Congressional Record, Volume 162 Issue 79 (Wednesday, May 18, 2016)

[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.

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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