2014 -- S 3124

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO STRONGLY

SUPPORT A PEACEFUL UNIFICATION OF IRELAND

     Introduced By: Senator Michael J.McCaffrey

     Date Introduced: June 18, 2014

     Referred To: Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar

     WHEREAS, Ireland and the Irish people are an ancient nation that have contributed

much to western culture, particularly within the spheres of literature, art, music, dance, theater,

theology and philosophy; and

     WHEREAS, Ireland is an island nation that eventually evolved into 32 counties.

Tragically, in 1922 it was divided against the wishes of a majority of the Irish people who desired

a united nation, into the Irish Republic, consisting of 26 counties, and Northern Ireland,

composed of the remaining six counties, and

     WHEREAS, A peacefully united and independent Ireland would be the most effective

way to grow the economy and would lead to a wealthier nation, with more influence in regional

and world affairs. It would also be the best way to ensure that all citizens of Ireland have a just

and equal chance at happiness and prosperity; and

     WHEREAS, A united and independent Ireland, with a unified and independent police

force and justice system, is more likely to dispense justice in an impartial and fair way, and it

would be far more likely to have the trust and respect of its citizenry, including citizens from all

socio-economic spheres of life; and

     WHEREAS, The Good Friday Agreement of 1998, negotiated with strong American

support, ratified by the British and Irish governments and approved by a vote with the

overwhelming support of the entire island of Ireland, provides a framework by which a united

Ireland might be achieved through peaceful and democratic means. It also provided for the

development and strengthening of North/South institutions and for there to be cross border

cooperation amongst the two entities; and

     WHEREAS, The United States and the State of Rhode Island have benefited enormously

from the rich contributions Irish immigrants have made to our nation and state; now, therefore be

it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby respectfully requests that the United States Congress strongly supports a peaceful

unification of Ireland using all possible diplomatic means; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation, the

President and Vice President of the United States, the United States Secretary of State, and the

Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland, Enda Kenny.

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