Whereas, the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, notes that in 1981, the United Nations established the International Day of Peace to coincide with the opening of the General Assembly; and
Whereas the South Bend Common Council further notes that in 2002, the United Nations permanently established September 21st of each year as the permanent date for the International Day of Peace celebrations; and
Whereas, the International Day of Peace is to "serve as a reminder to all people that [the United Nations], with all its limitations, is a living instrument in the service of peace and should serve... as a constantly pealing bell reminding us that our permanent commitment, above all interests or differences of any kind, is to peace;" and
Whereas, since 2001, the United Nations has expanded the observance of the International Day of Peace to include a call for a day of global ceasefire and non-violence, and invites all nations and people throughout the world to honor a cessation of hostilities on September 21st; and
Whereas, last year throughout the State of Indiana, schools and groups participated in the "Pinwheels for Peace" activity which were created and displayed to inspire their communities to work for peace in joining this worldwide Day of Peace movement.
Now, Therefore, be it resolved, by the Common Council of South Bend, Indiana, as follows:
Section I. On behalf of all of the citizens of the City of South Bend, Indiana, the Common Council hereby publicly declares Friday, September 21, 2007 as International Day of Peacein South Bend, Indiana.
Section II. The South Bend Common Council urges all public and private agencies, schools, places of worship, and residents of our community to commemorate in an appropriate manner the 2007 International Day of Peace as we work together to "establish a global day of peace" in our homes,our communities, and among all nations and people.
Section III. This resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption by the Council and approval by the mayor.
Signed by Derek Dieter,Charlotte Pfeifer, Roland Kelly, Ann Puzzello, David Varner, Ervin Kuspa, Al "Buddy" Kirstis, Timothy Rouse, Karen White, Kathleen Cekanski-Ferrand, adopted on the 10th of September by Stephen Luecke,and attested by John Voorde.