Springfield, MA – Today, Congressman Richard E. Neal released the following statement regarding the 28th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement:
“Twenty-eight years ago, the governments of Ireland and the United Kingdom signed the Good Friday Agreement, marking the end of the longest period of conflict on the island of Ireland. It has long been hailed as a peace framework for global conflicts, and for good reason. The accord has endured for nearly three decades because everyone involved acted in good faith, and both sides gave up something in order to achieve peace. The Republic of Ireland relinquished its claims to Northern Ireland in Articles 2 and 3 of its Constitution, and the United Kingdom gave up the hard border between the north and the Republic.
“As the grandson of Irish immigrants, one set from the north and one from the south, I have been proud to play a part in advancing this work, particularly as Co-Chair of the Friends of Ireland Caucus. One of my first speeches on the floor of the House of Representatives condemned the use of rubber bullets in the North of Ireland. In 1994, Speaker Foley sent me to observe the IRA ceasefire that ultimately led to the Good Friday Agreement. I credit my heritage for instilling in me a deep commitment to peace, reconciliation, and the promise of self-determination. I know that same commitment resonates in households across western and central Massachusetts, with so many families who share that proud Irish lineage.
“As we mark this milestone, we also celebrate another: the 250th anniversary of America’s founding. With that, we are reminded of the role the Irish and Irish-Americans have played in our nation’s climb. Through moments both ordinary and extraordinary, they have helped write America’s story. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to help Ireland in its climb, particularly as they prepare for the national question of a united Ireland. As a guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, we must ensure that the next chapter is written not by division, but by the democratic voice of the Irish people.”
