Takano Applauds Obama’s Call for Disarmament

WASHINGTON — Rep. Mark Takano (D-Riverside) released the following statement after President Obama’s speech in Hiroshima on May 27:

Rep. Mark Takano

“This morning, President Obama delivered a powerful message to the world about the lessons of Hiroshima and articulated a vision for a peaceful future free from the suffering and destruction caused by nuclear weapons.

“His visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial was historic and profoundly meaningful in reminding us of the complexities of war and the urgent need to restart the conversation on nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament.

“It is a moral imperative for every world leader with access to a nuclear arsenal to follow in President Obama’s footsteps and visit Hiroshima. I am grateful to the president for his leadership and hope this moment proves to be a turning point in the effort to stop the spread of nuclear weapons.

“There are no words or actions that can fully heal the wounds of World War II. But the survivors of the bomb, including my cousin, can take comfort in the fact that we are committed to ensuring a nuclear weapon is never used again.”

Last month, Takano sent a letter to the president and delivered a floor speech urging him to visit Hiroshima during his trip to Japan for the G-7 summit.