RESOLUTION NO. 240464
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Sponsor: Councilmember Eric Bunch
RESOLUTION - Commending the Palestinian American Medical Association and recognizing its Kansas City roots and humanitarian efforts in Gaza.
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WHEREAS, the Palestinian American Medical Association (PAMA) was founded and incorporated in Kansas City to advance healthcare and provide life-saving humanitarian aid in Gaza, Palestine through the establishment of healthcare clinics, rehabilitation programs, scholarship and training initiatives, and medical missions aimed at delivering critical specialized medical care to the people of Palestine; and
WHEREAS, PAMA is composed of 1,600+ members including 750 healthcare workers from the metro and has completed 18 medical missions into Gaza in the last 6 months displaying courage and dedication to humanity and morality by risking their lives to provide vital medical care in Palestine amidst the targeting of over 900 medical workers, the destruction of 330 medical facilities, and the prevention of medical and humanitarian aid entry by Israeli forces; and
WHEREAS, PAMA has encountered unfathomable destruction, loss, and trauma, including being denied exit, the killings of two medical staff, psychological trauma, restriction to 10% of operating capacity, destruction of millions of dollars in PAMA-funded medical facilities, obstruction of 3,200 PAMA scholarship recipients’ medical education, and unfounded accusations against PAMA’s work and credibility; and
WHEREAS, PAMA medical teams continue to work towards and call for an end to all hostilities to ensure the safety and health of themselves and their patients; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:
That the Mayor and Council hereby honor the Palestinian American Medical Association for its courageous and invaluable humanitarian efforts in Gaza, recognize the Palestinian American Medical Association’s deeply rooted connection to the community of Kansas City, Missouri, commend the heroic contributions of healthcare workers locally and in Palestine, and support PAMA in their efforts to promote healing and resilience and to educate our community on violence threatening Palestinian lives; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the Council in testimony thereof and that a copy hereof be presented to the Palestinian American Medical Association.
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