HomeMy Public PortalAboutRES-CC-2008-06Resolution 06-2008
A RESOLUTION OF THE GOVERNING BODY OF MOAB CITY IN FAVOR OF HOUSE
BILL 808 TO CREATE A UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF PEACE AND NON-
VIOLENCE.
WHEREAS, on February 5, 2007, House Bill 808 was introduced in the United States
House of Representatives to create a United States Department of Peace and
Nonviolence, which to date has garnered the sponsorship of sixty-eight (fib) members of
the United States House of Representatives; and
WHEREAS, the proposed legislation to create a United States Department of Peace
and Nonviolence will establish a cabinet -level department that will be headed by a
Secretary of Peace and Nonviolence, who will advise the President on issues both
domestic and international in scope, giving peace -building a place, voice and
budget at the highest levels of government; and
WHEREAS, the proposed federal legislation to create a United States
Department of Peace and Nonviolence will benefit the City of Moab by holding peace
as an organizing principle for American society, and by providing adequate
funding for peace -building initiatives which aim to change the tone of society from a
culture of disrespect and violence towards a culture of respect and nonviolence; and
WHEREAS, the proposed federal legislation to create a United States
Department of Peace and Nonviolence will benefit the City of Moab by
supporting existing programs and developing new programs to address and
reduce the number and frequency of incidents related to domestic violence, child
and spousal abuse, school violence, gang violence, gun violence, and hate crimes
which will assist members of our Police Department in experiencing fewer dangerous
encounters especially while making routine runs; and
WHEREAS, the proposed federal legislation to create a United States Department of
Peace and Nonviolence will benefit the City of Moab by developing and distributing to
the states and their schools a peace and nonviolence curriculum with supportive
materials for community -building, communication, nonviolent conflict resolution, and
mediation information, skills and resources; and
WHEREAS, the proposed federal legislation to create a United States Department of
Peace and Nonviolence will benefit the City of Moab by encouraging and supporting
development of conflict resolution and violence prevention initiatives from within the
community, including its religious and nongovernmental organizations, thus creating
greater community involvement and thereby a strong, stable, cohesive civil society
throughout the City of Moab; and
WHEREAS, such support will enhance and build upon the violence prevention initiatives
Resolution #06 2008 Page 1 of 2
and successes in Moab; and
WHEREAS, many national and international organizations, including, but not Limited
to, Amnesty International, Center for Nonviolent Communications, Institute for
Multi -Track Diplomacy, Physicians for Social Responsibility, September 11th Families
for Peaceful Tomorrows, Fellowship of Reconciliation, Pox Christi USA, School
Mediation Center, Veterans for Peace, and Youth for Environmental Sanity, have
endorsed the legislation to establish a Department of Peace and Nonviolence; and
WHEREAS, many local government agencies, including, but not limited to: Chicago,
Illinois; San Francisco, California; Atlanta, Georgia; Detroit, Michigan; Minneapolis,
Minnesota; Newark, New Jersey; and Cambridge, Massachusetts; have passed
similar resolutions in support of the enactment of the proposed legislation;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Moab City Council adopts this
resolution in favor of enactment of House Bill 808 to create a United States
Department of Peace and Nonviolence; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Moab urges U.S.
Congressman Jim Matheson to sign on as a co-sponsor of the proposed federal
legislation (HR 808) to create a United States Department of Peace and Nonviolence
and to use the powers of his office to actively support its passage among his
colleagues in Congress; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Moab urges U.S.
Senator Orrin Hatch and U.S. Senator Bob Bennett to introduce a companion Bill into
the United States Senate to create a United States Department of Peace and
Nonviolence and actively support its passage.
This resolution shall take effect immediately upon passage.
Passed and adopted by action of the Governing Body of the City of Moab in open
session this 11TH day of March, 2008.
CITY OF MOAB
BY:
David L. akrison
Mayor
Rachel Ellison
City Recorder
Resolution #06 2008
Page 2 of 2