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Nicole Lang, 18 Apr
The 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton, took to the
Guildhall's stage to give his keynote address.
President Clinton spoke to the people of Derry, commemorating 25 years
from the signing of the Good Friday Agreement.
In a speech primarily dedicated to John Hume and David Trimble,
President Clinton thanked the family members for continuing their work.
David Trimble and John Hume were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
in 1998 and were two of the major forces behind the peace agreement.
He said: "We honour two people who put their lives and careers on the
line. I loved and admired them both. What they stood for is alive in
your lives."
President Clinton also paid tribute to the late Lyra McKee four years
on from the journalist's death.
He quotes Lyra and said: "We owe it to her to say goodbye to bombs and
bullets once and for all."
Addressing young people, Clinton said Hume and Trimble were thinking
about their futures when they signed the agreement, "They wanted you to
have your dreams and did not want you to inherit your parents'
nightmare.
“You were the hope not just in Northern Ireland but in places divided
all over the world today."
It was an evening of powerful words from President Clinton as well as
John Hume's granddaughter, Rachel, David Trimble's son, Nicholas, and
two Derry students who spoke of their hopes and dreams.
There was also beautiful music from Derry born Neil Hannon, from Divine
Comedy, young Derry singer Roe, and musician Tim Wheeler, from the band
ASH who played at the historic YES gig in 1998 and Ulster University
Choir.
The ceremony concluded with Derry legend Phil Coulter singing 'The Town
I Loved So Well,' a personal favourite of President Clinton.