Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. Lynn & Sen. Walsh

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

152nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 25

COMMEMORATING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GOOD FRIDAY AGREEMENT AND CELEBRATION OF ST. PATRICK'S DAY.

WHEREAS, the Good Friday Agreement was signed April 10, 1998, ending the violent conflict in Ulster known as the Troubles; and

WHEREAS, the Good Friday Agreement represented a landmark breakthrough that provided Ireland with a political framework to address its future; and

WHEREAS, the Good Friday Agreement acknowledged the right of differing political traditions to pursue their goals of remaining part of the United Kingdom or of Irish Unity; and

WHEREAS, the Good Friday Agreement demonstrated democratic and peaceful means of resolving differences. We recognize the British and Irish Governments’ ongoing support and implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. It is the irrevocable foundation of the peace process, regardless of the United Kingdom’s status regarding the European Union; and

WHEREAS, the peace talks were chaired by former US Senator George J Mitchell; and

WHEREAS, members of both political parties in the United States came together to support the Good Friday Agreement; and

WHEREAS, there are people alive on the island of Ireland today because of the continuous bipartisan support for the Good Friday Agreement over the last 25 years of State Legislators, successive United States Presidents, the United States Senate, United States House of Representatives, and elected officials working in partnership with the Government of the United Kingdom and the Government of Ireland; and

WHEREAS, despite the historic progress of the Good Friday Agreement and subsequent agreements, important issues remain unresolved in Northern Ireland, including securing justice for victims of state-sponsored violence and other violence and providing for the rights of all sections of the community; and

WHEREAS, on the 17th of March during the annual celebration of the feast of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, Irish Americans invite men, women, and children of all ethnic origins, to become honorary Irish for the day to celebrate Saint Patrick; and

WHEREAS, this year we also celebrate and give thanks for the 25th Anniversary of The Good Friday Agreement; and

WHEREAS, 2023 also marks the 175th anniversary of the first flying of the Irish flag by Thomas F Meagher who embodied the special connection between Ireland and The United States of America. Starting life in Ireland and dying at age 43 as acting governor of Montana.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the 152 ^nd General Assembly, the Senate concurring therein, commemorates the 25 ^th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, the celebration of the Feast of St. Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland, and the special relationship between Ireland and the United States.