Local Resolution (Berkeley CA)

Adopt the Berkeley Space Preservation Resolution in Your Town

The Berkeley Resolution can be adapted to every city. Present it to your city council, mayor, etc., and ask them to pass this in your city. Below is the Berkeley Resolution. You can also read Letters of Support and read the story of the Berkeley Resolution in our Education Section.

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Berkeley Resolution # 61744

CONSENT CALENDAR
Date: 9-10-02 PASSED
RESOLUTION NUMBER 61744

To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council

From: Council member Dona Spring

Subject:
ENDORSING THE SPACE PRESERVATION ACT AND COMPANION SPACE PRESERVATION TREATY TO PERMANENTLY BAN THE WEAPONIZATION OF SPACE RECOMMENDATION:

That the Council pass the attached resolution supporting the Space Preservation Act and the companion Space Preservation Treaty, and request that the City Manager send letters to our federal representatives urging their support of the Space Preservation Act.

BACKGROUND: On January 23rd 2002, Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) introduced the Space Preservation Act, companion to the Space Preservation Treaty, to the US House of Representatives. In the words of Congressman Kucinich, "We can take this technology for destruction, for war, and, through this proposal, create a technology for peace. We can create a world where war no longer becomes inevitable. We first have to look to a practical measure, such a measure to stop the weaponization of space. There are so many opportunities for the evolution of our species. There is the possibility of space travel, for commerce, for exploration. That is part of the human spirit. It always has been. And so we have the chance today, launching this effort for peace, through saying, There shall be no weapons in space.' But not only that, but to use the legislation as a matrix for a treaty to preserve space which we will ask leaders from all over the world to sign.

Please see attached.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: NONE

CONTACT PERSON: Councilmember Dona Spring 510 981-7140

RESOLUTION NO. 61744
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE SPACE PRESERVATION ACT AND THE SPACE PRESERVATION TREATY TO PERMANENTLY BAN THE WEAPONIZATION OF SPACE

WHEREAS, the Space Preservation Act and the companion Space Preservation Treaty will establish a permanent ban on all space-based weapons, on the use of weapons to destroy or damage objects in space that are in orbit; and the permanent termination of research and development, testing, manufacturing, production and deployment of all space-based weapons; and

WHEREAS, the termination of the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty on June 13, 2002 will permit research, development, testing, manufacturing, production and deployment of space-based weapons, thereby instigating a dangerous, costly, and destabilizing arms race in space, endangering all residents of Berkeley, the United States of America and all of humankind, and invading outer space, humanity's weapons-free common heritage, with space-based weapons; and

WHEREAS, The Space Preservation Act, companion to the Space Preservation Treaty, introduced by U.S. Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), requires the U.S. President to work toward "negotiating, adopting and implementing an international treaty banning space-based weapons and the use of weapons to destroy or damage objects in space that are in orbit;" and

WHEREAS, the Space Preservation Treaty will establish an outer space peacekeeping agency to monitor outer space and enforce the permanent ban of space-based weapons; and

WHEREAS, The Space Preservation Act and the Space Preservation Treaty facilitate future public and private investment in clean and safe technology, products and services, and in sustainable, non-weapons, expanded civil, commercial and military, world cooperative space ventures, and the consequent stimulation of the national and world economy. The Act and the Treaty do not prohibit activities including space exploration, space research and development, testing, manufacturing or deployment that is not related to space-based weapons or systems, or civil, commercial, or defense activities (including communications, navigation, surveillance, reconnaissance, early warning, or remote sensing) that are not related to space-based weapons or systems;" and

WHEREAS, the Space Preservation Act and the Space Preservation Treaty preserve the peaceful, cooperative uses of space for all residents of Berkeley and for all humankind; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

1) THAT IT IS THE WILL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BERKELEY THAT THE U.S. SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ENACT AND THE U.S. PRESIDENT SIGN AND ENFORCE THE SPACE PRESERVATION ACT; and

2) THAT IT IS THE WILL OF THE COUNCIL THAT THE U.S. PRESIDENT, INDIVIDUALLY OR AT AN EMERGENCY TREATY CONFERENCE, SIGN THE SPACE PRESERVATION TREATY, AND THAT THE U.S. SENATE RATIFY IT TO PERMANENTLY BAN ALL SPACE-BASED WEAPONS TO PRESERVE THE COOPERATIVE, PEACEFUL USES OF SPACE FOR ALL RESIDENTS OF BERKELEY AND FOR ALL HUMANKIND; and

3) The Council of the City of Berkeley hereby declares that the space 60 kilometers and above the City of Berkeley is a space-based weapons-free zone; and

4) This Resolution of the Council of the City of Berkeley is hereby recommended to be adopted by all Municipalities in the United States of America and worldwide.