The New York State Senate

J2381

Senate Resolution No. 2381

BY: Senator GALLIVAN

COMMENDING the Irish Americans from the State of
New York for their perseverance and influence in
helping to bring peace, justice and freedom to all
citizens in the North of Ireland

WHEREAS, The Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Ladies Ancient
Order of Hibernians, the oldest and largest Irish American
organizations, are dedicated to perpetuating the history and traditions
of the Irish people and to promoting peace and Freedom for all Ireland;
and

WHEREAS, Through decades of conflict known as the Troubles, Irish
Americans, including the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Ladies
Ancient Order of Hibernians, desired and called upon the United States
government to help negotiate peace with justice; and

WHEREAS, A member of the New York State Assembly, Assemblyman John
Dearie, with the support of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the
Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, and other Irish American
organizations, formulated an Irish American political agenda which
included the appointment of an American Special Envoy, visas for Sinn
Fein, the MacBride Principles against religious discrimination in
employment, and human rights; and

WHEREAS, Thirty years ago, in April of 1992, at a critical point
during the New York State Presidential primary campaign, candidate Bill
Clinton, at a Presidential candidates forum, organized by Assemblyman
Dearie, and attended by many members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians
and the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, pledged if elected to
appoint a United States Special Envoy, end visa censorship against Sinn
Fein and support civil rights in the North of Ireland; and

WHEREAS, These pledges led to the appointment of United States
Senator George Mitchell as a Special Envoy, and were instrumental in
achieving the Good Friday Agreement and bringing about peace on
principles that have been reaffirmed most recently on St. Patrick's Day
in House Resolution 888; and

WHEREAS, Irish Americans, including members of the Ancient Order of
Hibernians and the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians remember that
Irish Americans in New York State played a crucial role in gaining these
breakthrough American pledges that opened the door to the Good Friday
Agreement; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
join the members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Ladies
Ancient Order of Hibernians in recognizing the accomplishments of the
Irish Americans from the State of New York and lauding their
perseverance in their efforts to bring peace, justice and freedom to all
citizens in the North of Ireland; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Ladies Ancient
Order of Hibernians.