WASHINGTON - Washington's Democratic Town Committee has voted to send a resolution to U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi calling for the impeachment of President George Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.

DTC Chair Jane Boyer said the issue has been under discussion for more than a month and, although some of the group's 17 members were opposed to the resolution, it passed by a majority vote at the committee's May 24 meeting.

The resolution reads, "The United States Congress is urgently petitioned to institute impeachment proceedings against the President and Vice President of the United States for approving warrantless surveillance of United States citizens in violation of the Constitution; for condoning torture of prisoners in violation of binding international treaties; for leading the country into war on false premises, among other high crimes and misdemeanors."

"We had quite a bit of discussion about it," reported Ms. Boyer. "Some people did not want to send it; others did. The majority won. That's democracy."

She observed, "My feeling is that one of the major problems in this country is that people won't stand up and be counted," illustrating her point by comparing the public's reticence to decide issues in town meetings, preferring the anonymity of a referendum.

The Democratic Town Committee resolution was mailed to Speaker Pelosi on May 28 with a cover letter from Ms. Boyer, asking that it be filed "along with the many other impeachment requests of towns, cities and others we know have been presented."

"We can no longer be silent as this administration continues to deface our Constitution," the letter concludes.

Washington was the center of a widespread impeachment movement for several months last year, initiated by a grassroots group that culminated in an October public forum.

The movement resulted in a petition to be sent to the U.S. Congress.

Organizers had requested a Special Town Meeting with the official results to be sent to Washington, but the Board of Selectmen refused.

Residents of many surrounding towns attended the meetings, from as far away as Danbury and Torrington.

Months of heated debate dominated Board of Selectmen meetings, with First Selectman Richard Sears eventually vetoing an official stamp on the results by declining to send them to Washington on town letterhead.