Cities for Peace

January 16, 2003

City Council Resolution Opposing War in Iraq

Upon the Recommendation of Councilors Volkmann, Dwight, Bleiman, Ghiselin, Dostal, Marianne LaBarge, Raymond LaBarge, and Bardsley

WHEREAS our Congressional Representatives, Senator Edward Kennedy and Congressman Richard Neal, have courageously spoken out against a unilateral war on Iraq and would be encouraged by our continuing support; and

WHEREAS the financial cost of the war in Iraq alone, estimated at over $100 billion, would have a serious negative impact on availability of adequate funds at the federal, state and local levels for services that will provide real security for our community, such as affordable housing, health care and quality educational programs; and

WHEREAS the cost to the City of Northampton is conservatively estimated to exceed $10.5 million at a time when the city is already straining to maintain the existing infrastructure, provide adequate and necessary services for its residents, and reward city employees with fair labor contracts; and

WHEREAS we are now threatened by the possibility of even wider conflict, in Korea and perhaps elsewhere in the Middle East, which would result in even more sacrifice both abroad and at home; and

WHEREAS the United States government by its action sets an example for every man, woman and child, we have today an historic opportunity to resolve conflict by acting in accordance with the United Nations Charter and Resolutions,

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED

That the City Council of Northampton, Massachusetts, hereby expresses our opposition to any war that is not sanctioned by the United Nations, and hereby calls upon our Congressional Delegation to continue urging President Bush to exhaust all diplomatic avenues and work closely with UN Secretary General Mr. Kofi Annan to avert a full-scale war and instead seek a peaceful resolution to any conflict, and

Be it further resolved that an official copy of this resolution be presented to Congressman Neal, Senator Kennedy, and Senator Kerry as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

		We are building a coaltion of local officials and concerned citizens to express the will of our communities through civic resolutions regarding the war in Iraq


Return to Main Page	January 16, 2003 City Council Resolution Opposing War in Iraq Upon the Recommendation of Councilors Volkmann, Dwight, Bleiman, Ghiselin, Dostal, Marianne LaBarge, Raymond LaBarge, and Bardsley WHEREAS our Congressional Representatives, Senator Edward Kennedy and Congressman Richard Neal, have courageously spoken out against a unilateral war on Iraq and would be encouraged by our continuing support; and WHEREAS the financial cost of the war in Iraq alone, estimated at over $100 billion, would have a serious negative impact on availability of adequate funds at the federal, state and local levels for services that will provide real security for our community, such as affordable housing, health care and quality educational programs; and WHEREAS the cost to the City of Northampton is conservatively estimated to exceed $10.5 million at a time when the city is already straining to maintain the existing infrastructure, provide adequate and necessary services for its residents, and reward city employees with fair labor contracts; and WHEREAS we are now threatened by the possibility of even wider conflict, in Korea and perhaps elsewhere in the Middle East, which would result in even more sacrifice both abroad and at home; and WHEREAS the United States government by its action sets an example for every man, woman and child, we have today an historic opportunity to resolve conflict by acting in accordance with the United Nations Charter and Resolutions, NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED That the City Council of Northampton, Massachusetts, hereby expresses our opposition to any war that is not sanctioned by the United Nations, and hereby calls upon our Congressional Delegation to continue urging President Bush to exhaust all diplomatic avenues and work closely with UN Secretary General Mr. Kofi Annan to avert a full-scale war and instead seek a peaceful resolution to any conflict, and Be it further resolved that an official copy of this resolution be presented to Congressman Neal, Senator Kennedy, and Senator Kerry as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.