Joe Crowley: “Mr. Speaker, I introduced H. Con. Res. 54 with the intent to honor and celebrate as a Congress the one-year anniversary…”

“Mr. Speaker, I introduced H. Con. Res. 54 with the intent to honor and celebrate as a Congress the one-year anniversary of the Good Friday Peace Accord and the involvement of the United States Senate majority leader, George Mitchell; our President, Bill Clinton; Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern; and British Prime Minister Tony Blair for their work in securing this important and historic agreement. In particular, recognition has to be given to Senator George Mitchell. This peace agreement would not have been possible without his involvement, and also without the support of our President, Bill Clinton. On May 22, 1998, an overwhelming majority of voters in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland approved the referendum to support the Good Friday peace agreement and establish a Northern Ireland Assembly. Unfortunately, though, the peace process has been dealt some recent setbacks. The demand by unionist forces that Sinn Fein unilaterally decommission one year ahead of schedule before taking seats in the Northern Ireland Assembly has stalled the peace process.”