[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 79 (Wednesday, May 18, 2016)]
[House]
[Pages H2712-H2713]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       COMMEMORATING 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 1916 EASTER RISING

  Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the 
Committee on Foreign Affairs be discharged from further consideration 
of the resolution (H. Res. 716) commemorating the 100th anniversary of 
the 1916 Easter Rising, a seminal moment in Ireland's journey to 
independence, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.

[[Page H2713]]

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 716

       Whereas the 100th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising has 
     a particular resonance in the United States;
       Whereas, from the foundation of the United States, Irish 
     people and the millions of United States citizens of Irish 
     descent have helped to shape its history;
       Whereas, in the words of President John F. Kennedy, ``No 
     people ever believed more deeply in the cause of Irish 
     freedom than the people of the United States'';
       Whereas 5 of the 7 signatories of the 1916 Proclamation of 
     Independence spent periods of time in the United States that 
     significantly influenced their thinking and actions;
       Whereas the United States is the only foreign country 
     specifically mentioned in the Proclamation;
       Whereas the contemporary ties between the United States and 
     Ireland are of extraordinary depth and breadth;
       Whereas continued United States engagement in the Northern 
     Ireland peace process is vital to safeguarding the gains made 
     since the Good Friday Agreement;
       Whereas the 100th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising 
     offers an opportunity for remembrance, reconciliation, and 
     reimagining of the future;
       Whereas, on the 17th and 18th of May 2016, the Taoiseach 
     (Prime Minister of Ireland) will visit Washington, DC, for 
     events commemorating the 100th anniversary of the 1916 Easter 
     Rising; and
       Whereas more than 200 other commemorative events will take 
     place across the United States to mark the anniversary: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recalls the special ties between Ireland and the United 
     States, continually sustained and strengthened throughout the 
     intertwined history of both countries;
       (2) welcomes the program of commemorations in the United 
     States marking the 100th anniversary of Ireland's 1916 
     Rising, including the events taking place in Washington DC; 
     and
       (3) recognizes the importance of nurturing and renewing the 
     unique relationship between the United States and Ireland and 
     their peoples into the future.

               Amendment Offered by Mr. King of New York

  Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I have an amendment to the text at 
the desk.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will report the amendment.
  The Clerk read as follows:

       Strike all after the resolving clause and insert the 
     following:
       That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recalls the deep and abiding friendship between Ireland 
     and the United States, sustained and strengthened by the ties 
     between our peoples and our shared values;
       (2) calls for the enhanced cooperation between the United 
     States and Ireland in undertaking multi-lateral humanitarian 
     missions and international peacekeeping operations; and
       (3) supports efforts to continue to increase political, 
     economic, scientific, educational, and cultural ties between 
     the United States and Ireland, including ongoing work to 
     consolidate peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. KING of New York (during the reading). Mr. Speaker, I ask 
unanimous consent that the reading be dispensed with.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  The amendment was agreed to.
  The resolution, as amended, was agreed to.


       Amendment to the Preamble Offered by Mr. King of New York

  Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I have an amendment to the 
preamble at the desk.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will report the amendment.
  The Clerk read as follows:

       Strike the preamble and insert the following:
       Whereas the more than 35 million Americans of Irish descent 
     strengthen the friendly relations between the United States 
     and Ireland;
       Whereas throughout our history Americans of Irish descent 
     have made significant contributions to the United States and 
     have helped to shape its history;
       Whereas in April 1916, through the Easter Rising, an 
     attempt was launched to secure Irish independence;
       Whereas signatories to the 1916 Proclamation of the Irish 
     Republic were influenced by the experience of the United 
     States and therefore included the United States as the only 
     foreign country specifically mentioned in the Proclamation;
       Whereas the United States recognized and established 
     diplomatic relations with the Irish Free State in 1923;
       Whereas Ireland is a valued partner in international fora, 
     including the United Nations, the NATO Partnership for Peace 
     Program, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in 
     Europe, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and 
     Development, and the World Trade Organization;
       Whereas the United States and Ireland continue to share 
     deep and abiding ties across a host of areas, including 
     economic, scientific, and educational cooperative efforts, 
     and international development cooperation;
       Whereas the United States and Ireland enjoy a thriving and 
     mutually beneficial trade and investment relationship, with 
     the United States being the largest exporter to Ireland of 
     services, and the second largest exporter of goods;
       Whereas the United States and Ireland enjoy broad 
     scientific cooperative programs, to the benefit of the United 
     States, Ireland, and Northern Ireland, facilitated by the 
     United States-Ireland Research and Development Partnership, 
     which prioritizes joint research in the areas of nanoscale 
     science and engineering, sensor networks, telecommunications, 
     energy and sustainability, and health;
       Whereas the United States and Ireland support thriving 
     bilateral educational exchange programs, which Ireland has 
     promoted in recent years with the establishment of Student 
     Ambassador programs, increasing scholarships, and being a 
     contributor and Lead Signature Partner in the U.S. Generation 
     Study Abroad Program;
       Whereas the Governments of Ireland and the United Kingdom 
     have worked closely, with the ongoing support of the United 
     States, in promoting peace and reconciliation in Northern 
     Ireland; and
       Whereas the 100th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising 
     offers an opportunity for recommitment to strengthening the 
     relationship between the United States and Ireland for the 
     benefit of future generations in both countries: Now, 
     therefore, be it

  Mr. KING of New York (during the reading). Mr. Speaker, I ask 
unanimous consent that the reading be dispensed with.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  The amendment to the preamble was agreed to.
  The title of the resolution was amended so as to read: ``Recognizing 
the deep and abiding friendship between the United States and Ireland 
and recommending actions to further strengthen those ties.''.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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