Congressman Edward J. Markey of Massachusetts 7th District has signed on to the Department of Peace and Non-violence bill! This is a crucial development as Markey is a senior congressman and has been an active proponent of demilitarization, especially nuclear non-proliferation over the past 3 decades of his distinguished congressional career. His support of the Department of Peace legislation continues his work toward making our world more compassionate and safer.

We would like to thank all of the people who worked to make this happen by writing letters, holding meetings, visiting Markey's office and making phone calls. Many thanks to Andrea Loretz-Frey, Nancy Wiesner, Mike O'Brien, Gwendolyn Atwood, Lorie Michaels, Enid and Gordon Winchell, and everyone in district 7 who has made this issue an imperative. And a special thank you to Joe de Rivera, who sealed the deal by speaking directly to Markey about the Department of Peace bill this past Saturday.

There is still much more we must accomplish. It is up to us to let each of the 7 remaining non-sponsoring Massachusetts congressman, as well as Senators Kennedy and Kerry, know about this new development, and once again request their support for the Department of Peace and Non-violence legislation. Call your congressman and senators. Give them the news. Urge their support of HR-3760 (house) or S-1756 (senate).