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WHEREAS, on September 21, 2011 the world celebrates International Day of Peace, established by the United Nations General Assembly in September 1981; and
WHEREAS, Pittsburgh will observe International Day of Peace with "A Day Without Violence," holding a rally against violence at the City-County building at noon, a 24-hour peace vigil at St. Benedict the Moor Parish in the Hill District, an international flag ceremony and interfaith peace prayer service at Freedom Corner, and other celebrations of peace throughout the city; and
WHEREAS, the International Day of Peace is commemorated by millions of people each year in countries around the world, and is devoted to the aspiration of "peacebuilding" and understanding; and
WHEREAS, the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission has defined peacebuilding as a focus on the sustainable culture of peace, and aims to increase tolerance between individuals, communities, and societies, both on the personal and international levels; and
WHEREAS, the City of Pittsburgh, in the local theme of nonviolence, and the global theme of peace, will observe International Peace Day as a way to emphasize the City's ongoing commitment to peacebuilding within and among our neighborhoods, and towards a future of peaceful understanding and cooperation.
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby recognize the International Day of Peace as a continued effort to bring attention, awareness, and action to the conflicts at home and abroad that interfere with the goal of a culture of universal peace; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare September 21, 2011 "International Day of Peace" in the City of Pittsburgh.