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Massachusetts Congressman Ed Markey Signs on to the Department of Peace Bill

By Andrea Loretz-Frey: We are certainly living in some very exciting times! October was a busy month for district 7 with continued campaign discussions, "thank you" letters and follow- ups regarding the many campaign meetings that took place in September and over the summer. This month posed a lot of discussion with fellow campaign supporters with how to reach the wider population in our communities to educate others on this campaign. It is very clear that the campaign for a U.S. Department of Peace & Non-violence is spreading with great fervor, as many in our communities reach out to seek other ways to help our communities, and our world.

I would like to extend a huge "thank you" to Joe de Rivera for recently taking the time to discuss the campaign with Congressman Ed Markey and "seal the deal"! It is proof that all of the collective cumulative efforts over the past couple of years and most recent intense efforts these past months do matter! Our efforts are not finished by a long shot. For more please see the district 7 report below.

Vermont Senator Jim Jeffords Signs on to the Department of Peace Bill

Another milestone was reached in our campaign as first non-Democrat to support the Department of Peace legislation signed on to the bill on October 28, 2005. Senator Jim Jeffords, who left the Republican party in 2001 and became an Independent, signed on with little fanfare. There has been no press release and the senator's website does not mention his signing on to the bill. However, this is an important development as Jeffords independent status could serve as a bridge to get some much needed Republican support for the bill. Join us in thanking Senator Jeffords for his courage and vision.

Brandeis and the Birth of a Massachusetts Student Coalition for the Dept. of Peace

We were recently contacted by Aaron Voldman, a student at Brandeis University in Waltham. Aaron has been involved in peace activism for several years from his native Vermont, and we are thrilled that he has now brought his energy and leadership to Massachusetts! Aaron is part of a Brandeis student group called Positive Foundations. This group will vote in the next few days on whether to take on the Department of Peace campaign as one of its initiatives. If the vote is "yes", then the group will likely set up a new committee for the purpose of coordinating the campaign at Brandeis.

Aaron is also organizing a teach-in on creating a culture of peace. This workshop will feature faculty and student leaders from Brandeis and other schools. Gaining the support of the student population is crucial for our campaign. We look forward to hearing much more from Aaron as his initiatives develop.

People's Summit for Department of Peace

On October 18th in London, representatives from twelve countries launched the People's Initiative for Departments of Peace, connecting the U.S. Department of Peace campaign with a global grassroots alliance. Dot Maver, executive director of the Peace Alliance (the U.S. Department of Peace campaign organization), represented the United States at the summit. She reports that people in other countries are greatly heartened by our efforts to create an infrastructure for peace. Delegates from all countries spoke of peace-building and conflict transformation technologies that already exist, that simply need the will of the people to demand that they be instituted and further developed.

The next summit is planned for June 20-21, 2006 in Victoria, Canada, preceding the first World Peace Forum in Vancouver. It seems clear that we are witnessing the birth of an unprecedented global grassroots movement. The momentum toward peace and justice is unstoppable.

"Bring Home the Troops" - a Discussion Panel in Concord, MA

The Social Action Committee of First Parish in Concord is co-sponsoring a discussion panel entitled "Bring Home the Troops" on November 14th in the parish hall. This discussion will cover current status, possible directions and ways to extricate ourselves from the situation in Iraq. The panel will feature a moderator, a politician, a member of the clergy, a military veteran returned from Iraq and a mother of a soldier in Iraq. The Department of Peace campaign will have an information table at the event. Contact Bob Andrews for more information at bob.andrews3@verizon.net.

Forum on Iraq - Congressman John Tierney in Bedford, MA

Congressman John Tierney will make a statement and answer questions about the war in Iraq at the First Parish Church on the Bedford Common on Sunday November 20th, 2:30 to 5pm. at The First Parish Church, 75 Great Rd., Bedford.

For further information about this Forum on Iraq contact Tom Larkin (tomlarkin@verizon.net or 781-275-8175) or Jacqueline Haas (Jacqueline@yahoo.com).

U.S. Senate Lobby

The Senate bill has been referred to the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Neither Kennedy nor Kerry are on this committee, however you can still make a call to them to ask them to urge their colleagues on the committee to bring the legislation under consideration.

U.S. Congressional Lobby

The Department of Peace and Non-violence legislation has been referred to four House committees for consideration. There are two ways of getting the bill out of committee and onto the floor of the House of Representatives for debate and vote. The typical way is that the committees vote to have the bill "reported" to the floor. The alternative way is to pass a discharge petition, which must be signed by a majority of the House membership (218 members).

We would like the Department of Peace and Non-violence bill to get to the house floor during this session of Congress. We know that the bill does not have enough support to pass, but the publicity that would accompany it getting voted down would be invaluable. Our best chance of doing that is to get the bill through committee.

In order to get the bill through committee, we need each of you to contact Massachusetts committee members and urge them to push for consideration of the bill in committee. Call the following congressmen and ask them to do this.

Judiciary Committee: Marty Meehan (5th district)

Education and Workforce Committee: John Tierney (6th district)

Government Reform Committee: Stephen Lynch (9th district)

International Relations Committee: William Delahunt (10th district)

District 1

Jaffrey Harp of Leverett has written a Letter to the Editor in the Boston Globe (October 29). We have contacted him. He is happy to know of the state campaign and wants to participate!

