Title
Resolution to endorse the "Iraq Water Project-Ann Arbor"
Body
Whereas: Michigan Peaceworks and Veterans for Peace have initiated this project to supply Iraqi schools and hospitals with water treatment units;
Whereas: Only 1 in 3 Iraqis has access to clean water;
Whereas: Easily preventable waterborne diseases like diarrhea are on the increase in Iraq, accounting for 2 out of 3 deaths in Iraqi children under the age of 5;
Whereas: Iraqi citizens have been subjected to 17 years of war and harsh sanctions leading to a mortality rate for children under five of 41 per 1,000 live births;
Whereas: The aim of the project is to provide clean water for every citizen of Iraq;
Whereas: The national Iraq Water Project, spearheaded by the national chapter of Veterans for Peace, working through a reliable and trusted contact person in Jordan and Baghdad, has sent 18 water treatment units to Iraqi hospitals and schools already, most of which have reached their destinations and supplied clean water at 8 gallons per minute to Iraqi's in need;
Whereas: On July 17, 2000, Ann Arbor City Council passed "Resolution of the Ann Arbor City Council Urging Immediate Lifting of Economic Sanctions Against Iraq";
Whereas: On December 2, 2002 Ann Arbor City Council passed "Resolution Supporting our Locally Elected Congressional Representative's Opposition to a War With the Country of Iraq";
Whereas: An official endorsement from the City of Ann Arbor would draw much needed attention to this project in the community;
Whereas: Ann Arbor would be the first city in the United States to officially endorse the Iraq Water Project - Ann Arbor;
RESOLVED: The Ann Arbor City Council commends the work of Michigan Peaceworks and the Veterans for Peace and endorses the Iraq Water Project - Ann Arbor.
Sponsored by Mayor Hieftje and Council Member Derezinski