US Congressman Denis Kucinich: A New Deal For A New Spirit of Peace

Published Thursday, 3rd May, 2012 | By Susan AKA Peacefull

When we decide we are tired of inner conficts, pain and war then we will be ready to embrace this new spirit of peace in the world.

http://kucinich.house.gov/issues/issue/?issueid=1564

Congressman Kucinich is a strong advocate for peace, in the individual and social spheres, and in national and foreign policy. He believes that our government must develop a new broad-based approach to peaceful, non-violent conflict resolution, both domestically and abroad. He supports a government that will hold non-violence as an organizing principle in our society, and help to create the conditions for a more peaceful world.

Department of Peace Bill

Summary of Department of Peace a Legislation

Department of Peace and Nonviolence Act Introduced in the Senate

America: A New Spirit

Legislation Introduced to Create a Department of Peace

On February 3, 2009, Congressman Kucinich introduced H.R. 808 (first introduced July 11, 2001) a bill to create a Cabinet-level Department of Peace and Nonviolence which embodies a broad-based approach to peaceful, non-violent conflict resolution at both domestic and international levels. The Department of Peace and Nonviolence would serve to promote non-violence as an organizing principle in our society, and help to create the conditions for a more peaceful world.

H.R. 808 is essentially the same bill as it was when first introduced in 2001. Notable changes include the establishment of a “Peace Day,” in which all citizens will be encouraged to observe and celebrate the blessings of peace and endeavor to create peace on that day. Additionally, in the 111th Congress the bill language has been updated to reflect the many advances in the study of conflict resolution and analysis since 2001. Congressman Kucinich has added a “Cultural Diplomacy for Peace Grant” program under which the Secretary shall make grants to schools, non-profits, and non-governmental organizations for the purpose of developing international cultural exchanges, including the arts and sports. Congressman Kucinich is hopeful that this grant program will promote diplomacy and cultural understanding between the United States and members of the international community.

Summary of Department of Peace Legislation

Legislation introduced by Congressman Dennis Kucinich to create a Department of Peace and Nonviolence includes the following:

Establish a cabinet-level department in the executive branch of the Federal Government dedicated to peacemaking and the study of conditions that are conducive to both domestic and international peace.

Headed by a Secretary of Peace and Nonviolence, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate.

The mission of the Department shall: hold peace as an organizing principle; endeavor to promote justice and democratic principles to expand human rights; strengthen nonmilitary means of peacemaking; promote the development of human potential; work to create peace, prevent violence, divert from armed conflict and develop new structures in nonviolent dispute resolution; and take a proactive, strategic approach in the development of policies that promote national and international conflict prevention, nonviolent intervention, mediation, peaceful resolution of conflict and structured mediation of conflict.

The Department will create and establish a Peace Academy, modeled after the military service academies, which will provide a 4 year concentration in peace education. Graduates will be required to serve 5 years in public service in programs dedicated to domestic or international nonviolent conflict resolution.

The principal officers of the Department, in addition to the Secretary of Peace and Nonviolence will include; the Under Secretary of Peace and Nonviolence; the Assistant Secretary for Peace Education and Training; the Assistant Secretary for Domestic Peace Activities, the Assistant Secretary for International Peace Activities; the Assistant Secretary for Technology for Peace; the Assistant Secretary for Arms Control and Disarmament; the Assistant Secretary for Peaceful Coexistence and Nonviolent Conflict Resolution; the Assistant Secretary for Human and Economic Rights; and a General Counsel.

The first day of each year, January 1st will be designated as Peace Day in the United States and all citizens should be encouraged to observe and celebrate the blessings of peace and endeavor to create peace in the coming year

Department of Peace Act Introduced in the Senate

On September 22, 2005, Senator Mark Dayton introduced a Senate companion bill to Rep. Kucinich’s Department of Peace and Nonviolence legislation, S. 1756. This is the first time that this bill has been introduced in the Senate.

US Congressman Denis Kucinich: A New Deal For A New Spirit of Peace

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