For Father’s Day this year, the Student Peace Alliance led a nationwide campaign calling for a national dialogue to address the root causes of violence and asking fathers and other Department of Peace supporters to write letters to the editor of local newspapers in an effort to educate communities about the Department of Peace.
For the news story about the campaign that was published at Newsblaze.com, click here. And for a sampling of the many letters that were submitted that actually got published. . . .
New York Daily News, June 18
Imminent danger
Brooklyn: Instead of making Father's Day plans, the Cruz family made funeral arrangements.
Bolivar Cruz, yet another victim of senseless, murderous violence, sacrificed his own life out of love for his family.
He made a choice to act in the face of imminent danger to his children - and thousands of other fathers are making a similar choice with their support of legislation currently in Congress dedicated to reversing this alarming trend of violence in our communities. House bill 808 seeks to prevent heinous acts as these and avoid such tragic outcomes as witnessed in Queens. The Department of Peace and Nonviolence bill would utilize the vast wealth of knowledge and programs that currently exist to drastically reduce domestic, youth, gang and school violence.
Let us honor the love and courage Bolivar Cruz held for his family.
Fathers, the time for action is now.
Kevin Fagan
Danbury (CT) News Times, June 2007
Supports Department of Peace
To the Editor:
There will be no Father's Day for more than 3,400 of our military who have died in Iraq.
Whether parents themselves, or children of parents, the day can only bring deep reflection to those of us here, relatively safe.
Was it really necessary? Was there no other way? Were all the reasons - pro and con - deeply evaluated? Was our country balanced too heavily for war by our Department of Defense?
There is presently a bill pending in Congress - HR 808 - to establish a United States Department of Peace. The measure would add to international problem-solving with more practical insight for non-violent solutions.
Write your Congressional Representative to co-sponsor the bill and click on thepeacealliance.org.
John F. Webster
The Daily Bulldog (ME), June 18, and Morning Sentinel (ME), June 20
The Gift of Peace & Nonviolence for Father's Day
When a man ponders fatherhood and the immense love he has for his children he wants to change the world for them with a lasting legacy. And so do mothers and all of us dedicated to creating a culture of peace to leave our grandchildren and all future generations.
We are calling for a national dialogue to address the root causes of violence. The youth in our country and abroad are drastically affected by violence. Now, more than ever, we need new methods to address and solve conflict before it escalates into violence - both domestically and internationally.
We offer HR 808, legislation to create a cabinet level Department of Peace & Nonviolence, giving institutional heft to the burgeoning science of peacebuilding. The department will give voice to the latest research and expertise on peaceful efforts. It will fund, support and coordinate programs already in existence - in schools, prisons, police departments, educational institutions - that are proven to reduce domestic and international violence and enhance the security and health of all Americans. It will create a uniting framework for existing organizations.
It is time to request our legislators and President Bush give this serious problem serious consideration - for ourselves and our children and our children's children.
Happy Father's Day.
Lynn Ellis
The Syracuse (NY) Post-Standard, June 15
A Father's Day Gift Even a Mother Would Love
To the Editor:
What do fathers REALLY want for Father's Day? The answer to this question applies to mothers and others, also. They want a peaceful environment in which to live, to build community and to raise their families. They want safe schools, safe streets, a safe place to work and to play.
The concept of creating safe spaces through the establishment of a U.S. Department of Peace is currently working its way through Congress in bill HR 808. To date, this resolution has 66 co-sponsors in Congress and has been endorsed by 20 major cities across the United States.
A U.S. Department of Peace will apply non-violent conflict resolution strategies at all levels of society. It will operate on an international level as well as on a domestic level to bring about the peace we all are striving for. Please check out www.thepeacealliance.org for more information about ways to support our military, and to create peace both in our own country and worldwide through this non-partisan resolution.
Encourage our legislators, Rep. James Walsh, Sen. Hilary Clinton and Sen. Charles Schumer to support this resolution to give dads, mothers and others the gift of peace.
Gay Montague
Lansing (MI) State Journal, June 23
End violence
In consideration of Father's Day, may we honor those men who have labored to the benefit of their children; who yearn for a less violent world for them to inhabit; who delight in the sharing of their joy with the life they have co-created; who teach to their young the principles of integrity and goodwill to all, especially when in the midst of adversity. To that end, I continue to support HR 808, a bill in the U.S. House that would establish a U.S. Department of Peace and Nonviolence in our federal government.
This department would address our tax money to the underlying causes of the violence occurring everyday in our schools, homes, streets and abroad. It is both conservative and progressive in nature, creating a sustainable environment where children may thrive rather than simply attempt to survive. Learn more at www.thepeacealliance.org.
Linda Henderson
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