Don Orne's Conference ReportSeven hundred peace builders from forty eight states went to Washington DC on February 2-6th to help turn Peace into a political force. They went into the halls of Congress and lobbied for the creation of a cabinet level Department of Peace. On February 5th 2007, legislation to establish a U.S. Department of Peace was reintroduced into the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressman Dennis Kucinich. It was co-sponsored by several other members of congress. This bill would provide much needed assistance to efforts by city, county and state governments to coordinate existing programs as well as to develop new programs based on best practices nationally. The bill also proposes teaching violence prevention and mediation to America's school children with the goal of finding the way to effectively treat and dismantle gang psychology.The bills would also provide help to rehabilitate the prison population and build peace making efforts among conflicting cultures both here and abroad. It would support our military with complementary approaches to peace building and create and administer a U.S Peace Academy that would be designated to act as a sister organization to the U. S. Military Academy. Domestically, the Department of Peace would develop policies and allocate resources to effectively reduce the levels of domestic and gang violence, child abuse and various other forms of societal discord. Internationally, the Department would advise the President and Congress on the most sophisticated ideas and techniques regarding peace-creation among nations. Marianne Williamson, along with Lynn McMullen, James O'Dea, Dot Mavor, Denise Brown (Nicole's sister) Rev.Michael Beckwith, Deepak Chopra, and many others created a weekend of information, music, and hope to all who attended. Joaquin Phoenix, Lauren Abramson, Fran Henry, Tricia S. Jones, Michael Shank and Elizabeth and Dennis Kucinich as well as Steven Tyler of Aerosmith and members of congress all joined together as one to support the creation of a Department of Peace. It was pointed out that our country's Founding Fathers called for its creation in the 1776 Convention but it is only now that a ground swell of peaceful Americans is demanding that such an umbrella of heart-centered political force be institutionalized. The width and breadth of this is evident in college campus's throughout the nation. Brandeis University in Massachusetts is extremely active and committed as is Concordia University, U of Maryland-Baltimore, Seattle University, the University of Washington, Pacific Lutheran University, Cabrini College, Regis University, Overlin College, Baldwin Wallace, Southwestern University, George Mason University, Temple University, Drexel University, Mt. San Jacinto College, Wisdon University and Westminster College just to name a few. Many high schools such as Carlsbad High in California and Newton North High School in Massachusetts as well as elementary schools throughout the nation are not only aware of but are actively advocating for a U. S. Department Of Peace. A group of Massachusetts convention attendees met with Mike Stanton at Senator Kennedy's Office. They requested that Senator Kennedy lead the way in the Senate by introducing the bill calling for a department level Cabinet position of a Secretary of Peace. The group stressed its belief that Peace is a nonpartisan issue that deserves full participation by both houses. Don Orne, a member of the Marblehead Peace Committee was among the 700 participants in Washington who attended the conference at the Westin Arlington Gateway Hotel. The three day conference began on February 3rd and culminated on February 5h when over 220 peace builders went to Capitol Hill to lobby support for a Department of Peace from the members of Congress. In addition to Senator Kennedy's office, Don and the other Massachusetts attendees lobbied at the offices of John Tierney, Steven Lynch, Barney Frank and Michael Capuano. Later that day Dennis Kucinish introduced Bill 808 to the House of Representatives. Don Orne, a retired Veteran for Peace, said that "It was such a pleasure to see the drive and intelligence of these young students for Peace. It is after all, their world that they are protecting and honoring by being so involved in such an important effort. They amaze me with their brilliance, their compassion and the depth of their lighted souls." It is hoped that eveyone reading this will contact their congressman and Senator and encourage them to co-sponsor and support the adoption and implementation of The Department of Peace. Senator Edward Kennedy's Office: Mike Stanton 1-703 944-4476 Postcards can be sent to: Senator Edward Kennedy If you wish to join a Peace group in your area, please call Don at 781-631-0786 or contact one of the Marblehead Peace Committee members: Sandra Winter, Tom Gale, Devon Hildrith, Cynthia Woods, Nickoli Bailey or Pat Simon.
Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 02/18/2007 - 9:02pm.
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