File #: Res 0791-2003    Version: * Name: Calling for the safe return of journalists and U. S. soldiers from the war with Iraq.
Type: Resolution Status: Filed
Committee: Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup Relations
On agenda: 4/9/2003
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling for the safe return of journalists and U. S. soldiers from the war with Iraq.
Sponsors: Maria Baez, Leroy G. Comrie, Jr., Simcha Felder, Lewis A. Fidler, Allan W. Jennings, Jr., Melinda R. Katz, G. Oliver Koppell, John C. Liu, Margarita Lopez, Miguel Martinez, Michael C. Nelson, Kendall Stewart, Albert Vann, Bill De Blasio
Council Member Sponsors: 14
Res. No. 791 Title Resolution calling for the safe return of journalists and U. S. soldiers from the war with Iraq. Body By Council Members Baez, Comrie, Felder, Fidler, Jennings, Katz, Koppell, Liu, Lopez, Martinez, Nelson, Stewart, Vann and DeBlasio Whereas, Each day that the United States war effort in Iraq continues, the risk to our troops increases and the lives of thousands of young men and women are exposed to greater and greater dangers; and Whereas, From the beginning of the war, as United States Armed Forces have moved steadily on in their goal to free Baghdad from the regime of Saddam Hussein, these brave individuals have, on numerous occasions, encountered enemy fire, which at times has led to the capture of U. S. soldiers; and Whereas, The citizens of the United States have been kept informed of these developments in up-to-the-minute fashion by a corps of dedicated journalists who have been "embedded" in various military units; and Whereas, Continuing a long standing and honorable tradition of war reportage, these men and women are willing to risk their lives to keep the world apprised of events as they unfold, thereby clarifying and perhaps easing the fears, uncertainties and deep concerns that millions of Americans have for our troops; and Whereas, As recent events involving the imprisonment and release of two Newsday journalists have shown us, members of the press are far from safe in Iraq and are themselves possible targets for and victims of the Iraqi regime; and Whereas, Our country prides itself on many democratic principles which we hold dear, chief among which is freedom of speech, and in this respect, a free press is vital to the preservation of democracy; and Whereas, America owes our troops and these journalists a tremendous debt of gratitude and the Council of the City of New York wishes for the swift and safe return of all; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls for the safe return of journalists and United States Soldiers. WA:bg LS#2217 4/2/03 |1013| - 2 -