Fein or even to talk with them.
  Meanwhile, Madam Speaker, despite the positive moves on the part of 
Sinn Fein, the Unionist paramilitary groups have yet to follow up with 
a no-violence pledge and disarmament agreement.
  Our resolution addresses all of these outstanding issues. It 
challenges all the parties to renounce violence and to disarm, and it 
calls on all sides to fully engage in police reform.
  Madam Speaker, after many setbacks, substantial pressure has finally 
developed to fully implement the Good Friday Accord. Our resolution is 
designed to support this forward movement and to help pave the way to a 
time when the conflict in Northern Ireland is only a subject for the 
history books.
  I strongly support this resolution, Madam Speaker.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LEACH. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Walsh), who chairs the Friends of Ireland 
Committee and who has played such a central role on Irish issues in 
this Congress.
  Mr. WALSH. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Iowa for 
yielding time to me and for his leadership on all issues relating to 
the International Relations Committee. I would especially like to thank 
Chairman Hyde and Ranking Member Lantos for their leadership and the 
entire International Relations Committee and their staff for their hard 
work and effort in getting this important resolution to the floor at 
such a critical period in the Northern Ireland peace process.
  The timing of this resolution could not be more appropriate. We are 
fast approaching the eighth anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, 
and recent media reporting suggests that the British and Irish 
governments are working to restore a devolved government that has been 
under suspension since the police raids and the Unionist walkout of 
October 2002.
  As one of 35 million Irish Americans in this country, I can't tell 
you how pleased and encouraged I am with these developments. For far 
too long, the people of Northern Ireland have been denied an equal 
voice and equal representation in government. It is time for the 
Assembly and Executive to be up and running and the people's business 
to be addressed.
  Her island's citizens have spoken. They expressed their views for a 
shared future by overwhelmingly approving the Good Friday Accords by a 
margin of 95 percent in the Republic of Ireland and 71 percent in 
Northern Ireland. It is time for Northern Ireland's political 
leadership to acknowledge their wishes and fully carry them out.
  In the last few years, progress has been spotty, but, nonetheless, 
there has been progress. That progress must continue without any 
backward steps or delays. I believe recognizing a few key leaders that 
have nurtured this progress can help highlight and strengthen this 
initiative.
  First I would commend Prime Minister Tony Blair of Great Britain and

[[Page H1409]]

the Republic of Ireland's Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern. Northern Ireland has 
no better friend than these two men. They have been understanding to 
all viewpoints and fair to all political denominations and respectful 
of all traditions. They have been firm in conviction and steadfast in 
their beliefs; and, most importantly, they have been true leaders 
committed to a lasting peace. Both men deserve recognition and praise 
for their work.
  Second, the leadership of Sinn Fein for their role in facilitating 
the complete decommissioning of the IRA's weaponry. This was certainly 
no small task. Sinn Fein has never received the full credit it deserves 
for delivering this historic moment. Sinn Fein made the commitment, the 
commitment was delivered in full, and that commitment has been verified 
by the International Monitoring Commission and the International 
Commission on Decommissioning led by General de Chastelain.
  I have read reports of individuals being skeptical and wary of this 
declaration, but the facts speak for themselves. The IRA has abandoned 
its armed struggle in pursuit of its goals by political means. This 
must be fully acknowledged. Continued challenge does nothing but 
obstruct and inhibit the peace process.
  I would like to add also, Madam Speaker, that the members of the 
Democratic Unionist Party, the DUP, led by Dr. Ian Paisley, will be 
here today meeting with Members of Congress, and we welcome them. We 
are delighted that they are here. We are excited about hearing their 
vision for the future of Northern Ireland, and they will be here to 
express that and develop personal relationships. Many of them are 
members of Parliament, in addition to being elected members of the 
legislative assembly in Northern Ireland.
  Finally, the Policing Service in Northern Ireland, under the 
leadership of Hugh Orde and Nuala O'Loan, deserves recognition. 
