Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 2D: Resolution Urging Cessation of Combat Operations in IraqECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Adoption of Resolution 4907 Urging the Cessation of Combat Operations in Iraq and the Return of United States Troops Meeting Date: March 12, 2007 Agenda Item Number: 2D Department: City Manager’s Office Staff Contact: Brenda Wilson www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-8441 ISSUE STATEMENT This resolution is being offered at the request of Councilor Bettman who presented the draft resolution to the Council Committee on Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) on February 22, 2007. It was approved by the IGR Committee and forwarded to the City Council for consideration. BACKGROUND From time to time, outside groups ask the City Council to take positions on various topics and matters of interest to the community. As a matter of routine, these types of proposals and requests first are routed to the IGR Committee; many times these proposals address the City and its role with other agencies, both private and governmental. RELATED CITY POLICIES There are no City policies related to the proposed resolution. COUNCIL OPTIONS The City Council may adopt the proposed resolution, amend proposed resolution or reject the resolution. CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION The City Manager is not making any recommendation regarding the proposed resolution. SUGGESTED MOTIONS Move to adopt Resolution 4907 urging the cessation of combat operations in Iraq and the return of United States troops. ATTACHMENTS A. Proposed Resolution L:\CMO\2007 Council Agendas\M070312\S0703122D.doc FOR MORE INFORMATION Staff Contact: Brenda Wilson Telephone: 682-8441 Staff E-Mail: Brenda.s.wilson@ci.eugene.or.us L:\CMO\2007 Council Agendas\M070312\S0703122D.doc ATTACHMENT A RESOLUTION NO. __________ URGING THE CESSATION OF COMBAT OPERATIONS IN IRAQ AND THE RETURN OF UNITED STATES TROOPS. The City Council of the City of Eugene finds that: A. T he City Council of the City of Eugene, on behalf of the people of Eugene, support the men and women deployed in Iraq, and honor the memory of those who have lost their lives or suffered injury in the war. B. U.S. involvement in Iraq has resulted in the deaths of more than 3,000 U.S. 79 troops, from Oregon, and the wounding and disabling of more than 23,400 U.S. military personnel to date. C. The cost of the call-up of Oregon National Guard members for deployment in Iraq has been significant, as reckoned in lost lives, combat injuries, psychic trauma, grieving, as well as the dramatic disruption within the families of the dead and wounded, financial hardship for individuals, families and businesses, interruption of careers and damage to the fabric of civic life in many Oregon communities D. In October 2002, the United States Congress adopted a Joint Resolution to authorize the use of United States Armed Forces in Iraq on the basis of an alleged imminent threat of attack by Iraq, using alleged weapons of mass destruction, and, in addition, on the basis that Saddam Hussein had played an active role in the 9/11 attacks on the United States, both of which bases have subsequently been shown to be unfounded. E. The war and occupation has caused an estimated 650,000 Iraqi deaths, including men, women and children, according to an October 11 study published in the British medical journal, The Lancet. F. Countless more Iraqis have been maimed, traumatized and wounded, or have suffered the destruction of homes, businesses, schools, sanitation and water treatment plants, hospitals, and, in general, much of their economic infrastructure. G. The Iraqi people have held their own elections and called for a timetable for the withdrawal of the U.S. armed forces from Iraq. H. More than $360 billion has been appropriated by Congress to fund the invasion and subsequent occupation of a country that posed no threat to the U.S., which funds were removed from education, health care, housing, nutrition and other social services in the United States, as well as humanitarian assistance abroad. Resolution - 1 I. The U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq highlights our dependence on imported oil for our energy needs and uses funds that could be better allocated to developing alternatives to fossil fuels. J. The more than $107.5 million spent by Eugene taxpayers to date on the war and occupation in Iraq could have provided one year's Head Start for nearly 14,000 Eugene children; or one year's medical insurance for more than 61,000 Eugene children; or one year's salary for more than 1775 public school teachers in Eugene; or more than 900 additional housing units in Eugene, or nearly 5000 four-year scholarships at public universities in Oregon, according to the National Priorities Project. K. The war and continued occupation have resulted in the devastation of Iraq's physical and social infrastructure and led to widespread and continuous resistance to a U.S. occupation that threatens the lives of Iraqi civilians, the men and women who compose the ranks of U.S. and other occupying forces L. M any labor unions throughout the country, including Oregon AFL-CIO and Local 85 of the Service Employees International Union Local 503, representing more than 1300 classified employees at the University of Oregon, have called for the rapid return of U.S. troops from Iraq. M. According to recent polls, two out of three Americans disapprove of the way President Bush has handled the war in Iraq. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EUGENE, a Municipal Corporation of the State of Oregon, as follows: Section 1. That the City Council of the City of Eugene, on behalf of the people of Eugene, urges Oregon's Congressional delegation to pass binding legislation compelling the United States government to immediately commence a rapid and orderly withdrawal of United States military personnel from Iraq. Section 2. That the Council of the City of Eugene, on behalf of the people of Eugene, urges the Congress of the United States to vote against further funding of the Iraq occupation by U.S. forces, except for funds necessary to carry out a safe, rapid and orderly withdrawal that fully protects American troops from harm; to expedite necessary reconstruction in Iraq, to supply the Iraqi armed forces with the military weapons and equipment necessary to assume their responsibility to stabilize the country, and to train Iraqi forces within the parameters described below. Section 3. That, during the first six months of U.S. withdrawal of troops from Iraq, U.S. troops may be used to assist in the training of permanent Iraqi military and civil defense forces, after which period this function will be carried out by U.N. or another international body acceptable to the Iraqi government. Resolution - 2 Section 4. That the City Council of the City of Eugene, on behalf of the people of Eugene, urges the United States government to pursue regional diplomatic efforts with the countries that border Iraq, including both Iran and Syria, with the goal of producing stability in Iraq. Section 5. That the financial resources used to prosecute the war be redirected, as they become available, to address the urgent needs of the most vulnerable portions of our population, including education, health care and full benefits for returning veterans, as well as to fund the development of non-carbon producing alternatives for our energy needs. Section 6. That a suitable copy of this resolution be sent to George W. Bush, President of the United States, the members of the Oregon Congressional delegation, the Oregon State legislature and Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski. Section 7. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption. The foregoing Resolution adopted the ____ day of March, 2007. ____________________________________ City Recorder Resolution - 3