RESOLUTION PASSED BY GARY CITY COUNCIL

RESOLUTION 2005-07
A RESOLUTION URGING THE CESSATION OR WAR AND COMBAT
OPERATIONS IN IRAQ AND THE RETURN OF AMERICAN TROOPS

WHEREAS, in 2002 the President of the United States urged the 107th Congress to pass a joint resolution, Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 (H.J. RES.114), authorizing the use of the United States Armed Forces against Iraq; and

WHEREAS, H.J. RES. 114 is premised upon a United Nations sponsored cease fire agreement after the United States’ liberation of Kuwait in 1991 pursuant to which Iraq, inter alia, agreed to eliminate its nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons programs, their delivery and development, and to cease its support for international terrorism; and

WHEREAS, the liberation of Kuwait was purportedly in order to defend the national security of the United States and enforce United Nations Security Council resolutions relating to Iraq and

WHEREAS, H.J. RES. 114 is premised upon the purported subsequent discovery that Iraq had “large stockpiles of chemical weapons and a large scale biological weapons program” capable of, and closer to producing a nuclear weapon than previously indicated by intelligence sources; and

WHEREAS, Public Law 105-235 passed by Congress in 1998 reflected the congressional conclusion that Iraq’s supposed weapons of mass destruction threatened United States interests and international peace and security and was in material and unacceptable breach of international obligations; and

WHEREAS, H.J.114 is also premised upon the purported congressional knowledge that members of al Qaida, an organization acknowledging responsibility for the September 11, 2001 attacks, and other terrorist organizations were harbored in Iraq; and

WHEREAS, H.J.114 relies upon the authority of the War Powers Resolution and a series of United Nations Security Council resolutions purportedly authorized by a series of other Security Council resolutions authorizing the President to use the Armed Forces of the United States as he determines to be necessary and appropriate in order to defend the national security of the United States against the “continuing threat posed by Iraq”, and to enforce “all relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions regarding Iraq”; and

WHEREAS, H.J.114 required the President, in the exercise of the authority granted, to demonstrate that reliance on peaceful or diplomatic means would no protect the United States from threats imposed by Iraq and that the use of the Armed Forces in Iraq is consistent with the United States and other countries continuing to take necessary action against international terrorism and the nations, organizations, or persons who planned the terrorist acts of September 11, 2001; and

WHEREAS, the president has failed to demonstrated that Iraq was or is in possession of nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction; and

WHEREAS, the President has failed to demonstrate that Iraq “planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001; and

WHEREAS, according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) prior to commencement of military action in Iraq, the estimated costs of the deployment of troops was $9 to $13 billion; conducting the war was $6 billion to $9 billion per month; returning forces was $5 billion to $7 billion; and temporary occupation of Iraq was $1 billion to $4 billion depending upon size; and

WHEREAS, as of February 2005 according to the National Priorities Project the estimated costs have exceeded $155 billion not including returning the Armed Forces and, if approved, may reach $210 billion, which total amount includes an estimated $3.2 billion cost for the State of Indiana; and

WHEREAS, the President has requested an additional $82 billion in supplemental funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, including the cost to cities and states ($61 billion of the total $82 billion is for the war in Iraq) even though military personnel report insuffiecient armor and other equipment; and

WHEREAS, in 2003 President Bush declared “Mission Accomplished”; and

WHEREAS, the death count for US. Soldiers as of January 2005 exceeds 1600, the number wounded, mangled and disabled is astounding and the bereavement of the citizens of this city and country multiplies daily; and

WHEREAS, the cost of war in Iraq is approximately $1,475 per household; and

WHEREAS, for the same cost of war in Iraq 2,699,420 additional public school teachers could be hired for one year; and

WHEREAS, for the same cost of war in Iraq 1,402,512 additional housing units could be built; and

WHEREAS, for the same cost of war in Iraq 7,551,113 four-year scholarships could be given to students in public universities; and

WHEREAS, since no timetable for the return of our troops has been provided and soldiers continue to die, become mangled or disabled, the war is not over; the President’s mission has not been accomplished as troops remain in Iraq the peril of terrorism persists and the security of our nation is more threatened; and

WHEREAS, it is critical that the citizens of Gary through its elected representatives voice their overwhelming patriotism and support for troops in Iraq; and

WHEREAS, it is even more critical that the citizens of Gary lobby their interests at home that they might return to a homeland that is secure in its humanitarian, liberty and democratic principals, notwithstanding any imperialistic powers that may now prevail; and

WHEREAS, resolutions and other forms of outcry have been enacted and registered throughout the country; and

WHEREAS, it is the duty of the Common Council to act on behalf and in the best interest of the citizens of Gary; and

WHEREAS, the Common Council is empowered to make such resolutions as may be necessary to protect the public interest and for the preservation of health, welfare, peace and order.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GARY AS FOLLOWS:

1. That the Common Council of the City of Gary on behalf of the citizens opposes the continued unnecessary casualties of misguided war;

2. That the Common Council of the City of Gary on behalf of the citizens opposes the continued deployment of troops in Iraq and urges the cessation of war and combat operations in Iraq and the return of American troops; and

3. That the Mayor of the City of Gary, other elected officials and all citizens are hereby urged to demand cessation of war and immediate troop withdrawal from Iraq.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution serve as notice that the Common Council of the City of Gary has been, is, and shall be vigilant as guardians of the public interest of the citizens of Gary in all matters to the extent legally feasible and possible.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the City of Gary shall forward a copy of this resolution to United States Senator Evan Bayh and Representative Peter Visclosky.