[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 82 (Thursday, May 17, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6359-S6360]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR NEW POWER-SHARING GOVERNMENT IN NORTHERN IRELAND

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now 
proceed to S. Res. 209.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:
  A resolution (S. Res. 209) expressing support for the new power-
sharing government in Northern Ireland.
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, I am delighted to join Senators Dodd, 
Biden, Collins, Kerry, McCain, Clinton, Leahy, Smith, Schumer and Obama 
in support of a Senate resolution commending the extraordinary success 
of achievement last week in the peace process in northern Ireland.
  Ten days ago, on May 8, I was in Belfast to witness the dawn of a new 
day in the history of northern Ireland--a day that reaffirmed that 
peace is possible, even in the face of tragic history.
  It was an honor to participate in a White House delegation to Belfast 
and to join Prime Minister Blair of Great Britain and Prime Minister 
Ahern of Ireland, who have been powerful forces for peace and 
reconciliation, as former foes in northern Ireland took the oath of 
office and agreed to share power on an equal basis.
  This success could not have been achieved without the courage and 
determination of the political leaders of northern Ireland over many 
years in securing a new way forward and forming a new government that 
offers hope for a brighter future for all the people of that land and a 
healing of the terrible wounds of the past.

[[Page S6360]]

  The courageous example of the people of northern Ireland, who have 
chosen peace and reconciliation, also offers a lesson of hope to other 
troubled areas of the world.
  The resolution we are introducing expresses the strong support of the 
United States for the new power-sharing Government. It recognizes the 
contributions of British and Irish and American leaders whose efforts 
over the years have been indispensable in to the formation of the new 
Government and the achievement of lasting peace and stability in 
northern Ireland.
  May 8 will long be remembered as a historic day for peace in northern 
Ireland. All friends of Ireland in the United States commend the First 
Minister of the new Government, Reverend Ian Paisley of the Democratic 
Unionist Party and the Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness of Sinn 
Fein for coming together in peace to begin this new era of hope for all 
the people of northern Ireland, and we wish them continuing success in 
meeting the challenges that lie ahead.
  The United States stands ready to support their new Government. I 
urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be 
laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to the resolution 
be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 209) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 209

       Whereas, on May 8, 2007, the Reverend Ian Paisley and 
     Martin McGuinness became Northern Ireland's first minister 
     and deputy first minister, marking the beginning of a new era 
     of power-sharing;
       Whereas Reverend Paisley, the Democratic Unionist leader, 
     and Mr. McGuinness, the Sinn Fein negotiator, have put aside 
     decades of conflict and moved towards historic reconciliation 
     and unity in Northern Ireland;
       Whereas, on May 8, 2007, Reverend Paisley declared, ``I 
     believe that Northern Ireland has come to a time of peace, a 
     time when hate will no longer rule.'';
       Whereas Mr. McGuinness declared this new government to be 
     ``a fundamental change of approach, with parties moving 
     forward together to build a better future for the people that 
     we represent'';
       Whereas British Prime Minister Tony Blair declared that 
     ``today marks not just the completion of the transition from 
     conflict to peace, but also gives the most visible expression 
     to the fundamental principle on which the peace process has 
     been based. The acceptance that the future of Northern 
     Ireland can only be governed successfully by both communities 
     working together, equal before the law, equal in the mutual 
     respect shown by all and equally committed both to sharing 
     power and to securing peace. That is the only basis upon 
     which true democracy can function and by which normal 
     politics can at last after decades of violence and suffering 
     come to this beautiful but troubled land.'';
       Whereas the Taoiseach of Ireland, Bertie Ahern, declared 
     that ``on this day, we mark the historic beginning of a new 
     era for Northern Ireland. An era founded on peace and 
     partnership. An era of new politics and new realities.''; and
       Whereas President George W. Bush, like his predecessor 
     President William J. Clinton, has worked tirelessly to bring 
     the parties in Northern Ireland together in support of 
     fulfilling the promises of the Good Friday Accords.
       Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that--
       (1) the United States stands strongly in support of the new 
     power-sharing government in Northern Ireland;
       (2) political leaders of Northern Ireland, Prime Minister 
     Tony Blair, and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern should be commended 
     for acting in the best interest of the people of Northern 
     Ireland by forming the new power-sharing government;
       (3) May 8, 2007, will be remembered as an historic day and 
     an important milestone in cementing peace and unity for 
     Northern Ireland and a shining example for nations around the 
     world plagued by internal conflict and violence; and
       (4) the United States stands ready to support this new 
     government and to work with the people of Northern Ireland as 
     they achieve their goal of lasting peace for those who reside 
     in Northern Ireland.

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