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HALLof FAME

for being a consistent advocate for civil and human rights, equality and peace, playing a crucial role in giv- ing moderate nationalists a political voice in a period of history where violence has been the norm, and for playing a stellar role in initiating the “A consistent peace process. & dogged advocate for civil & human rights, equality & Mark Durkan has been the MP for sistant. He subsequently became a priorities of the people rather than Foyle since 2005 prior to which he key figure in the party, organizing MP the practices of the past. peace” served as the Member of The Leg- election victories for Seamus Mal- He has been a consistent advocate islative Assembly for the same con- lon and Eddie McGrady in 1986 and for civil and human rights, equality stituency. He was the leader of the 1987. and peace, and has been a crucial Social Democratic and Labour Party, In 1990 Mark became Chairperson player in assisting moderate nation- which he joined in 1981, until 2010. of the SDLP, serving until 1995, and alists to find a political voice in a Mark was on his party’s negotiating was elected to City Council in period of history where violence has team during the period leading up 1993. He was a key member of the been the norm. He has a strong pedi- to the and SDLP team during the negotiations gree on many issues - including jus- then served as Deputy First Minister leading to the Good Friday Agree- tice issues, economic development, of Northern Ireland alongside David ment and was described by journal- healthcare and children’s rights. He Trimble between 2001 and 2002 dur- ists as its “chief draftsman”. has established a reputation as a ing one of the most crucial phases in After leading a resoundingly suc- leading advocate on international de- the Province’s political history. cessful ‘yes’ campaign for the SDLP, velopment issues and on civil liber- Mark first became involved in poli- Mark was elected to the Northern Ire- ties, and was described by Liberty as tics during his student days when land Assembly in 1998 for Foyle. He an ‘incredible and powerful ally’ for he was elected Deputy President of was appointed to the Northern Ireland human rights. Queen’s Students’ Union. The fol- Executive as Minister for Finance and Mark is currently the Chairperson lowing year, he moved to Dublin after Personnel. He implemented a raft of of the Assembly Enterprise Trade and being elected Deputy President of the radical initiatives including setting Investment Committee. Mark, a keen Union of Students in Ireland, USI. In up the Executive Programme Funds, Manchester United fan, lives in Derry 1984 he returned to Derry to work for a mechanism for ensuring that pub- and is married to Jackie. They have as his Westminster As- lic money was spent according to the one daughter, Dearbháil.

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