Santa Cruz, CA Calls to Withdraw Calif National Guard

Santa Cruz, Calif to Withdraw California National Guard

Type: Resolution

Status: Adopted unanimously

Date: July 26, 2005

Language: RESOLUTION NO. NS-26,979

RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CRUZ SUPPORTING THE CALIFORNIA NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS IN IRAQ AND REQUESTING FEDERAL EFFORTS TO SECURE THEIR WITHDRAWAL AND ALLOW GREATER STATE CONTROL OVER FUTURE DEPLOYMENTS

WHEREAS, the City of Santa Cruz and its citizens strongly support 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 City of Santa Cruz and its citizens stand ready to help these Californians in any way they can; and

WHEREAS, 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 imminent threat of attack by Iraq, possession of weapons of mass destruction by Saddam Hussein and the role of Saddam Hussein in the 9/11 attacks on the United States, all of which have subsequently been disproved; and

WHEREAS, in going to war, the President failed to meet the conditions imposed by Congress, including demonstration that diplomatic or peaceful means alone would not protect the national security of the United States, justification that the decision to engage in war was necessary and proof that Iraq authorized, committed or aided in the 9/11 attacks; and

WHEREAS, the United States Constitution provides that Congress shall have the power to “provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the laws of the Union, to suppress insurrections and repel invasion,” and the California State Assembly, the California State Senate and the Governor of California to direct the training and arming of the California National Guard for defense of the State; and

WHEREAS, the costs of the call-up of California National Guard members for deployment in Iraq has been significant, as reckoned in lost lives, combat injuries, psychic trauma, disruption of family life, financial hardship for individuals, families and businesses, interruption of careers and damage to the fabric of civic life in many California communities; and

WHEREAS, these are costs which would have been suffered willingly were there a threat to our nation, but which are not tolerable where there is none; and

WHEREAS, Californians have joined the National Guard to serve their neighbors by helping with California-based emergencies, unless there was a danger to America requiring transfer to active duty; and

WHEREAS, stop-loss orders violate the mutual understanding between Californians in the National Guard and the State and nation they agreed to serve; and

WHEREAS, there is reason to believe that the federalization and deployment of National Guard members may have rendered the remaining Guard force unable to carry out its State activities effectively,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Santa Cruz to request our Federal Representatives to urge Congress to restore the balance between the Federal government and the states, limiting Federal control over State National Guards; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Santa Cruz urge the Governor of California to request the Pentagon, the President and Congress to take steps to withdraw California National Guard troops from Iraq; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor is authorized to forward a copy of this Resolution to our Federal Representatives, the California Governor, the Speaker of the California Assembly and the President Pro Tempore of the California Senate.

PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 26th day of July, 2005, by the following vote:

AYES: Vice Mayor Mathews; Councilmembers Coonerty, Fitzmaurice, Porter, Madrigal, Reilly; Mayor Rotkin