WHEREAS, human warfare escalated into its nuclear age when atomic weapons were detonated during World War II, ushering in an era of fear and paranoia as America and the Soviet Union built up nuclear arsenals in an attempt to create deterrence; and
WHEREAS, August 6, 2008 is the 63rd anniversary of the United States dropping the atomic weapon, code-named ‘Little-Boy,’ on Hiroshima, Japan, killing as many as 140,000 people and exposing countless others to radiation; and
WHEREAS, the world's nuclear arsenals, which currently have the explosive power equivalent to 200,000 Hiroshima bombs, are capable of destroying all cities in the world the size of Pittsburgh or larger; and
WHEREAS, the potential for nuclear weapons use has become greater than ever before as a result of widespread stockpiles of poorly secured nuclear materials, the escalation of terrorism, and further proliferation of nuclear weapons – all of which have increased the risk of
accidental launch; and
WHEREAS, a diverse scope of Pittsburgh organizations and individuals are organizing events in August and September under the banner Remembering Hiroshima - Imagining Peace; and
WHEREAS, the goal of Remembering Hiroshima - Imagining Peace is to increase citizen awareness of the nuclear weapons dangers and promote citizen action in hopes of "a world free of nuclear weapons" and peace; and
WHEREAS, remembrance events are listed on the group’s website RememberingHiroshima.org and will include a ceremony in remembrance of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki this month as well as a series of art displays, films, workshops, lectures, and events for children focused on peace next month,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby commend and recognize the important work of Remembering Hiroshima - Imagining Peace and their advocacy for the need of a reduction of stockpiles and safer handling procedures worldwide.
Passed in Council on Tuesday, August 5, 2008.
Attest: Linda Johnson-Wasler
CO-SPONSORED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS
REV. RICKY V. BURGESS, DAN DEASY, PATRICK DOWD, DARLENE HARRIS, BRUCE A. KRAUS, JIM MOTZNIK, TONYA PAYNE AND BILL PEDUTO