CALL TO ACTION:
 Dear
Friends of Peace,
On September 22nd, 2005, Senator Mark Dayton (D-MN) introduced the Department
of Peace legislation into the U.S. Senate, calling for an elevation of
the Reagan-established "Institute of Peace" to a Cabinet-level
position. Appropriately, Dayton's legislation coincides with the 44th
anniversary of the nation's oldest federal agency dedicated to peace.
On September 22nd, in 1961, President Kennedy signed legislation that
created the Peace Corps, an idea originally proposed by Senator Hubert
Humphrey in 1957. [The references to Reagan and Kennedy are a brilliant
strategy, making the initiative visibly bi-partisan.]
This is a huge moment for our campaign, and for the future of the Department
of Peace! Senator Dayton's leadership and enthusiastic support will take
us to the next level in our work as we continue to advocate for this historic
legislation.
Speaking from the Senate floor, Dayton said, "If we are to remain
the world's leader, and if we are to lead the world into a more secure
and more prosperous future, we must become better known and more respected
for our peacemaking successes than for our military forces. Peace, to
have any lasting value, must be advanced, expanded and strengthened continuously.
Doing so requires skill, dedication, persistence, resources, and, most
importantly, people."
That’s US, folks! Your hard work, dedication and persistent efforts
are having beautiful results.
Many thanks to our Department of Peace activists from Minnesota who met
with Senator Dayton this past week at our conference and encouraged him
to take this on. In particular we thank three of our youth leaders: Chelsea
Skog, Eric Skog and Raven Kinnell who also met with the Senator. Senator
Dayton said he was doing it for them, and for all our youth.
SPECIAL QUICK ACTION REQUESTS:
1. Call Senator Mark Dayton’s office TOMORROW to thank him for
introducing the legislation (I know we asked this of you already, but
it’s ok to do twice, because now the legislation is a fact). And
follow up with a faxed letter to his office. Contact info is below. You
may include why you feel the DOP is so important and that you will continue
to advocate for additional support from other Senators to make his job
easier.
2. Call Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein WITHIN THE NEXT WEEK and follow
up with a faxed letter as well. Tell the staffer who answers your call
that you want your Senator to sign on as a co-sponsor of the Department
of Peace legislation that was introduced in the Senate on Sept. 22, 2005.
Repeat that in your letter, and request a written response explaining
your Senator's position and the reasoning behind it. It's most effective
if you call first, then follow-up with a fax.
Senator Barbara Boxer
Web Site: boxer.senate.gov
Washington Office:
SH-112
Washington, D.C. 20510-0505
Phone: (202) 224-3553
Fax: (415) 956-6701
Senator Mark Dayton
Web Site: dayton.senate.gov
Washington Office:
SR-123
Washington, D.C. 20510-2305
Phone: (202) 224-3244
Fax: (202) 228-2186
Senator Dianne Feinstein
Washington Office:
331 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-3841
Fax: 202-228-3954
Americans For The Department of Peace
Christine Elliot and John McNeil
Southern California State Coordinators
CLICK
HERE to receive AFDOP Email Updates
with reminders of monthly meetings and regular updates on the progress
of AFDOP and the Department of Peace.
Americans for the Department of Peace
(AFDOP) is a citizens’ group advocating passage of the Bill
to establish a cabinet level U.S. Department of Peace.
We are the Southern California chapter of the national organization to
advocate for this Bill,
“The Peace Alliance”:
www.the peacealliance.org
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