HomeMy WebLinkAboutProclamation - Hiroshima & Nagasaki Day 2025 C I T Y O F
ASHLAND
A PROCLAMATION IN HONOR OF HIROSHIMA & NAGASAKI DAY
WHEREAS,Ashland's public commitment to end the threat of nuclear catastrophe dates back to 1982,when
its citizens passed a ballot measure declaring the city a Nuclear Free Zone.The non-profit organization
Peace House grew out of that effort in 1983.The 2025 Rogue Valley Hiroshima Nagasaki Vigil marks the 40th
consecutive year commemorating the atomic bombings of those cities.
WHEREAS,Ashland became a Mayors for Peace city in 1998, responding to a global invitation from the
mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to work for the abolition of nuclear weapons.As of July 1,2025,there are
8,497 Mayors for Peace cities in 166 nations,including 230 in the United States and eight in Oregon.
WHEREAS,In addition to promoting safe and resilient cities,and a culture of peace,Mayors for Peace
supports the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons,adopted in July 2017. It entered into force
January 2021 and is legally binding on the 70 governments that have ratified it thus far.Another 23 have
signed and await ratification.
WHEREAS,The Oregon Legislature passed Senate Joint Memorial 5 in 2019,calling on the President and
Congress to lead global efforts to reduce the threat of nuclear war.
WHEREAS,Ashland is home to two living Hiroshima Peace"ambassadors"grown from seeds of trees that
survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.The Peace Ginkgo is near Thalden Pavilion on the Southern
Oregon University campus,and the Peace Camellia is near the entrance of Lithia Park's Japanese Garden.
WHEREAS, In June of 2024,the U.S.Conference of Mayors adopted a resolution urging the President and
Congress to increase dialogue with other nuclear-armed nations,and work to reduce tensions and explore
risk reduction strategies together.
WHEREAS, From August 6-9,concerned citizens,civic organizations and faith communities in Ashland and
the Rogue Valley will commemorate the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki,remember all
victims of nuclear weapons development and testing,and renew commitments to prevent such weapons
from ever being used again.
NOW,THEREFORE, I,Tonya Graham,on behalf of the City of Ashland,do hereby proclaim August 6,2025,as:
"Hiroshima Day"and August 9,2026 as:"Nagasaki Day"
I invite all citizens to participate in the local Hiroshima - Nagasaki Vigil activities.In Ashland we are Better
Together.
Dated this 5th day of August 2025.
At-u- AA I
Tonya Gra m,Mayor Ali sa Ko odzinski,City Recorder
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