• Whereas principles of Unitarian Universalism call for

  "a free and responsible search for truth and meaning" and "the goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all."

• Whereas Bill Sinkford, President of the Unitarian Universalist Association, called on December 6, 2005, for the U.S. Congress "to adopt legislation requiring the Administration to create and implement a plan to withdraw American forces from Iraq."


• Whereas President George W. Bush stated on April 13, 2004, that "as a proud and independent people, Iraqis do not support an indefinite occupation and neither does America."


• Whereas the invasion and occupation of Iraq has failed to discover weapons of mass destruction, establish peace, or restore stability within that nation.


• Whereas the war in Iraq is costing Americans hundreds of billions of dollars that are desperately needed for domestic and peaceful international programs.


• Whereas deaths due to the Iraq war have exceeded 30,000 Iraqi civilians and 3,000 U.S. troops in three years.


• Whereas public opinion polls in both the United States and Iraq indicate majority support for a near-term exit plan with clear steps for implementation.

Therefore, be it resolved that the Social Justice Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockville

• Recognizes that the continued presence of U.S. military forces in Iraq contradicts core principles of Unitarian Universalism;


• Calls on the U.S. Congress to adopt legislation requiring the Administration to create and implement a plan and timetable to withdraw all U.S. forces from Iraq;


• Calls on the U.S. Congress to adopt legislation requiring the Administration to honor the Geneva Conventions at all times;


• Calls on the U.S. Congress to adopt legislation requiring the Administration to fulfill its commitment to help reconstruct Iraq and restore its status as a sovereign state;


• Charges its members to further educate and organize on this issue within UUCR and the community;


• Encourages members and friends of UUCR to join with other individuals and organizations, religious and secular, to achieve these goals through democratic and nonviolent means;


• Approves dissemination of this resolution to the UUCR membership, to the Unitarian Universalist Association; local, state and national elected representatives; and the media.