Senate Resolution 81

A RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE "GOOD FRIDAY AGREEMENT" (April 10, 1998-April 10, 2023) WHICH NEGOTIATED A DEVOLVED INDEPENDENT GOVERNMENT IN NORTHERN IRELAND AND TO EXPRESS THE SUPPORT OF THE MISSISSIPPI SENATE FOR THE CITIZENS OF NORTHERN IRELAND ON THIS AUSPICIOUS OCCASION.

WHEREAS, the Good Friday Agreement, also called Belfast Agreement, reached on April 10, 1998, and ratified in both Ireland and Northern Ireland by popular vote on May 22, 1998, called for devolved independent government in Northern Ireland. The Good Friday Agreement represented a landmark breakthrough that provided Ireland with a political framework to address its future; and

WHEREAS, the 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement has been reached, and while there are still outstanding issues, it has been a considerable success. There are people alive in Northern Ireland and on the island of Ireland today because of the continuous bipartisan support for the Good Friday Agreement over the last 25 years by State Legislators, successive United States Presidents, the United States Senate, United States House of Representatives, and elected officials working in partnership with the Government of the United Kingdom and the Government of Ireland; and

WHEREAS, the Good Friday Agreement, on this year of the 25th Anniversary of its ratification, is the framework for lasting peace in Northern Ireland. The Good Friday Agreement acknowledged the right of differing political traditions to pursue their goals of remaining part of the United Kingdom or of Irish Unity. The Good Friday Agreement demonstrated democratic and peaceful means of resolving differences; and

WHEREAS, we recognize the British and Irish Governments' ongoing support and implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. It is the irrevocable foundation of the peace process regardless of the United Kingdom's status regarding the European Union; and

WHEREAS, members of both political parties in the United States came together to support the Good Friday Agreement; and

WHEREAS, on the 17th of March during the annual celebration of the Feast of Saint Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland, Irish Americans join with men, women and children of all ethnic origins and for one day become "Irish" and celebrate Saint Patrick, and this year we also celebrate and give thanks for the 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday Peace Agreement; and

WHEREAS, 2023 also marks the 175th Anniversary of the first flying of the Irish Flag by Thomas Meagher who embodied the links between Ireland and the United States of America. In one lifetime, Thomas Meagher ran for the City Council in Waterford, Ireland, led the rebellion for freedom from British rule in Ireland in 1848, was sentenced to death, which was commuted to life in prison in Australia, from where he escaped, and he became a Brigadier General in the 69th Regiment of the famous "Fighting Irish Brigade." Meagher was appointed Montana's territorial Secretary of State by President Andrew Johnson, and also served as acting territorial Governor; and

WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi has an important historical connection to the culture of Ireland and Northern Ireland. While some Irish settlers moved to what is today Mississippi when the British ruled West Florida, the first major Irish presence in the state came when the Spanish took the colony back after the American War of Independence. With Roman Catholicism the established religion, Irish priests came to serve in the Natchez District. For the next few decades, the predominant Irish presence in the state was Protestant. The advent of the Great Famine pushed more than 2,000,000 people out of Ireland between 1845 and 1855, and many came to Mississippi. In 1860 the state boasted almost 4,000 Irish citizens. Despite the harsh conditions, the Irish stayed in Antebellum Mississippi thanks to community institutions usually operated by Irish and Irish-American nuns. More prosperous Irish immigrants founded their own societies. The most active was the Hibernian Society in Natchez. Middle-class Irish also took an active interest in Irish and American politics, showing a particular penchant for political journalism; and

WHEREAS, with this historical context in mind, we take great pride in acknowledging the connection between the political and historical past of Ireland and the State of Mississippi, and our support for cultural exchange between our citizens:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the "Good Friday Agreement" (April 10, 1998-April 10, 2023), which negotiated a devolved independent government in Northern Ireland and express the support of the Mississippi Senate for the citizens of Northern Ireland on this auspicious occasion.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be transmitted and presented to the appropriate Representatives of the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Senate of Ireland and the Chair of the American Irish State Legislators Caucus, forwarded to members of Mississippi's Congressional Delegation, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.