Call Traprock Peace Center in Deerfield, MA, (www.traprockpeace.org) to learn about their involvement in educational work about the Dept of Peace and in lobbying the senators in our state for support of the Dayton bill. The center has, for decades, explored non-violence, worked to end war, and taken initiatives on justice and the environment.

District 2

On Oct. 25, Susan Lantz and another from her district, did a radio interview on the Dept of Peace on the Pioneer Valley Free Radio. "It was great fun (my first) and three people called in!!! They were so excited to know of this initiative and spoke of how it gave them hope. If any of you know of local stations that do interviews, I'd love to know about them and get set up. It's a good way to reach more people."

In addition, on that same day, Susan asked 10 people to call Congressman Richard Neal's office on the 27th. She urged that each of them then ask 10 people to call that office on a certain day, listing a number of points to make to whomever they spoke, such as:"We need an alternative to war"; "We need to be taught how to make peace"; Domestic violence is running rampant"; "Peace is practical, it saves money".

She said to her group as she wrote these instructions, "We will continue hounding him until he's on board!"

District 3

Congressman Jim McGovern is already a co-sponsor of the bill, but again, community outreach is needed. Judith Torian can be contacted (Judith_torian@needham.k12.ma.usfor information about efforts to educate about the bill and the campaign.

District 4

Happily, the Principal of Newton North High School, the district's largest, will be offering a Department of Peace Club to students. They will be excited at the idea of calling Congressman Barney Frank's office to schedule a visit with him!

If you know anyone who would like to participate in the campaign in any capacity in district 4, please contact Pat Simon.

Congressman Frank is a co-sponsor of McGovern's "End the War in Iraq Act of 2005" and we feel that he is very likely to support a Department of Peace. We need someone in district 4 to step forward and support the young people in what can be a rewarding action: securing Frank's co-sponsorship of the Department of Peace bill.

District 5

Linda Fields reports that she has ongoing contact with Congressman Meehan's press secretary, and that he has become more positive about the Department of Peace legislation.

District 6

Devon Hildreth and Thomas Gale have written a letter for the Marblehead Reporter's TownOnline.com Opinions and Letters about the timeliness of two bills before the Congress to establish a Department of Peace:

Why are two bills before Congress, HR 3760 and S 1756, to establish a U.S. Department of Peace so timely? Is it the recognition that conflict is inevitable and that wars are costly in terms of lives lost (over 100 million people perished during the 20th century in war, most of them civilians), in terms of resources spent ($400 billion a year for the Department of Defense), and in terms of enemies spawned? Is it a growing perception that war and violence are not inevitable when we have tools available to research the underlying causes of conflict and find solutions that truly satisfy the needs of all sides? Is it an awareness that the grand purpose of government is to promote the general welfare? A Department of Peace may be just what we need to begin our journey toward true peace in the world.

District 7

There is still much to do. Upcoming here in district 7, November 12th marks the first of two pro-peace community dialogues, in which we explore what it means for each of us to be "pro-peace". Our open forum will address ideas and methods for effective communication with each other. November 13th is the second pro-peace dialogue series. Nancy Wiesner and Andrea Loretz-Frey will report on current activity in the campaign, the Dept. of Peace & Non-violence conference that we attended this September in D.C., and talk about the pro-peace methods and programs that are already working in communities that we can adopt in our district through voicing these methods to others.

"Dreams show you that you have the power to make a world as you would have it be"¦" (Accept This Gift, edited by Vaughan/Walsh, page. 32)

District 8

Suzy Pearce reports that calls to the Vice Mayor of Cambridge concerning plans for a visit to Congressman Michael Capuano's office have not been returned for Ms. Decker is running for re-election. She is assured of attention to the visit after election day, November 8th!

District 9

Linda Davis reports that a woman, who attended the Lyceum in Sept. at the First Parish in Needham, received an answer from Congressman Lynch's office to her letter. Linda says that "for the first time in our experience, he acknowledges that there is any sort of legislation relating to a Department of Peace - a huge step for him."

She adds that the vigil in Needham, begun three months before the start of the war in Iraq, continues every Saturday.

District 10

Diane Turco continues to work tirelessly with Cape Cod Peace and Justice, which at this point is focused on gathering signatures for the ballot question for 2006 to bring the National Guard home from Iraq. She spent some time with Cindy Sheehan in Texas in August as a member of the same Cape Cod group.

In Closing

On Saturday November 19th from 10:30-12:30, district coordinators and regional leaders will gather for a brunch-meeting at First Parish in Concord. They will focus on ways to network for outreach to new areas in each district for wider participation in the campaign, with a special role for media. It is an opportunity for generating ideas, energy and inspiration.

It is important that we hear from you. What are your thoughts on the Department of Peace? Let us together find ways to make this a reality. Email or call Pat Simon (a href="mailto:psimon@gis.net">psimon@gis.net

December newsletter submissions about local Department of Peace activities are welcome from all. Please submit to Pat or Jason by December 1st.

We leave you with a quote. Many thanks for all you do. We hope to hear from you soon and often!

In Peace,

Pat Simon & Jason White
State Co-coordinators
http://www.propeace.net/madop

"Let's hope that, by the next Halloween, we can make the world a less scary place."
- Jaffrey Harp, Leverett, MA