Title
Proclamation recognizing the Save Darfur Coalition for their efforts to bring attention to the tragedies in Darfur.
Body
WHEREAS, founded on August 12, 2004, the Pittsburgh Darfur Emergency Coalition directs the attention of local residents to the crimes against humanity occurring in Darfur, Western Sudan; and
WHEREAS, the coalition has organized thousands of people throughout Allegheny County into a collective voice that participates in protests, marches and petitions to denounce to elected officials the tragedies in Darfur; and
WHEREAS, in 2007, the organization rallied elected officials in the county to commit their names to the support of the divestment of businesses tied to Darfur's genocide; and
WHEREAS, on July 19 and 20, 2007, the coalition hosted retired Ambassador Larry Rossin, Sr., the international coordinator for the national Save Darfur Coalition, in Pittsburgh to raise awareness about Darfur; and
WHEREAS, during the presidential inauguration on January 20, 2009, the group sent 150 volunteers to Washington D.C. and collected nearly 5,000 signatures for the Million Voices for Darfur campaign, which aims to send one million signed postcards to President Obama in support of Darfur efforts; and
WHEREAS, the Pittsburgh chapter will host the President of Save Darfur Coalition, Jerry Fowler, for three days in Pittsburgh in March 2009;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that this Council, on behalf of the Citizens of Allegheny County, hereby recognizes the Pittsburgh Darfur Emergency Coalition for its work to bring local attention to the genocide in Darfur. Furthermore, we support you and your valiant efforts with national organizations to end the Darfur tragedy.