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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, 2010 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 peaceful world free of nuclear weapons; and,
WHEREAS, remembrance events 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;
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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.