NON-BINDING RESOLUTION CALLING FOR THE RETURN OF MILITARY FORCES FROM IRAQ AND SUPPORT FOR DOMESTIC NEEDS.

WHEREAS, The City of Kalamazoo supports the members of the US Armed Forces for their bravery, dedication, courage and sacrifice to the people of the United States in fighting terrorism, defending our freedom, and serving our country; and
WHEREAS, The residents of the City of Kalamazoo know that open political debate and freedom of expression are due to the sacrifice of the men and women in the U.S. Armed Forces both now and in the past; and
WHEREAS, No matter where our Armed Forces serve, they should be properly supplied and equipped with all available and appropriate protective gear and armaments, and that their care during and upon completion of military service be fully adequate and appropriate; and
WHEREAS, It is a matter of great public debate as to whether or not US Armed Forces should have been used to invade Iraq, and that the City Commission does not make these kinds of decisions on behalf of the public it serves; and
WHEREAS, Some citizens of Kalamazoo have asked the City Commission to make a statement about the need to now bring about a prudent and conclusive exit of the US military presence in Iraq, which would in turn be joined with other related statements by other local communities across the United States; and
WHEREAS, The City Commission has in the past taken actions and made statements about issues of local impact or concern that are inextricably tied to State and Federal levels of government such as hiring a lobbyist to work on the Cityıs behalf at the state level; addressing the local impact of mandates of the USA Patriot Act of 2001; going to war in Iraq in 2002; accepting Mexican government-issued ID cards for various city purposes; advocating for an increased level of state-mandated wages paid to nursing home workers; advocating for greater federal and state funds for public transportation; advocating for greater federal and state funds for environmental clean-up of polluted sites; advocating for greater state and federal funds for roads and highways; supporting equitable and adequate state revenue sharing; advocating for greater federal and state funds for homeland security; advocating for greater federal and state funds for homelessness solutions and community development; and
WHEREAS, The City Commission is concerned that the lives of local military personnel serving in Iraq are at risk of injury or death; that the injuries and loss of life thus far of civilians and military personnel in Iraq has an immeasurable negative impact on our community, state and country; that levels state and local disaster readiness could be at risk in the face of a major event requiring National Guard deployment; that there appears to be no evident articulated strategy or general timetable for an exit of US troops from Iraq; and
WHEREAS, The City Commission has many municipal needs to meet and is greatly challenged by this due to a variety of increasing costs such as inflation, health care, retirement; decreasing state and federal resources; and increasing the national debt to finance the war in Iraq which will strain current and future funds available for domestic needs.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Kalamazoo City Commission, recognizing that the stability of Iraq is crucial to the security of the citizens of Kalamazoo and to all Americans, urges the federal government to provide the people of Iraq with appropriate non-military material aid and support for an international peace-keeping force as shall be necessary for the security of Iraq's citizens and for the rebuilding of Iraq; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the City of Kalamazoo urges state and federal officials to do all they can to establish a prudent, feasible, and orderly strategy which facilitates the exit of US Armed Forces from Iraq; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the City of Kalamazoo renews its call for state and federal officials to reform their priorities so that greater resources are made available for municipal needs, particularly for struggling core urban communities; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution shall be sent to George W. Bush, President of the United States, the members of the Michigan Congressional delegation ­ including 6th Congressional District Representative Fred Upton and U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin, and Michigan 60th District Representive Alexander Lipsey and 20th District Senator Tom George, as well as Governor Jennifer Granholm.