Help Make the Department of Peace a Reality.

-Len Ellis

On April 8, 2003, the Honorable Dennis Kucinich, along with 53 co-sponsors, introduced Bill H.R. 1673, the purpose to establish a Department of Peace.  The 108^th Session ended without passage of this Bill, and it will be re-introduced September 13, 2005; the Bill will not have a new number until that date.  

Recently, Jim and Nancy Rosemergy of www.InnerJourney.org have put forth a proposal to generate a groundswell of support of the new Bill to establish the Department of Peace.  As with any government agency, there is always an issue of how to fund it, so they have proposed a means.  They have also provided a sample letter, written in a positive, affirming manner, which can be sent to the President, your Representatives and Senators.   

Jim and Nancy talk about the principle called Six Degrees of Separation. "Take any person on earth and consider all the people that he or she knows. A kind of pyramid is formed with the person at the top and all the acquaintances below. Now consider all the people that each of the acquaintances knows and the pyramid quickly grows and expands. The premise is that you have only to do this six times, and you are connected to everyone on earth."  They suggest that we put this premise to the test.

Here is their proposal. "Many of the countries of the world have war departments or departments of defense. The consciousness of conflict is so thoroughly ingrained in us that we make such departments part of our governments. It is time for the members of the human family to ask the leaders of each country to form a Department of Peace, so that when those who think war is the answer gather to plan their actions, they will have another point of view to consider. These departments can also investigate and determine the underlying issues and reasons for regional conflicts. And finally, they can be a gentle force for good that teaches the citizens of their respective nations the principles of peace."

Jim and Nancy started this Peace initiative a few weeks ago.  Part of their proposal deals with the number of people participating.  They envision: "That within 40 days of the beginning of the peace initiative, April 24, 2005, one million people worldwide will know about the quest for peace. In another 40 days, 10 million people will know.  In another 40 days, 100 million will know, and in 40 more days, one billion people will be enrolled in this grassroots pursuit of peace. And finally, after a total of 200 days, the whole world will anticipate the Departments of Peace all over the world working in harmony with one another for the common good."

They continue - "It is time for us to rise up with a single voice and declare, "We are serious about peace."  It is time for the human family to rise up and lead our leaders to the peaceful world we want and to the world in which we are destined to live."

So, what do we, you and I, do?  If we subscribe to and are reading the Dallas Peace Times, we are probably already on board with this idea; we may have already written and sent letters.  It's time to take the next step.  Send another letter; get your friends, family, faith group and associates on board with this campaign.  How can anyone not want peace for our world, for our children's world?  You can print out the letter below, make copies available for them to add their address and name.  We'll post the letter and this article on the website so you can send it via email.  What's important is that you do something, you take action, and by making it as easy as possible, all the more reason help make this a reality.

What is also important is that the original co-sponsors, plus as many additional co-sponsors as possible, be enrolled to promote this Bill.  InTexas, the only two Representatives who co-sponsored were Shelia Jackson-Lee (D-TX, 18th) and Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX, 30th), so be sure to visit with, and write to, your representative.

There is also a Peace Alliance website that has some useful information about writing to and contacting your representatives: www.dopcampaign.org/action.htm

- Sample letter to voice your desire to establish a Department of Peace-

[date]

[Your address]

President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20050

Dear President Bush,

 I am a concerned citizen who currently serves my community and has the same concern as yours -  peace.  As you know, our nation is polarized over the war in Iraq, and the tension extends to many areas of our lives and the world.

People everywhere in our country wonder how they could be a gentle force for peace.  I believe there is a way. In the days and weeks ahead, you should be hearing from many of the great people in our country about a peace initiative. We want you to prayerfully and seriously consider a Department of Peace for our country.  We see this as a Cabinet-Level position with a secretary who is a direct advisor to presidents and policy makers.  In addition, the Department would investigate and determine the root causes of conflicts around the world as well as produce materials so the principles of peace can be better known.

 We propose that the Department be funded in the following manner. On our tax forms there is an opportunity for every citizen to support the political campaign process by simply checking a box.  Similarly, we propose that We The People be given the same opportunity to financially support the Department of Peace by checking a box, and to be able to give additional donations to support the Department as it makes its contribution to world harmony.

 Mr. President, it is time for such an initiative. As you know, you have been labeled the War President. Imagine the difference you would make if you proposed and fully supported a new Department - the Department of Peace.

 Sincerely,

[Your name]

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