Pittsburgh City Council Proclamation

Whereas, The Greater Pittsburgh Irish Northern Aid Committee has consistently sought to advance the peace process and to seek justice for the people in northern Ireland through the passage of various resolutions and legislation, including the MacBride Principals; and

Whereas, a group of concerned persons from the northern Ireland, after reflecting on what changes and what guarantees of rights are needed for Nationalists and Unionists to work together to build a future as equals, has designed The Charter for Change, which corresponds to the basic ideas of equality, liberty, justice and democracy embodied in sacred documents such as the United States Constitution and Bill of Right, in domestic and international law and treaties, and in basic notions of fair play and equality; and

Whereas, the denial of equality and full rights for all people had been the root cause of the conflict in northern Ireland, and all people everywhere should, at a basic minimum, be guaranteed these rights, the people in the north of Ireland being no exception, and further that these rights must be secured and guaranteed through the peace talks, no matter what governance structures are ultimately negotiated by the parties and the governments by May, 1998; and

Whereas, Irish Americans persuaded President Clinton to provide leadership in the Irish peace process, resulting in the appointment of the Special Envoy from the United States to chair the talks.

Now therefore be it resolved, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh wholeheartedly endorses The Charter for Change as a democratic agenda that must be enacted to ensure that peace, justice and full reconciliation are achieved in Ireland. Passed in Council March 17, 1998