[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 108 (Tuesday, July 19, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1358]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  JULY 12TH OPENING OF PARADE SEASON IN NORTHERN IRELAND AND CALL FOR 
                                 PEACE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 19, 2011

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, July 12th marked what is commonly known as 
``parade season'' in Northern Ireland.
  It also marks the beginning of what is historically a tense and even 
violent time for the region.
  In preparation for this time, Northern Ireland's First and Deputy 
First Ministers, Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness, called for calm 
during this summer period and urged citizens not to take steps 
backwards and further stall progress towards peace.
  The July 12th parades mark the 1690 victory of Protestant King 
William of Orange over Catholic King James at the Battle of the Boyne. 
The annual parades by Protestants often precipitate Catholic protests.
  Before the ``Good Friday Accords'' or Belfast peace agreement, in 
1998, Northern Ireland suffered a three decade period of intense 
fighting and violence known as the ``Troubles''.
  Unfortunately, this past week harkened back to that time, with 
rioting throughout the region, police officers and citizens injured, 
and outbursts occurring almost every day with attacks to churches, 
vehicles, and homes.
  I am confident that no one in Northern Ireland truly wants to go back 
to a time of consistent violence and unrest.
  It is at this critical time that we are reminded of the need for 
constructive political discourse and peaceful debate about the issues 
that are of greatest concern to the people of Northern Ireland.
  The Good Friday Accords need to serve as guidelines at all times, 
especially the most contentious times, as to how peace and compromise 
should rule the day.
  Going back on the progress made since the accords and with the recent 
elections in Northern Ireland would be a mistake, and I believe that 
those in Northern Ireland and the Irish Diaspora around the world would 
agree.
  Northern Ireland leaders are urging their residents to pick up the 
call for peace and work towards compromise during the parade season.
  Mr. Robinson asked that ``everyone [take] a step back and think of 
the consequences before doing something which you will later regret.''
  He continued, ``We must not allow the progress that has been made to 
be thwarted by those who want to drag us back to the past. We are 
determined to build a better and brighter future for all in Northern 
Ireland.
  I echo the leaders' call and implore Irish American citizens and all 
Irish people in the world to show their support for peace during this 
parade season, the summer, and throughout the year.

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