LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION supporting the unification of Northern Ireland
with the Republic of Ireland

WHEREAS, Ireland is an ancient and distinct island-nation that was arti-
ficially 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 even-
tually become the Republic of Ireland, and which consists of the remain-
ing 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 reunifica-
tion; 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 oppor-
tunities 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, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
support the unification of Northern Ireland with the Republic of
Ireland, support placing the issue of Irish reunification on the Ameri-
can political agenda, and express its sense that Irish Americans can
make a significant contribution toward achieving the goal of Irish
reunification; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted 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, The New York State
President of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the National President of
the Ancient Order of Hibernians, The Ambassador for the Republic of
Ireland, and the Ambassador for the United Kingdom.