Bill Text: NJ AR301 | 2016-2017 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Disapproves of intention of U.S. Secretary of State to eliminate position of U.S. Special Envoy for Northern Ireland.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-12-07 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly State and Local Government Committee [AR301 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2016-AR301-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman DANIEL R. BENSON
District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)
SYNOPSIS
Disapproves of intention of U.S. Secretary of State to eliminate position of U.S. Special Envoy for Northern Ireland.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution disapproving of the intention of United States Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to eliminate the position of Special Envoy of the President and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
Whereas, During the last three decades of the 20th century, political violence and turmoil in Northern Ireland resulted in thousands of deaths and prolonged civil unrest; and
Whereas, To capitalize on the warm alliance between the United States and Great Britain, then President of the United States Bill Clinton appointed former United States Senator George Mitchell as the United States Special Envoy for Northern Ireland in 1995; and
Whereas, The ensuing negotiations headed by Senator Mitchell ultimately led to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, effectively ending the tumult that had plagued the region for the preceding thirty years; and
Whereas, In August of 2017, United States Secretary of State Rex Tillerson wrote a letter to Senator Bob Corker, the Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, proposing to retire several special envoy positions, including the "Personal Representative for Northern Ireland Issues"; and
Whereas, The special envoy position for Northern Ireland has had bipartisan support, at one time resulting in House Concurrent Resolution 49 of the 103rd Congress (1993-1994), which acknowledged "America's unending commitment to fairness and decency" and recognized that "as an ally and a friend, the United States has a unique opportunity" and "a special responsibility" to encourage adherence to diplomatic resolution of such issues; and
Whereas, Individual members of Congress have publicly supported retaining the special envoy to Northern Ireland, including Senator John McCain who, in a 2008 campaign statement, claimed that a position to the contrary would demonstrate a willingness to "put the progress in Northern Ireland at risk"; and
Whereas, In September of 2017, Congressman Richard Neal indicated that he had received assurance from the Trump administration that President Trump will preserve the special envoy, and cautioned that abolishing the position "would send a message around the world that the United States is no longer engaged in the region," and that "America must continue to play a meaningful role in the peace process"; and
Whereas, Maintaining peace in Northern Ireland is of critical importance, particularly during this time of uncertainty with regard to the prospective withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union and the collapse of the Northern Ireland Assembly in January of 2017; and
Whereas, Therefore, this House disapproves of the intention of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to eliminate the position of United States Special Envoy for Northern Ireland and encourages President Trump to bolster peace in the region and abide by his commitment to retain the position; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House disapproves of the intention of United States Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to eliminate the Special Envoy of the President and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and encourages President Donald J. Trump to abide by his commitment to retain the position.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the President of the United States, the United States Secretary of State, and every member of Congress elected from this State.
STATEMENT
This General Assembly resolution disapproves of the intention of United States Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to eliminate the position of Special Envoy of the President and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
During the last three decades of the 20th century, political violence and turmoil in Northern Ireland resulted in thousands of deaths and prolonged civil unrest. The appointment of former United States Senator George Mitchell as the United States Special Envoy for Northern Ireland in 1995 prompted negotiations among the parties involved that ultimately led to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, effectively ending the tumult that had plagued the region for thirty years.
In response to an August 2017 letter written by Secretary Tillerson to Senator Bob Corker proposing elimination of the special envoy, Congressman Richard Neal indicated that he had received assurance from the Trump administration that the President will preserve the position.
Maintaining peace in Northern Ireland is of critical importance, particularly during this time of uncertainty regarding the prospective withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union and the collapse of the Northern Ireland Assembly in January of 2017. Therefore, this House disapproves of the intention of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to eliminate the position of United States Special Envoy for Northern Ireland and encourages President Trump to bolster peace in the region and abide by his commitment to retain the position.
