Calling for the full implementation of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement and expressing hope for the continued success of the Northern Ireland peace process on the 25th anniversary of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement.

IV 118TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. RES. 33 Calling for the full implementation of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement and expressing hope for the continued success of the Northern Ireland peace process on the 25th anniversary of the Belfast/Good Friday Agree- ment. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES JANUARY 12, 2023 Mr. KEATING (for himself, Mr. FITZPATRICK, Mr. BOYLE of Pennsylvania, Mr. KELLY of Pennsylvania, Mr. WILSON of South Carolina, and Mr. KILMER) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs RESOLUTION Calling for the full implementation of the Belfast/Good Fri- day Agreement and expressing hope for the continued success of the Northern Ireland peace process on the 25th anniversary of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement. Whereas, on April 10, 1998, cross-community representatives in Northern Ireland as well as representatives from the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom signed the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement (herein referred to as ‘‘the Agreement’’) ending the period of violence known as the ‘‘Troubles’’ and establishing a framework for peace in Northern Ireland; VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:56 Jan 12, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR33.IH HR33 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB 2 •HRES 33 IH Whereas the talks surrounding the Agreement were chaired by the Honorable George J. Mitchell and supported by the United States Government and Congress; Whereas all communities in Northern Ireland were rep- resented at the talks that led to the Agreement and the United States has played a vital role as a good-faith actor in talks surrounding implementation of the Agree- ment; Whereas the Agreement was a negotiated settlement between the communities in Northern Ireland as well as the Gov- ernments of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ire- land; Whereas the Agreement provided for the foundation of the establishment of power-sharing devolved institutions to reflect the will of the people of Northern Ireland regard- less of community, tradition, or background and con- sistent with democratic principles; Whereas the Agreement affirms, protects, and safeguards the inherent human and civil rights of the people of Northern Ireland in abidance with the European Convention on Human Rights and establishes new institutions in North- ern Ireland, including an Equality Commission and Human Rights Commission, to ensure equal protection under the law for the people of Northern Ireland; Whereas the ‘‘3 Strand’’ approach which laid the framework for the directly elected Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive as well as North-South and East-West institu- tions, continues to bring together stakeholders to consult, cooperate, and act on matters of mutual interest; VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:56 Jan 12, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR33.IH HR33 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB 3 •HRES 33 IH Whereas the Agreement acknowledges the suffering of victims of violence committed during the ‘‘Troubles’’, including the impact on young people; Whereas the Agreement contains measures for economic and social progress, addresses cultural issues, and sets out a way forward on decommissioning of paramilitary weap- ons, the normalization of security, and policing and jus- tice issues that are essential for a sustained peace in Northern Ireland and on the island of Ireland; and Whereas the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Agree- ment represents an important moment of reflection on the progress made in ensuring peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and should stand as a catalyst for con- tinued efforts to implement the Agreement: Now, there- fore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 1 (1) reaffirms strong and unwavering support 2 for the Agreement on the 25th anniversary of its 3 signing; 4 (2) calls for the full implementation of the 5 Agreement in the spirit of peace and reconciliation 6 in Northern Ireland; 7 (3) commends the work of all peoples, commu- 8 nities, and traditions in Northern Ireland as well as 9 the Governments of the United Kingdom and the 10 Republic of Ireland for their work over the past 11 quarter century in furthering peace and reconcili- 12 VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:56 Jan 12, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HR33.IH HR33 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB 4 •HRES 33 IH ation in Northern Ireland in accordance with the 1 principles and values outlined in the Agreement; 2 (4) supports the work of the North-South and 3 East-West bodies established by the Agreement; 4 (5) supports all measures which seek to break 5 down remaining cultural, religious, and societal bar- 6 riers in Northern Ireland; 7 (6) expresses solidarity with the victims of vio- 8 lence during the ‘‘Troubles’’ as well as their families 9 and calls for continued measures to ensure account- 10 ability, justice, and reconciliation; 11 (7) supports further cross-community coopera- 12 tion including the establishment of more integrated 13 schooling and housing across Northern Ireland as 14 well as the establishment of civic forums to engage 15 with civil society in Northern Ireland; and 16 (8) supports the continued role of the United 17 States as a good-faith and positive actor in the 18 Northern Ireland peace process. 19 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:56 Jan 12, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR33.IH HR33 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB