|
A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE GARY COMMON COUNCIL'S SUPPORT FOR THE U.S. TROOPS CURRENTLY SERVING IN IRAQ, AS WELL AS THOSE THAT HAVE PREVIOUSLY SERVED, AND THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN KILLED OR WOUNDED DURING SUCH SERVICE, AND THEIR FAMILIES; AND FURTHER EXPRESSING THE COUNCIL'S OPPOSITION TO PRESIDENT BUSH'S PROPOSED PLAN TO INCREASE THE UNITED STATES' MILITARY PRESENCE IN IRAQ BY 21,500 TROOPS
WHEREAS, more than 137,000 United States military personnel, including many from Gar, are bravely and honorably serving in Iraq and deserve the support of all Gary citizens and Americans; and
WHEREAS, the people of Gary will always honor the sacrifices of the American soldiers who have died or been wounded in combat in Iraq, including the more than 3,000 United States military personnel who have died in Iraq and the more than 22,500 who have been wounded; and
WHEREAS, on January 10, 2007 President George W. Bush announced his plan to increase the United States military involvement in Iraq, by deploying approximately 21,500 additional United States combat forces to Iraq; and
WHEREAS, the Common Council of the City of Gary hereby expresses its deep opposition to the President's plan to increase the number of American troops in Iraq, in part due to the impact on the available federal resources required to provide for the urgent needs of the most vulnerable portions of the American population, including the need to provide for the health, education, and homeland security of the City of Gary and of other major urban areas within the United States; and
WHEREAS, in excess of $250 billion has been appropriated by Congress to fund military operations and reconstruction in Iraq, while in contrast, the City's total amound of HUD grants has decreased significantly since 2002, the year before the commencement of the war in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, this decrease in federal grant money severely lessens the ability of the City of Gary to rebuild its urban core, promote home ownership opportunities in Gary, and provide critical housing services for the poor, the disabled, and for people with HIV-AIDS and other medical needs; and
WHEREAS, polls show that greater than 60% of Americans oppose sending additional American troops to Iraq, which indicates that the majority of Americans share this Council's concerns with increasing U.S. troop levels in Iraq at this time
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GARY:
SECTION 1. That Common Council supports the U.S. troops currently serving in Iraq, as well as those that have previously served, and those that have been killed or wounded during such service, and their families.
SECTION 2. That Common Council expresses its opposition to President Bush's proposed plan to increase the United States military presence in Iraq by 21,500 troops.
SECTION 3. That the City of Gary, its elected leaders and its citizens have a responsibility to highlight the implications of sending additional troops to Iraq, and the resulting impact on available federal resources, which are urgently needed by the most vulnerable portions of the American population in the City of Gary and other major urban areas within the United States.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the City of Gary shall forward copies to President George W. Bush, United States Senators Evan Bayh and Richard Lugar, House Representative Peter Visclosky and members of the Indiana U.S. Congressional delegation.
ADOPTED by the Common Council of the City of Gary, Indiana this 6th day of March, 2007.
JEROME PRINCE, President
Gary Common Council
[Resolution 2007-02 will now be forwarded to the Mayor for signature.]
SPONSORED BY: COUNCILMAN CHARLES HUGHES |
