Title
Proclamation recognizing Soka Gakkai International-USA, an American Buddhist association, who recently held their Youth Festival Day promoting "A Culture of Peace."
Body
WHEREAS, Soka Gakkai International-USA (SGI-USA), an American Buddhist association that promotes peace, culture and education, recently held a youth festival for representatives from throughout southwestern Pennsylvania which was based on the theme, “A Culture of Peace”; and
WHEREAS, this gathering was the manifestation of the sincere desire of all SGI-USA youths to create “A Culture of Peace,” based on each individual's social contribution and powered by each person's inner transformation; and
WHEREAS, this significant meeting reminded all participants to assume responsibility for promoting the values, attitudes and behaviors that reject violence and provided them with a view of using dialogue to solve problems among individuals, groups and nations; and
WHEREAS, March 16th is traditionally recognized by the SGI as the “Day of Kosen Rufu” when, throughout the world, more than 12 million SGI members in 190 countries and territories commemorate the events of March 16, 1958, a day on which the young members of the SGI, led by current SGI President, educator, poet laureate and peace activist Daisaku Ikeda, promised to assume the mission and responsibility of establishing the humanistic ideals of Nichiren Buddhism throughout society; and
WHEREAS, the SGI-USA youth festival, which was held on Saturday, March 29, 2008 at the University of Pittsburgh's School of Public Health, celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the “Day of Kosen Rufu,” allowing all participants to renew their shared resolve to strive together to create a new, hope-filled age based up on the humanistic tenets of Nichiren Buddhism;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, Allegheny County Council commends the youth of the SGI-USA for their dedicated and determined efforts to advance peace in the Pittsburgh region a...
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