Northern Ireland has experienced a dramatic improvement in policing 
over the last 8 years, with the current Catholic to Protestant 
employment percentage up 18 percent since the restructuring, and the 
police recruit ratio holding firm at 50-50.
  It is imperative that people in all communities recognize that the 
Policing Service, while not perfect, is certainly not the Policing 
Service of old. They must begin to develop a relationship of trust and 
confidence in their police. It is only through this type of 
relationship that the community will be best served.

                              {time}  1445

  Madam Speaker, again it gives me great pleasure to stand before you 
today in order to praise the Good Friday Agreement as the framework for 
peace in Northern Ireland and to recognize the remarkable progress that 
has been achieved.
  I would also like to recognize the efforts of all the Members of 
Congress, House and Senate, and Presidents of both parties for their 
commitment to this process. I commend the efforts of all past leaders 
who have put personal and political ramifications aside for the greater 
good of Northern Ireland and urge all current leaders to continue to 
move forward. I urge adoption of this resolution.
  Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to our distinguished 
colleague and my good friend, the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. 
McCarthy).
  Mrs. McCARTHY. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from California 
for bringing this important legislation and resolution to the floor and 
I thank my colleagues that have been working on this for years.
  I have been in Congress for 10 years now and during that 10 years we 
have been working on peace in Ireland. Many of us that are Irish call 
it ``the troubles'' which have continued over these years. And every 
time there seemed to have been a little bit of sunlight and we actually 
thought that peace would finally come to Northern Ireland, and we 
certainly fought and worked for that. But the Good Friday Agreement is 
certainly an important piece of legislation and it gave the goal and 
certainly the hope to the people of Ireland, and I think that is 
probably the most important thing.
  There have been many bumps in the road over the years with the Good 
Friday Agreement, but it was the people of Northern Ireland, it was the 
people that basically said, let's go forward. So each time that we saw, 
as I call it, a bump in the road or a stop sign, it was the people of 
Ireland that said let's go forward. I happen to think we are at the 
crossroads now. And I happen to think that with all the people here in 
Congress especially, I support the things that have been said from my 
colleagues that we are honestly going to see hopefully peace come.
  Ireland economically has done very well and we will continue to 
support them to do that. But I have to say when the IRA agreed to give 
up its weapons last February, I think that was certainly the biggest 
step that we could have asked. The people remain cautious in Ireland, 
but I do believe the IRA is showing good faith.
  In February the Independent Monitoring Commission released a report. 
The report found that security forces believe that the IRA held on to 
weapons and is still intelligence gathering. In spite of that, the IMC 
stated that the IRA seemed to be moving in the right direction.
  It is important that the people in Ireland who are working towards 
peace know that they have the support of the United States in these 
efforts. I encourage the Irish people to continue their work in the 
peace process, and I am proud to support this legislation.
  We here in Congress carry a great deal of weight. The people of 
Ireland do trust us. They appreciate us being with them during the good 
times and the bad times. I would like to say thank you to my colleague, 
Mr. Walsh, for all the great work in bringing us over to Ireland to 
meet with all political groups so we can try to see peace in our 
lifetime.
  The Policing Commission has always been a stumbling stone, and yet 
when we have gone there and we have met and we have seen young Irish 
Catholic men and women joining the police force and the same on the 
Protestant side and learning how to be together, there is great hope in 
the future for all of us. But Northern Ireland and Ireland is going to 
win in the end, and the United States, I am happy to say, had a lot to 
do with that.
  Mr. LEACH. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), who has been such a leader on so 
many issues, including those that relate to Ireland.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I thank my good friend, 
Chairman Leach, for yielding me time and for his leadership on this and 
on so many other resolutions and initiatives as well on behalf of human 
rights.
  Mr. Lantos, it is great to see you again on the floor, not 
unexpected. You are always here fighting the good fight on behalf of 
human rights.
