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WHEREAS, August 6 and 9, 2015 mark the 70th anniversaries of the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which killed more than 210,000 people by the end of 1945 and exposed countless others to radiation; and,
WHEREAS, the world's nuclear arsenals include 15,700 weapons which currently have the explosive power equivalent to 200,000 Hiroshima bombs and are capable of destroying all cities in the world the size of Pittsburgh or larger, posing an intolerable threat to people everywhere; 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, as well as escalating political tensions in the Ukraine and the Middle East, all of which have increased the risk of both intentional and accidental launch; and,
WHEREAS, in June of 2012 the U.S. Conference of Mayors unanimously passed a strong resolution calling for nuclear weapons abolition by 2020, and in subsequent years expressed support for the goal of the Vision 2020 Campaign led by the Mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki; and,
WHEREAS, the estimated cost of maintenance and modernization of nuclear bombs and warheads is projected to exceed 355 billion dollars over the next decade. This is in stark contrast to federal programs that benefit U.S. cities' infrastructure and their most needy residents, which are routinely subject to budget cuts; and,
WHEREAS, Remembering Hiroshima, Imagining Peace (RHIP), has brought together an impressive coalition of Pittsburgh organizations, institutions and individuals to work toward the elimination of nuclear weapons through education, activism, advocacy and art; and,
WHEREAS, the work of RHIP will include the screening of Hiroshima, Mon Amour by the Pittsburgh Filmmakers followed by a Skype conversation with peace activists in Japan on August 5; a poster exhibit in the City County Building during August; a 20 km Bike Around the Bomb on August 8 to raise awareness of an atomic blast area radius in Pittsburgh; and co-sponsor a program at the University of Pittsburgh Law School on the Marshall Islands lawsuits which seek compliance with Article VI of the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT);
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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 as steps toward a world free of nuclear weapons.