Corvallis, OR Bring the Troops Home

Corvallis, Oregon Troop Withdrawal

Type: Resolution

Status: Adopted 7-2

Date: February 22, 2006

Language: Resolution Calling for the Withdrawal of all US Troops from Iraq

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the citizens of the City of Corvallis, Oregon, and their local elected officials have the constitutional right to petition the national government on any matter of grave concern to our city, the nation, and the world community; and

WHEREAS, the Corvallis City Council and the citizens of Corvallis respect and honor the men and women serving in the United States Armed Forces in Iraq and recognize the sacrifices that each of them is making; and

WHEREAS, the men and women of our Armed Forces in Iraq are the sons and daughters of our community and we are concerned for their well being and safety; and

WHEREAS, the Corvallis City Council passed a resolution on January 21, 2003, opposing a unilateral preemptive military action against Iraq; and

WHEREAS, the war in Iraq approaching its third year has caused 1) the deaths of more than 2,300 American soldiers and 120,000 Iraqis b) the physical and psychological wounding and disabling of more than 16,000 American soldiers and of tens of thousands of Iraqis and c) the destruction of the homes, communities, and livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis; and

WHEREAS, important work in rebuilding Iraq's infrastructure, economy, and society cannot progress due to dangerous and unstable public security conditions; and

WHEREAS, more than 300 billion dollars has been appropriated by Congress to fund military operations and reconstruction in Iraq; and

WHEREAS, the cost of the Iraq war has diverted federal funds from programs and services in urban areas such as Corvallis, including education, housing, social services, infrastructure improvements, and homeland security; and

WHEREAS, Oregonians have joined the National Guard thinking they would be serving their neighbors by helping with Oregon-based emergencies unless there was a danger to the United States requiring transfer to active duty; and

WHEREAS, many members of the Armed Forces are entering their second and third deployment to Iraq; and

WHEREAS, the federalization and deployment of Oregon National Guard members to the war in Iraq threatens the safety and well being of the citizens of Corvallis because the Oregon National Guard is being diverted from its legally assigned duties to respond to local emergencies including fires, floods, and earthquakes; now,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CORVALLIS

1. HEREBY urges the United States government to commence planning an orderly, rapid, and comprehensive withdrawal of United States military personnel from Iraq; and

2. HEREBY calls upon the President and the Congress of the United States to support our troops by ensuring that returning veterans receive compensation and care, including full mental and physical health, education, disability, and rehabilitation benefits; and

3. HEREBY urges the United States government to provide the people of Iraq with appropriate non military aid as shall be necessary for the security of Iraq s citizens and for the rebuilding of Iraq; and

4. HEREBY urges the United States government to establish a plan for the ongoing transition of responsibility for internal security activities to the military forces of the Iraqi Government and

5. HEREBY urges the United States government to pursue security and stability in Iraq through diplomacy; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be forwarded immediately to United States President George W. Bush, Representative Darlene Hooley, Representative Peter DeFazio, United States Senators Ron Wyden and Gordon Smith, Governor Ted Kulongoski, State Representative Sara Gelser, State Senator Frank Morse and the Benton County Board of Commissioners.