I will be introducing a resolution calling on the President of the United States and members of Congress to increase funding for humanitarian aid to Darfur at the Town Board meeting on Wednesday night, January 10.

Almost 400,000 people have been violently murdered in Darfur since the genocide began in February of 2003 and there are still approximately 3.5 million men, women and children in the western Darfur region of Sudan trying to survive the Sudanese government-sponsored campaign of violence and forced starvation.

This is a grave situation made worse by the Sudanese military offensive in Darfur, which began in August 2006, which has displaced additional Darfurians and will likely cost thousands of additional lives.

Urging Congress and the President to increase funding for a planned United Nations peacekeeping operation, the current African Union peacekeeping operation, and for humanitarian aid in Darfur is a step we as concerned citizens must take.

We as a board have passed similar resolutions in the past when situations have become so dire as to warrant it, including resolutions opposing the Patriot Act and the Iraq War. This situation is equally as disastrous. Please join with the Town Board in urging Congress and the President to increase the funding for humanitarian aid by writing letters to members of Congress and the President asking them to take the necessary actions to end this tragedy.