Durbin, Bipartisan Colleagues Introduce Resolution Reaffirming Support for Good Friday Agreement
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Susan Collins (R-ME) to introduce a bipartisan resolution in support of the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, or the Belfast Agreement, and subsequent agreements and arrangements to support peace on the island of Ireland.
“There is bipartisan resolve in the U.S. Congress to see the full realization of the Good Friday Agreement for the people of Northern Ireland,” Durbin said. “Illinois is a proud home to countless Irish families, whose ancestors immigrated here in search of a better life. Ahead of Saint Patrick’s Day, let us renew calls for stability in Ireland and build on the progress made by the governments in the region.”
Introduced in advance of Saint Patrick’s Day, the bipartisan resolution calls for the protection of the peace forged under the Good Friday Agreement, urges continued attention and action to resolve injustices of past violence, reaffirms support for the right of all people on the island to self-determination, and encourages renewed efforts to preserve the rich language, literature, and arts of Northern Ireland. The resolution also underscores the great value the United States places on its relationship with both the United Kingdom and Ireland in addition to the U.S.’ steadfast support for the peaceful resolution of any and all political challenges in Northern Ireland.
Joining Durbin, Menendez, and Collins in introducing the resolution were Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Ed Markey (D-MA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Bob Casey (D-PA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ben Cardin (D-MD), and Jack Reed (D-RI).
A copy of today’s resolution is available here.
In 1999, Durbin led a Senate-passed resolution marking the first anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.
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