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WHEREAS, Ireland and its people are an ancient and distinct island nation; and,
WHEREAS, the people of Ireland have the right and responsibility to govern themselves; and,
WHEREAS, human and civic rights derive "their just powers from the consent of the governed" and are best guaranteed by the people's freely instituted, duly elected and independent government; and,
WHEREAS, the Good Friday Agreement, negotiated with American support, ratified by the governments of Ireland and England, and by the All-Island Referendum included provisions for achieving a United Ireland through democratic and peaceful methods; and
WHEREAS, the United States and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania have greatly benefited from contributions made by men and women who descended from the nation of Ireland; and
WHEREAS, the City of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is home to a significant percentage of Americans whose ancestors migrated to the United States from Ireland in times of famine and war to seek a better life but whose hearts still desire peace for their ancestral home.
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED City Council for the City of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania calls upon the separate governments of Ireland to undertake immediate steps to implement the Good Friday Agreement, to formally study the implications of a United Ireland, and to outline steps fundamental to restore a United Ireland;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body respectfully urges the separate governments of Ireland to mend their differences by granting "speaking rights" to the duly elected MP's of Northern Ireland in the Irish Dail and to expand the voting rights for the Irish President to the citizens of those six counties; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of this body be and is hereby authorized and directed to send certified copies of this resolution to the Taoiseach and President of Ireland, the English Prime Minister and Parliament, the President of the United States, the Unit...
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