"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
- Margaret Mead

* this page is a mirror of the original at: http://www.caller.com/ccct/local_news/article/0,1641,CCCT_811_1784256,00.html

Group seeks council resolution on Iraq war

Some councilmen don't want statement against possible war

By Mike Baird Caller-Times
March 3, 2003

Patriots For America, now the South Texas Alliance for Peace, will ask the City Council on Tuesday to take a position on the possible war in Iraq.

More than 100 U.S. cities and counties have passed resolutions opposing the war, along with both houses of the Maine legislature and the Hawaii House of representatives.

In Texas, Austin passed an anti-war resolution on Feb. 6 with a vote of 5-0-2. Two council members abstained. Similar campaigns by anti-war groups are under way in Dallas, Galveston, Houston, San Antonio and Wichita Falls.

Susan J. Peeples, a spokeswoman for the South Texas Alliance for Peace, said the group would be pleased if the council would adopt a resolution opposing war with Iraq but understands that it may not happen.

One roadblock Peeples said she anticipates is that the council may misunderstand the resolution and her group's objectives.

"We're a military community with a busy port. We're not opposed to our military forces," Peeples said.

"We're questioning the validity, necessity and morality of this particular action against Iraq."

Council members won't consider the resolution at Tuesday's meeting but will listen to members of the South Texas Alliance for Peace, who will speak during the public comment portion of the meeting. The only way for the resolution to be placed on the next council agenda is if it's approved by Mayor Lloyd Neal, or requested by at least five council members.

"I would not personally be interested in putting such a resolution on the agenda," said Mayor Lloyd Neal. "South Texas has a rich history of military participation and we are very conscious of the sacrifices made by our military men and women."

Council members' reactions are split, with Jesse Noyola, Rex Kinnison and Brent Chesney willing to listen before taking a stand.

"I don't support such a resolution but will withhold final judgement until I have reviewed the wording," Kinnison said.

Councilmen Henry Garrett and John Longoria said they would not support putting the resolution on the agenda. Mark Scott could not be reached for comment.

"It's premature," said Councilman Javier Colmenero. "In lieu of the sensitivity of this issue it's best to see what direction our federal leaders take."

Contact Mike Baird at 886-3774 or bairdm@caller.com

* this page is a mirror of the original at: http://www.caller.com/ccct/local_news/article/0,1641,CCCT_811_1784256,00.html

Write your government officials!:

President George W. Bush
email: president@whitehouse.gov
White House Opinion Line:
(202) 456-1111
Washington Office:
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, US 20500
Phone: (202) 456-1414
Fax: (202) 456-2461

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson
Washington Office:
284 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-4304
Phone: (202) 224-2934
Fax: (202) 224-5220
Main District Office:
10440 N. Central Expressway, #1160
Dallas, TX 75231
Phone: (214) 361-3500
Fax: (214) 361-3502

Senator John Cornyn
Washington Office:
517 Hart Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: (202) 224-2934
Fax: (202) 228-2856
Main District Office:
2323 Bryan St., Ste. 2150
Dallas, TX 75201
Phone: (214) 767-3000

U.S. Representative Solomon P. Ortiz
Washington Office:
2470 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-4327
Phone: (202) 225-7742
Fax: (202) 226-1134
Main District Office:
3649 Leopard, #510
Corpus Christi, TX 78408
Phone: (361) 883-5868
Fax: (361) 884-9201

Governor Rick Perry
Citizen's Opinion Hotline: 1-800-252-9600
PO Box 12428
Austin, TX 78711-2428
Phone: (512) 463-2000
Fax: (512) 463-1849
Washington Office:
122 C St., NW, Ste. 200
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 638-3927
Fax: (202) 628-1943

State Senator Juan Hinojosa
PO Box 12068
Austin, TX 78711-2068
Phone: (512) 463-0120
Fax: (512) 463-0229
Main District Office:
612 Nolana Ste, 410B
McAllen, TX 78504
Phone: (956) 972-1841
Fax: (956) 686-8462

State Rep. Jaime Capelo
E1.424 Capitol Building
Austin, TX 78768-2910
Phone: (512) 463-0462
Fax: (512) 463-9545
Main District Office:
501 S. Tancahua
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
Phone: (361) 882-2277
Fax: (361) 882-2881

City of Corpus Christi:

Mayor Neal, Loyd
email: dianag@ci.corpus-christi.tx.us
Phone: (361) 880-3100
Fax: (361) 880-3103

Kelly, Bill (District 1)
email: maryj@cctexas.com
Phone: (361) 289-1383
Fax: (361) 289-0712

Colmenero, Javier D. (District 2)
email: jcolmenr@davlin.net
Phone: (361) 880-3105
Fax: (361) 880-3113

Noyola, Jesse (District 3)
email: jnoyola@davlin.net
Phone: (361) 880-3105
Fax: (361) 880-3113

Scott, Mark (District 4)
email: mscott@sanjacintotitle.com
Phone: (361) 880-3105
Fax: (361) 880-3113

Kinnison, Rex (District 5)
email: rkcpatx@aol.com
Phone: (361) 880-3105
Office: (361) 884-6396
Fax: (361) 880-3113

Cooper, Melody (At Large)
email: joe@melodycooperlaw.com
(361) 887-8014 (wk)
(361) 850-7383 (hm)

Chesney, Brent (At Large)
email: bchesney@firstam.com
Phone: (361) 880-3105
Fax: (361) 880-3113

Garrett, Henry (At Large)
email: chiefhcg@aol.com
(361) 949-8406
cell: (361) 850-3113
fax: (361) 949-0162

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