Student Senate Resolution Against the War
Sen. Res. 0203-16

"The soldier, above all other people, prays for peace, for he must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war." -Douglas MacArthur

A RESOLUTION URGING THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO EXERCISE AND EXHAUST ALL PEACEFUL, DIPLOMATIC MEANS BEFORE THE USE OF FORCE REGARDING IRAQ

Whereas: This resolution was initiated by students and student groups, who endorse peaceful solutions to those of force against Iraq, and

Whereas: many students believe a possible war on Iraq will have a direct effect on the lives of Ohio University students, and

Whereas: students care about the lives of all people-from the United States soldiers to Iraqi children, and

Whereas: precedent has been set on this issue by other college student governments across the country, including the Ithaca College Student Government, the Associated Students of the University of California, and the University of Texas Student Government, and

Whereas: a $200-billion-plus war is exceedingly costly considering the critical domestic issues, such as education, social security and health care are extremely underfunded, and

Whereas: diplomatic solutions have not been exhausted, and

Whereas: the international community supports peaceful resolutions, and

Whereas: Article 51 of the United Nations Charter states, "Preemptive defense is not a justification for war under international law unless there is conclusive evidence that an attack by that country is so eminent that it cannot be avoided in any other way," and

Whereas: the former CIA head of counter-intelligence Vincent Cannistraro has stated publicly that the White House deliberately exaggerated the Iraqi threat, and

Whereas: Former United Nations Chief Weapons Inspector Scott Ritter, Ohio U.S. Representative Ted Strickland and many other experts have disputed the contention that Iraq poses an imminent threat to the United States, and

Whereas: Iraq has agreed to reinstate a weapon inspection program and such an investigation will determine whether Iraq poses an imminent danger to international security, and

Whereas: A war with Iraq would further destabilize the Middle East, possibly leading to an escalated regional conflict, therefore be it

Resolved: that the Ohio University Student Senate urges the United States government to work under the United Nations structure to work toward just, fair and peaceful diplomatic solutions with regards to Iraq, and further be it

Resolved: that copies of this resolution in the Ohio Council of Student Government and other state institutions of higher learning.

Sponsors: Mr. John Daft, Senator for City and County Affairs

Ms. Heather Lanfranchi, Senator for LBGT Student Affairs

Mr. Garry Gross, Senator for Black Student Affairs

Ms. Anna Jagelewski, Senator for Women's Affairs

Ms. Marisa Long, Senator At-Large

Ms. Colin Caywood, Senator for State and Federal Affairs