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There is a nationwide pro-peace movement. In all 50 States there are Department of Peace groups, asking for support to help prevent violence in our own country and treat it as a national priority. This can be done in part by passing a Federal law about it. Bill HR-808 is a violence-prevention bill currently sitting in Congress with 66 co-sponsors. We want every American citizen to know about it, get involved and ask your Congressman or Congresswomen to support the bill by signing it.
We’re not an Anti-War group and we aren't protesting anything. We are about Change. We’ve chosen to invest our energy into something positive, we can help create, that has practical solutions.
This is your chance to ‘Stand up for Peace’in our own communities and our own country. Help by taking one action to help pass this Federal ‘Peace Bill’. True change comes from a combined effort of citizens wanting it and then a government system or officials supporting it.
All it takes is one person, taking an action and the rest becomes history.
The Bill:
The bill calls for the creation of a 'U.S. Department of Peace and Nonviolence' within the President’s Cabinet. Doing this would provide the political strength and resources needed to create a national shift in our culture towards a pro peace-building community. As a cabinet-level position, which means it would operate on the same levels as the Department of Homeland Security or Department of Agriculture, the Department of Peace and Nonviolence would research and develop the latest in violence prevention strategies. It would also advise the President on how to non-violently address domestic and international conflict before it results in large scale violence. Establishing a Federal Department dedicated solely towards peace building, conflict resolution and violence reduction policies and programs, provides the political strength needed to shift our focus from reacting to the aftermath of violence, to understanding and eliminating the root causes of violence.
The Goals:
- Teach violence prevention in schools, grades K through 12th; as well as develop new educational programs that promote conflict resolution among school children.
- Focus on reducing the levels of domestic violence, gang violence, child abuse and drug and alcohol related violence by developing policies and providing funds for anti-violence educational programs.
- Effectively treat gang violence and work to rehabilitate the prison population.
- Rehabilitate the prison population
- Focus on peace-making efforts among conflicting cultures within America and other countries.
- Support our military with alternative, approaches to peace-building and cultural understanding.
- Provide assistance to law officers and city, county, state governments by supporting, existing, community building programs within their own cities and local communities.
- Create a U.S. Peace Studies Academy, on the same level as the U.S. Military Academy.
- and much more…
download THIS Adobe PDF file
download Talking Points 2007
download Overview of the Need for this bill
download Key Highlights of Bill HR-808
download Broward County hate crimes up 27%
Over 300 US colleges and universities now give advanced degrees in Peacebuilding Studies(including conflict resolution and non-violent communication). With the passage of this bill, grants and funding could be increased so schools could provide much needed classes in nonviolence education and programs like student/peer mediation. The benefits of giving schoolchildren the tools they need to express themselves and communciate their feelings while still in elementary, junior high and high school settings,goes without saying. Not only are these types of classes a life saving, life altering aide for students, teachers and schools but also for our local communities. Violence affects everyone.
This bill was reintroduced to Congress in February 2009 and already has 66 Representatives signed on as Co-Sponsors. We're proud to share with you that 3 of those co-sponsors are right here in Florida. Special thanks to Representative Robert Wexler (District 19) and Representative Alcee L. Hastings(District 23)from South Florida and Representative Corinne Brown(District 3)from North Florida for stepping forward and continuing to support this growing movement.
Get Active in your Community!
Sign on to be a Volunteer or a Team Leader and we'll connect you with other volunteers in your State, keep you posted with important updates and calls to action. We have active groups in every State building a local network of activists to work with congressional offices, interact with local media, and perform outreach and education in their areas. It's fun and fulfilling work to help foster positive, proactive change toward the creation of a less violent and more peaceful world. There is no more powerful role to play in moving the Campaign for a U.S. Department of Peace forward than to commit to becoming a Volunteer or Team Leader in your own cities. If you're interested in joining, contact me.
Click below to join your local group!
