Statement of Purpose
The Linn/Benton Department of Peace Group was organized in 2006. Our purpose is to wage a public awareness campaign and be citizen lobbyists for the creation of a National Cabinet Level Department of Peace in the United States.
The movement for peace departments internationally began with the UN’s Declaration of an International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World, 2000-2010 (RES/53/25, Nov. 1998). Several countries including the US now have citizens’ campaigns for National Peace Departments. The purpose of creating a new agency will be to research, articulate and facilitate nonviolent solutions to domestic and international problems. This agency would incorporate the US Institute for Peace and the Peace Corps. A Secretary of Peace would advise the President, Department of State and Defense on the prevention and amelioration of international conflicts. The domestic scope of the agency would be to develop policies and programs to address issues such as domestic violence, ethnic and racial violence, gender violence, drug and alcohol abuse, gun violence, school violence, gang violence, prison rehabilitation, and even animal abuse!!
Currently, HR 808, a House of Representatives Bill, was introduced into the legislature on February 5, 2007 by Dennis Kucinich. Rep. Kucinich (OH) has introduced it into each session since July 11, 2001. Two Oregon congresspersons have signed on as co-sponsors, Peter DeFazio and David Wu.
This legislation will pass when a large wave or groundswell of citizens rise up from the American people to support it and work to make themselves heard by Congress.
Objectives toward our Goal
Conducting outreach education and creating public awareness in Linn and Benton Counties through talks, presentations, videos and tabling at public events to raise awareness of the legislation.
Interacting with the local media concerning our participation in public events, keeping them aware of legislative progress, and informing the community about benefits from passage of a Dept. of Peace bill. (news releases, editorials, letters to editor, etc.)
Organizing lobbying at congressional offices for specific Dept. of Peace campaigns, and specifically for our congressional districts (4, 5).
4. Assist in fundraising for
the national campaign and for the activities of our own local group
in an as-needed basis.
click
below to link to Department of Peace