[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 2]
[House]
[Page 1744]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1015
                     NORTHERN IRELAND PEACE PROCESS

  (Mr. WALSH of New York asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WALSH of New York. Mr. Speaker, I come to the House floor this 
morning with my good friend and colleague, Richard Neal of 
Massachusetts, to draw attention to the Northern Ireland peace process.
  Many remember Northern Ireland's troubles with the endless bombings, 
bullets, bloodshed and continuous cycle of violence. The fight was for 
civil rights and national aspiration. The combatants made a conscious 
decision to end the killing and reach a compromise.
  Thanks to the efforts of the British, Irish and American governments 
and the political leaders of Northern Ireland, we have had peace for 
about 10 years. But they are still struggling to implement the Good 
Friday Agreement that provides for power sharing, proportional 
representation and self-governance.
  Over the years, in the face of significant criticism, Sinn Fein has 
delivered on every commitment outlined in the Good Friday Agreement.
  We now look to Ian Paisley and the Democratic Unionist Party to step 
up and deliver on behalf of the Unionist community. It is time for the 
DUP to validate their word given at St. Andrews by unequivocally 
committing to a devolved power sharing government with Sinn Fein. They 
must make good on their word and consummate their remarkable 
achievement. An historic moment is dawning on the island of Ireland. It 
is time to act.

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