CLEVELAND CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION AGAINST WAR ON IRAQ

AN EMERGENCY RESOLUTION

Supporting the men and women serving in the armed forces and honoring their commitment to our nation's safety and security; opposing unilateral military action against Iraq and urging President Bush to continue seeking a peaceful resolution of issues with Iraq in a diplomatic manner.

WHEREAS, the United Nations is in the process of conducting weapons inspections in Iraq; and

WHEREAS, it has not been proven that the issues with Iraq cannot be resolved by traditional diplomatic efforts; and

WHEREAS, more time may be necessary to resolve issues in a diplomatic manner; and

WHEREAS, military action against Iraq would result in the loss of civilian lives, as well as the deaths of Iraqi and U.S. military personnel; and

WHEREAS, military action against Iraq will cost billions of dollars at a time when the American economy is struggling and at a time when the federal government is operating with a deficit; and

WHEREAS, the State of Ohio is facing deficit situations and budget constraints, and

WHEREAS, the City of Cleveland is also facing serious financial problems; and

WHEREAS, while making preparations for a costly war against Iraq, the Bush Administration is proposing a tax cut for the very wealthy and this tax cut will result in less dollars being provided for education, health care, aid to American cities, and desperately needed social services; and

WHEREAS, military action in Iraq will divert attention from economic issues and challenges confronting the American people and American cities; and

WHEREAS, resolutions opposing military action against Iraq have been adopted by numerous City Councils including, Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, Baltimore, San Francisco, Albuquerque, New Haven, Seattle, and Gary, Indiana; and

WHEREAS, the National Council of Churches and the National Conference of Catholic Bishops have also passed resolutions opposing military action against Iraq; and

WHEREAS, military action against Iraq is opposed by John Sweeney, National President of the AFL-CIO, and the Cleveland AFL-CIO Federation of Labor; and

WHEREAS, military action against Iraq is also opposed by many prominent clergy and other leaders in the Cleveland community, including Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, Congressman Dennis Kucinich, and Congressman Sherrod Brown; and

WHEREAS, this resolution constitutes an emergency measure for the immediate preservation of public peace, property, health, or safety, now, therefore

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLEVELAND

Section 1. That this Council supports the men and women serving in the armed forces and honors their commitment to our nation's safety and security.

Section 2. That this Council opposes unilateral military action against Iraq and urges President Bush to continue seeking a peaceful resolution of issues with Iraq in a diplomatic manner.

Section 3. That the Clerk of Council is hereby directed to transmit copies of this resolution to President Bush, U.S. Senator Michael DeWine, U.S. Senator George Voinovich, Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, Congressman Dennis Kucinich, Congressman Sherrod Brown, and Congressman Steven LaTourette.

Section 4. That this resolution is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and, provided it receives the affirmative vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to Council, it shall take effect and be in force immediately upon its adoption and approval by the Mayor; otherwise, it shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.

Passed by a vote of 18 to 0 at the Cleveland City Council meeting Jan. 27, 2003.