The House of Representatives today passed legislation authored by Congressman Chris Smith that would expand the United State’s commitment to the peace process in Northern Ireland by authorizing $50 million over two years for the International Fund for Ireland. 

    The fund, known as the IFI, supports economic development and helps to advance the peace process in Northern Ireland.  Smith’s bill, HR 1208 – The Northern Ireland Peace and Reconciliation Support Act, is now headed to the United States Senate just two weeks after it cleared the Committee on International Relations, on which Smith sits as Vice Chairman.  

    “U.S. support of the IFI over the past 20 years has helped create thousands of new jobs, regenerate communities, and by simply bringing people from different communities to the same job site.  The IFI has been a consistent and effective medium for fostering reconciliation and building a peaceful future,” Smith said.  

    “Now that the House has acted quickly to pass this important bill, I will do everything I can to work with my colleagues in the Senate so HR 1208 will soon become law.”  

    Recently, Smith traveled to Northern Ireland on a fact-finding human rights mission.  During his visit, he witnessed first hand some improvements that are attributed to the IFI.   

    “Much has changed since my last trip to the North in 1997.  There are many signs of hope and ensuring a substantial U.S. contribution to the IFI will help us attain our goal of securing a just and lasting peace,” he said.  

    In addition to authorizing $50 million for the fund, HR 1208 urges the IFI to expand its efforts to focus more on direct reconciliation efforts.   

    “HR 1208 will redouble efforts on direct reconciliation and look more closely at programs aimed at enhancing inter-community relations, citizen relations with the new police services, and programs that promote and protect human rights,” Smith said.