Over the last few months the world has witnessed events in Northern Ireland symbolizing both the hope for its future and the tragedy of its past. The politics of the gun has been replaced with the politics of the ballot box. The majority of men and women on all sides of this conflict have given overwhelming support for the Good Friday agreement and stood firmly together in condemnation of violence and terror. The Visa for Peace legislation is aimed at helping those who are working for that new beginning. a new Ireland. As chairman of the Friends of Ireland and a member of the Ad Hoc Committee for Irish Affairs. I have personally been involved with this effort to help bring peace to Ireland.