Oregonians for a U.S. Dept. of Peace and Nonviolence
- by: David Hazen, Oregon Campaign for a U.S. Department of Peace
- recipient: Oregon Congressional Delegation
This petition is ONLY for signatures of people living in the State of Oregon.
The primary conflict resolution strategy in the USA and the rest of the world is violence, which is a learned behavior and a public health problem of epidemic proportions. It drains our nation's economy of trillions. Although the technology to reduce military casualties, to eliminate spousal and child abuse, schoolyard bullying, rape, and other forms of criminal violence is available, we are not using it.
We need a Secretary of Peace at the center of power, and a Peace Academy to teach conflict resolution skills to our nation. The full text of the bill, supporting information and news for activists is provided by The Peace Alliance on the web at www.thepeacealliance.org.
There are 68 co-sponsors for HR808 to establish a U.S. Department of Peace and Nonviolence. Internationally, there are 23 countries participating in a Global Alliance for Ministries and Departments of Peace, with two nations already having installed Ministries of Peace.
The legislation will pass from bill to law when a wave of citizen interest rises up and makes itself heard in the halls of Congress. In an April 2005 survey, Oregonians responded 2:1 in favor of a Department of Peace. Your members of Congress know they are isolated in a bubble of corporate lobbyists, they WANT to hear from you!
The primary conflict resolution strategy in the USA and the rest of the world is violence, which is a learned behavior and a public health problem of epidemic proportions. It drains our nation's economy of trillions. Although the technology to reduce military casualties, to eliminate spousal and child abuse, schoolyard bullying, rape, and other forms of criminal violence is available, we are not using it.
We need a Secretary of Peace at the center of power, and a Peace Academy to teach conflict resolution skills to our nation. The full text of the bill, supporting information and news for activists is provided by The Peace Alliance on the web at www.thepeacealliance.org.
There are 68 co-sponsors for HR808 to establish a U.S. Department of Peace and Nonviolence. Internationally, there are 23 countries participating in a Global Alliance for Ministries and Departments of Peace, with two nations already having installed Ministries of Peace.
The legislation will pass from bill to law when a wave of citizen interest rises up and makes itself heard in the halls of Congress. In an April 2005 survey, Oregonians responded 2:1 in favor of a Department of Peace. Your members of Congress know they are isolated in a bubble of corporate lobbyists, they WANT to hear from you!
We the undersigned ask that our Oregon Senators introduce a non-partisan bill in the Senate, and our Oregon Representatives co-sponsor HR 808 in the House, a bill to establish a United States Department of Peace and Non-violence. We will gratefully defend and support your taking this courageous political action.
Please consider:
1. The world is watching to see if America will walk the talk of our founding fathers, supporting human rights and freedom for everyone, not just a few.
2. What could be more important than creating true security by living in peace with our fellow human beings everywhere?
3. How better to support our interests and defuse terrorism than to create a Department of Peace?
4. How we can solve our climate problems if we are burning our resources in conflict?
5. How long do you think we have to get it right?
The time is ripe for a Department of Peace. Our national rates of homicide, suicide, bullying, rape, child and spousal abuse, violence in our media, and spending on the military, are shocking.
The epidemic of violence in our homes, schools, streets, prisons, and among police, gangs, and ethnic groups is estimated to cost $300 billion per year by WHO. The annual direct cost of US military involvement in violent conflict is currently $666 billion, the indirect costs -- of veteran's benefits and interest on the national debt due to military spending -- are over $300 billion. Currently, State Department funding for diplomacy and development, $35 billion, does not address violence within the USA or terrorism.
With a Department of Peace, the United States can be as effective in addressing the sources of violence as in reacting to its symptoms, save trillions of dollars in the process, and provide a secure and prosperous future for our children and the generations to come. Implementation of the Department of Peace at the Federal level would provide funding and coordination for nonviolent conflict resolution programs that are already proven to be effective. In addition, as our military forces become skilled in peace-building methodologies and the threat of nuclear weapons is reduced, our national budget can be reclaimed for humanitarian purposes.
The time to act is now. Please support us by sponsoring or co-sponsoring legislation to establish a U.S. Department of Peace.
Respectfully submitted,
Your Oregon constituents
Sign PetitionSign PetitionPlease consider:
1. The world is watching to see if America will walk the talk of our founding fathers, supporting human rights and freedom for everyone, not just a few.
2. What could be more important than creating true security by living in peace with our fellow human beings everywhere?
3. How better to support our interests and defuse terrorism than to create a Department of Peace?
4. How we can solve our climate problems if we are burning our resources in conflict?
5. How long do you think we have to get it right?
The time is ripe for a Department of Peace. Our national rates of homicide, suicide, bullying, rape, child and spousal abuse, violence in our media, and spending on the military, are shocking.
The epidemic of violence in our homes, schools, streets, prisons, and among police, gangs, and ethnic groups is estimated to cost $300 billion per year by WHO. The annual direct cost of US military involvement in violent conflict is currently $666 billion, the indirect costs -- of veteran's benefits and interest on the national debt due to military spending -- are over $300 billion. Currently, State Department funding for diplomacy and development, $35 billion, does not address violence within the USA or terrorism.
With a Department of Peace, the United States can be as effective in addressing the sources of violence as in reacting to its symptoms, save trillions of dollars in the process, and provide a secure and prosperous future for our children and the generations to come. Implementation of the Department of Peace at the Federal level would provide funding and coordination for nonviolent conflict resolution programs that are already proven to be effective. In addition, as our military forces become skilled in peace-building methodologies and the threat of nuclear weapons is reduced, our national budget can be reclaimed for humanitarian purposes.
The time to act is now. Please support us by sponsoring or co-sponsoring legislation to establish a U.S. Department of Peace.
Respectfully submitted,
Your Oregon constituents
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