Bill Text: NJ AR317 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Supports the unification of Northern Ireland with the Republic of Ireland.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2010-03-15 - Filed with Secretary of State [AR317 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-AR317-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman JOSEPH CRYAN
District 20 (Union)
Assemblyman DAVID P. RIBLE
District 11 (Monmouth)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman Greenstein, Assemblyman DeAngelo and Assemblywoman McHose
SYNOPSIS
Supports the unification of Northern Ireland with the Republic of Ireland.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution supporting a united Ireland.
Whereas, Ireland is an ancient and distinct island-nation that was artificially partitioned by the United Kingdom with the Government of Ireland Act 1920; and
Whereas, The partition divided the nation into Northern Ireland, which is composed of six northern counties and is one of the four constituent countries of the United Kingdom, and Southern Ireland, which would eventually become the Republic of Ireland, and which consists of the remaining 26 counties; and
Whereas, Negotiated with American support, the Belfast Agreement, commonly known as the Good Friday Agreement, was ratified by the British and Irish governments on April 10, 1998; and
Whereas, The Good Friday Agreement represents a fundamental political advance that created a framework and a mechanism for further political development toward the final resolution of the Irish issue of reunification; and
Whereas, The time has come to end the partition of Ireland in favor of a united, sovereign nation that guarantees equal rights and equal opportunities for all its citizens; and
Whereas, In every area that affects the life and well-being of the Irish people, including the economy, education, health, governance and social interaction, a united Ireland offers the best opportunity for peace and prosperity for the Irish nation and its people; and
Whereas, Partition violates democracy, and an end to partition should be supported by all democratic-minded people and people of good will; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House supports the unification of Northern Ireland with the Republic of Ireland, supports placing the issue of Irish reunification on the American political agenda, and expresses its sense that Irish Americans can make a significant contribution toward achieving the goal of Irish reunification.
2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Clerk thereof, shall be transmitted to the President and Vice-President of the United States, the Majority and Minority Leader of the United States Senate, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, and every member of Congress elected from this State.
STATEMENT
This Assembly resolution supports the unification of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland into a united Ireland, and supports placing the issue of Irish reunification on the American political agenda. Ireland is an ancient and distinct island-nation that was artificially partitioned by the United Kingdom with the Government of Ireland Act 1920. Negotiated with American support, the Good Friday Agreement, ratified by the British and Irish governments on April 10, 1998, represents a fundamental political advance that created a framework and a mechanism for further political development toward the final resolution of the Irish issue of reunification. In every area of life that affects the well-being of the Irish people, including the economy, education, health, governance, and social interaction, a democratic reunification of Ireland offers the best opportunity for peace and prosperity for the Irish nation and its people. Partition violates democracy, and an end to partition should be supported by all democratic-minded people and people of good will.
