Declaring July 1-4, 2005 as Days of Reflection on the Human Cost of War.

WHEREAS, The American Friends Service Committee

is bringing its nationally-acclaimed exhibit on the human cost of the Iraq War, “Eyes Wide Open,” to Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, Over 1700 U.S. military personnel and as many as 100,000 Iraqi civilians have lost their lives in the war and occupation; and

WHEREAS, Tens of thousands of U.S. soldiers and Iraqis have been wounded in body and spirit during the course of the war; and

WHEREAS,

We grieve these losses and recognize that families, communities and nations have been significantly affected by the consequences of war; and

WHEREAS, While billions of U.S. dollars are used to sustain the war, many of our citizens are struggling to pay for food, housing, education and health care; and

WHEREAS, The people of Iraq continue to lack the security needed to rebuild their country; and

WHEREAS, Our

conscience calls upon us to find nonviolent means of preventing and resolving conflicts now and for the future; and

WHEREAS, Public understanding

of the profound human cost of war may strengthen the commitment to seek such solutions and avoid future wars; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby declare July 1-4, 2005 as Days of Reflection on the Human Cost of War.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the American Friends Service Committee as an expression of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body for bringing the “Eyes Wide Open” exhibit to Philadelphia, and for their dedication to promoting peace, justice and non-violent conflict resolution.

End