An Open Letter to Residents of Nagasaki, Japan
Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) today sent an open letter to the residents of Nagasaki, Japan offering his deepest condolences upon the death of the city’s mayor, Iccho Itoh:
Washington,
Apr 18, 2007 -
My Dear Friends:
I write to you to offer my heartfelt condolences and prayers upon the death of Iccho Itoh, Mayor of Nagasaki, and I mourn with your country during this difficult time.
I am proud to have called Mayor Itoh a colleague in the quest for a more peaceful world, and I have long been an admirer of Mayor Itoh’s dedication and commitment, especially in his endeavor to achieve total nuclear disarmament. He always seized on opportunities to educate about the dangers of nuclear weapons, and looked forward to the day when the world would be free of the nuclear threat. His voice has resonated throughout the international peace community for over twenty years.
Through his work with Mayors for Peace, Mayor Itoh zealously pursued a world that rejected violence and aggression, and embraced an ethic of peace and nonviolent conflict resolution. His Nagasaki Peace Declaration is a call to action for all who dare to hope for a world free of violence.
Japan has lost a giant, but his spirit of peace will be a powerful protector of Japan and the world. I sincerely hope others will join with me in carrying the mantle of disarmament and nonviolence, that Mayor Itoh’s legacy might endure in our efforts.
Sincerely, /s/ Dennis J. Kucinich Member of Congress
