Political Quotes

“I rise today to inform my colleagues of the fact that today is the 25th anniversary of the day that John Hume, the leader of Northern Ireland's Social Democratic and Labour Party, first took public office in Northern Ireland. Not enough members of this Chamber, I suspect, are familiar with John Hume or are aware of the crucial role he has played over the years in the peace process in Northern Ireland. But I am quite confident that if more people were to listen to his words and to follow his example when it comes to Northern Ireland, the prospects for peace there would be far brighter indeed. Mr. President, John Hume occupies a central and, in truth, a unique role in the political landscape of Ulster. He was an early leader of the movement to bring civil rights and equality to the long-oppressed Catholic community in Northern Ireland, and through his seats in the British Parliament and the European Parliament he has continued to play an instrumental role in speaking out for justice in the north.”