  Madam Speaker, I especially want to commend Chairman Hyde for 
offering this resolution. I am very proud to be one of the original 
cosponsors of it. It is a collaborative effort that strongly restates 
U.S. support for the Good Friday Agreement signed 8 years ago this 
month.
  Madam Speaker, the Hyde resolution also underscores our unyielding 
support for the establishment of peace, justice, reconciliation and 
prosperity in Northern Ireland which we have all hoped for and we have 
all prayed for. While we are not there yet there has been some very 
encouraging signs.
  On March 15, Madam Speaker, I chaired my eleventh hearing on the 
Northern Ireland peace process. All of these hearings have been 
comprehensive and insightful but this one was the first since the IRA's 
full renunciation of arms struggle and the decommissioning of its 
weapons.
  Our resolution today makes note of that historic milestone, a 
remarkable development in the path to peace. Of course, equally 
significant for the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement is 
true, durable and transparent police reform. Here, too, Madam Speaker, 
there has been progress.
  Today there is a vigorous and fiercely independent Police Ombudsman's 
Office, whose chief, Nuala O'Loane, has been a catalyst for reform. 
There is now a Policing Board in Northern Ireland composed of 
independent and party representatives to design and provide civilian 
control and fair nonsectarian policing. The Chairman, Sir Desmond Rea, 
and retiring Vice Chairman, Dennis Bradley, testified at our

[[Page H1410]]

most recent hearing. There is a new Historical Enquiries Team 
established by the PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde, which will provide a 
thorough and independent examination of unresolved deaths that occurred 
in connection with the troubles from 1968 to 1989.
  H. Res. 744 rightly commends Nuala O'Loane, Sir Hugh, and the new 
policing institutions for the progress that they have made, often under 
very adversarial conditions. Even with these improvements, Madam 
Speaker, significant work further remains to be done in order to ensure 
acceptance by all the communities of the PSNI. A key stumbling block to 
that greater acceptance has been the lack of resolution of charges of 
official collusion in the murder of human rights lawyer Patrick 
Finucane. In 2001 the British and Irish governments jointly appointed 
Judge Peter Cory, a preeminent retired justice of the Supreme Court of 
Canada, to determine whether independent commissions should investigate 
possible state-sponsored collusion in six notorious and horrific 
murders. They also pledge to abide by his recommendations.
  Two years ago Judge Cory, and he too testified at one point before 
our committee, 2 years ago he issued his report; and it called for five 
of the six murderers to be investigated independently. Yet, I am sorry 
to say, the British government has still not appointed an inquiry 
commission into the murder of the human rights attorney, Pat Finucane, 
who was gunned down in his home in front of his wife and three small 
children in 1989.
  Every one of the 11 hearings that I have chaired on human rights and 
police reform in Northern Ireland has dealt with Pat Finucane's murder 
in whole or in part, yet still nothing has been done. The U.K. 
government must find a way to institute a credible inquiry which will 
be stepped by all, by Judge Cory, the Irish Republic, by the world 
community, but most of all, by the Finucane family.
  If the population of Northern Ireland is to cease relying on 
paramilitaries for protection, which they absolutely must do, they must 
never rely on that, and transfer its trust to the police, it must have 
the confidence that the police and the authorities deserve trust. That 
is the major reason why these inquiries must be done and done right as 
soon as possible.
  Again, I want to commend Chairman Hyde, Chairman Gallegly, Mr. Walsh, 
Mr. King, of course Mr. Lantos again, and Chairman Leach, and also many 
of our staffs, including Mary Noonan, Richard Mereu and Dennis Curry 
for their work in writing and crafting this resolution which will put 
us in a bipartisan way on record for saying that the peace process must 
continue and the Good Friday Agreement must be fully implemented.
  Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I want to commend all of my colleagues who 
have worked on this legislation. We have no further requests for time 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LEACH. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, but I 
would like to conclude with just one reference to a distinguished 
American that is a member of your side, Senator George Mitchell, who 
did so much to work to achieve and develop the accord that we are now 
referencing in this resolution.
  Mr. CROWLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this 
legislation introduced by Chairman Hyde.
  Chairman Hyde, I would like to commend you for your continued support 
of the Good Friday Agreement and a lasting peace in the north of 
Ireland.
  A few weeks ago during the Saint Patrick's Day festivities I had an 
opportunity to meet with many of the actors involved in creating a 
lasting peace in the north of Ireland.
  When I met with the Taoiseach and Gerry Adams about the ongoing 
situation, I stressed the importance of bringing about representational 
government to the people of the north.
  It has been over three years since free and fair elections took place 
in the north.
  The people spoke and elected leaders to represent them, but I am sad 
to say when they went to the voting booth in November of 2003, their 
vote was not respected.
  This issue needs to move forward so the people of the north can 
finally have democratic rule.
  If a true and lasting peace is ever to be achieved the people must be 
able to feel they are invested in the process.
  All parties must begin to put aside their differences and work toward 
the common goal of peace and reconciliation in the north.
  This battle has been allowed to go on for too long with seemingly 
both sides knowing what the other is doing.
  The IRA has lived up to its obligations and fully decommissioned and 
now it is time for Unionist paramilitary groups to for their example.
  I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this legislation and would 
urge all of my colleagues to send a strong message to the parties 
involved in the peace process.
  The House of Representatives is engaged and would like to forward 
movement.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the resolution.
  In doing so, I want to commend the tremendous work of an organization 
known as the Washington Ireland Program, or ``WIP.'' Every year since I 
came to Congress in 1999, I have hosted a WIP student and I have found 
these students from both the North and the Republic of Ireland to be 
exceptional future leaders. WIP is a six-month program of personal and 
professional development that brings outstanding Protestant and 
Catholic university students from Northern Ireland and the Republic of 
Ireland to Washington, DC, for summer internships and leadership 
training. The program begins and ends with practical service in 
Northern Ireland and Ireland. In Washington, participants get firsthand 
experience with U.S. government and politics and an immersion in 
American culture by living with area Host Families. Through an intense 
eight-week schedule, young people from different sides of the political 
divide are challenged to work and learn as a team and to create an 
environment of mutual respect. The program aims to send students home 
with enhanced professional interpersonal skills and a new confidence in 
their own leadership abilities which they are expected to demonstrate 
through service to their own communities.
  To date, 300 young adults have graduated from the program. Many WIP 
graduatess moved into important careers in politics, business, media, 
and education. These include: a research officer to the NI First 
Minister in Westminster; television and radio news journalists; 
reporters for major newspapers in Belfast and London; barristers and 
solicitors; university professors and primary school teachers; 
consultants with Accenture and Price WaterhouseCoopers; Dublin PR firm 
managers; assistant to Members of the NI Assembly and the Irish 
Parliament; political party operatives in Northern Ireland and the 
Republic; and Executive Officer for the Home Office in London.
  This dynamic program should serve as a model for many of the 
geographically and religiously conflicted areas around the world. WIP 
is helping to ensure a lasting peace throughout the Emerald Isle. I 
congratulate its officials, staff, and volunteers, and hope that my 
colleagues will join me in supporting its efforts in the years to come.
  Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong and 
enthusiastic favor of H. Res. 744, which expresses support for the Good 
Friday Agreement of 1998 as the blueprint for lasting peace in Northern 
Ireland and support for continued police reform in Northern Ireland as 
a critical element in the peace process.
  Throughout my tenure in Congress, I have been a strong supporter of 
reinforcing the strong ties between Ireland and the United States. As a 
member of the Ad-Hoc Committee on Irish Affairs, one of my top goals is 
the achievement of peace, justice, human rights, and political 
stability in Northern Ireland.
  Since the completion of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, the U.S. 
has worked with all interested parties to help with its implementation. 
With over 40 million Americans being of Irish heritage, it is vital 
that the United States continue to play an active role in this process 
and contribute both the political and economic support needed to ensure 
that peace continues in Northern Ireland.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize the efforts of the involved 
parties who are working daily to make the promise of the Good Friday 
Agreement a reality. In recent months, there has been a promising 
softening of the Unionist position with relatively more favorable 
comments toward the Agreement. And, of course, the Sinn Fein has backed 
and overseen the IRA's abandonment of its armed campaign.
  These are exciting steps toward a sustained and lasting peace in 
Northern Ireland. And, I remain very hopeful that the parties can make 
further progress toward a fully functioning government that operates in 
regular order to meet the needs of the Irish people.
  I commend the Irish people on all of its successes and hard work and 
encourage all of my colleagues to support this important resolution.
  Mr. HYDE. Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to offer H. Res. 744, 
which expresses

[[Page H1411]]

support for the Good Friday Agreement as the blueprint for lasting 
peace in Northern Ireland and support for continued police reform in 
Northern Ireland as a critical element in the peace process. I 
compliment the work of Subcommittee Chairmen Elton Gallegly and 
Christopher Smith for improving and making the originally-introduced 
version even more constructive and stronger on policing. The Good 
Friday Agreement needs U.S. support and a push to fully implement all 
of its terms.
  On the important issue of policing reform, the resolution before us 
wisely reflects the overall view of the Independent Monitoring 
Commission (IMC) for the north of Ireland, which has closely monitored 
paramilitary activities and made many critical suggestions for reform 
and change, especially in the area of a new beginning on policing.
  The IMC is made up of highly respected representatives appointed by 
both the Irish and British Governments, and includes an American as 
well. In its May 2005 report to the two governments and interested 
parties, the IMC stated some key findings on the responsibilities of 
all of the political parties on criminal justice, and it has just 
reiterated these again in its February 2006 report.
  The IMC said that all the parties should, among other things:
  ``Give credible vocal and practical support to all parts of the 
criminal justice system, including policing . . .''
  ``Play a full and constructive role in the participative organs of 
the criminal justice system, such as the Policing Board and the 
District Policing Partnerships.''
  These are some wise and constructive suggestions, which this 
resolution supports and fully endorses. We would encourage Sinn Fein 
and all the parties in the north to honor and live by these ideas for a 
better, more secure and democratic north of Ireland. There is no place 
for violence in the process.
  Finally, my resolution also calls on both the Irish and British 
governments to fully implement the important Patten Commission police 
reform provision which calls for senior-level police officer exchanges 
between the Republic of Ireland and the Police Service of Northern 
Ireland (PSNI). These exchanges are clearly needed so that some of the 
cultural, religious, and other long-standing issues dividing 
communities and the police in the north can fully benefit from senior-
level understanding and diversity.
  I urge adoption of the resolution.
  Mr. MURPHY. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 744, 
which honors the Good Friday Agreement of 1998 for being what I believe 
is, as the resolution states, ``the blueprint for lasting peace in 
Northern Ireland.''
  Next Monday, April 10, 2006 will mark the 8th anniversary of the Good 
Friday Agreement, which has helped to bring nearly a decade of peace to 
Northern Ireland. As a result of the historic Good Friday Agreement, 
there is perhaps a greater potential for lasting peace in Northern 
Ireland now than perhaps ever, since the establishment of the Irish 
Republic. The Good Friday Agreement has outlined a plan for peace and 
reconciliation in the 21st century.
  I believe the most significant result of the Good Friday Agreement 
was the revival of the Northern Ireland Assembly, a devolved government 
body that has facilitated important debate between the political 
parties. Consequently, problems have been directly and civilly 
addressed through free and open debate. Unfortunately, as my colleagues 
know, due to disagreements between the political parties--the Social 
Democrat and Labor Party, the Ulster Unionist Party, the Democratic 
Unionist Party, and Sinn Fein--the Northern Ireland Assembly has been 
suspended since October of 2002. Ever since, the British government has 
taken direct control over the government to ensure stability. I would 
hope all sides can agree to terms in order to allow the Assembly to be 
reestablished.
  Madam Speaker, I have met with the leaders of Sinn Fein, the DUP, the 
UUP and the SDLP, both here in the U.S. and in Ireland. All parties 
have conveyed to me that they agree it is vital for the future security 
of the North that new elections be held, an Executive put in place, and 
the legislative assembly reconvened. I agree with this view, and 
express the support of the U.S. House of Representatives to facilitate 
the peace process.
  I thank the distinguished Chairman of the International Relations 
Committee, Mr. Hyde, for authoring this resolution.
  Mr. KING of New York. Madam Speaker, today I rise in strong support 
of H. Res. 744, a resolution that expresses support for the Good Friday 
Agreement as the blueprint for lasting peace in the North of Ireland. 
H. Res. 744 is an expanded version of a resolution written by my 
colleagues Jim Walsh, Richard Neal, Joe Crowley, and I last November. I 
appreciate Chairman Hyde sponsoring this new bill with its additional 
language which I believe strengthens our initial endeavor and moving it 
to the House floor promptly. I am also grateful for the opportunity to 
work with the Chairman and his staff on the drafting of this 
resolution.
  H. Res. 744 expresses our strong commitment to the ideals of the Good 
Friday Agreement, a referendum that was endorsed by an overwhelmingly 
majority of the people living both in the North and the Republic of 
Ireland on April 10, 1998. As we approach the 8th anniversary of this 
date, I think it is important to recognize those groups and individuals 
who have committed themselves to peace, justice, and equality and 
worked to fully implement this agreement. Much progress has been made 
since 1998 but much still more needs to be done.
  First, I'd like to commend (UK) Prime Minister Tony Blair and the 
(Irish) Taoiseach Bertie Ahem for their leadership in securing a 
peaceful resolution in the North of Ireland. We would certainly not be 
where we are today if it were not for these two great statesmen. I'd 
also like to thank our own government, including both the Clinton and 
Bush Administrations, for their dedication and efforts to move this 
process forward. We have been lucky to have fine diplomats such as 
George Mitchell, Tony Lake, Richard Haass, and Mitchell Reiss play 
vital roles during the past decade.
  One of the most significant changes in the North recently related to 
the changes in policing. The new Police Service of Northern Ireland 
(PSNI) has adopted many of the Patten recommendations to become a much 
more integrated, professional, and impartial police force. Under the 
leadership of its chief constable, Sir Hugh Orde, and its ombudsman, 
Nuala O'Loan, the PSNI is a much more effective and accountable law 
enforcement agency that promotes human rights and fosters community 
confidence.
  Finally, I'd like to commend the leadership of Sinn Fein, 
specifically Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness, for successfully urging 
the Irish Republican Army to end its armed campaign and verifiably put 
all of its weapons beyond use. This was a crucial step in the peace 
process to demonstrate the Republicans' commitment to an exclusively 
democratic and peaceful process. There is no place for any 
paramilitaries in the North of Ireland and it is my hope that the 
remaining private armies will follow the IRA's lead by destroying their 
weapons and signing up to the peace process.
  Now is a critical time for the people and the political parties in 
the North of Ireland. This Thursday the British and Irish governments 
intend to publish their plans for a resumption of the Northern Ireland 
Assembly and Executive. It is long past due for this government to be 
back up and running. But for this to happen, all parties must agree to 
share power and commit themselves to the full implementation of the 
Good Friday Agreement.
  Mr. LEACH. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Biggert). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Leach) that the House suspend 
the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 744.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. LANTOS. 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 question will 
be postponed.

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