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We’re taking three days during Culture of Peace Month 2007 -- September 18, 19, and 20 -- to contact three specific U.S. Senators and ask them to come together for a nonpartisan introduction of the legislation in the Senate.
We're calling and writing Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA), Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT).
On each day, we'll send an email to approximately one-third of our constituency, inviting them to call and write these three Senators according to the following schedule:
September 18: People subscribed with states (alphabetically) from Alaska to Maine
September 19: People subscribed with states Massachusetts to Wyoming
September 20: People subscribed with no state listed and international addresses
Want to be included in emails about such actions in the future? Join our email list here.
Below are sample scripts, pertinent information, and phone numbers for the Senators' offices. People subscribed to our email list received names of specific people in each Senator's office with whom Department of Peace Campaign volunteers have met, but you can also just call the main number and share your message with the staffer who answers. Please be courteous, professional and patient. Our goal is to invite them into courageous action. Remember: Connect rather than convince!
We're calling:
Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) at (202) 224-4543
Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) at (202) 224-5251
and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) at (202) 224-5141.
It is especially important that you call if you are a constituent of one of these Senators! If you're not, it's important to tell them WHY you're calling - because this is a national issue - a GLOBAL issue - and we are counting on them to be national and global leaders.
After you call, you can also send them an email and fax by clicking here.
General Sample Script for All Senators
Hi, my name is __________________ and I'm calling from _______________ [your state]. Even though I'm not a constituent of Senator _________________ [OR] As a constituent of Senator _________________, I'm calling to ask him to lead a nonpartisan introduction into the Senate of legislation to establish a U.S. Department of Peace. I'm making this request because the issue of violence is not limited to any one state. It's a national and global issue, and we must increase our ability to nonviolently resolve conflict before it escalates into violence. I'm counting on Senator _________________ to be a national leader - a global leader - and introduce this legislation to create a legacy of lasting peace.
I'm also calling [choose the appropriate other two Senators: Senator Kennedy from Massachusetts, Senator Hatch from Utah, Senator Sanders from Vermont] to ask that they join Senator ____________ [whomever you're speaking to] in introducing this important legislation into the Senate.[Insert other pertinent information if/as appropriate.]
Please give Senator ____________ my message and thanks for the good work he is doing on behalf of all of us.
Other pertinent points for Senator Kennedy:
- Senator Kennedy and Senator Hatch have a history of working together on important issues, from workers rights to AIDS to religious freedom. By joining together again to call for a U.S. Department of Peace, they can apply their wisdom, experience and true nonpartisan spirit to create a lasting legacy for generations to come.
- Senator Kennedy considers "Real Security in a Changing World" to be one of his top agenda items. A Department of Peace will provide the systems and structures needed to create just that.
- Regarding Iraq, Senator Kennedy's website states, "We need to give greater priority to rebuilding Iraq, and promoting reconciliation between Shiites and Sunnis. We need to recognize the importance of Iran in stabilizing Iraq. Additionally, we need to promote diplomacy between Iraq and her neighborhoods to reduce outside interference." A Department of Peace will help do all of that, and help generations to come avoid future "Iraqs."
Other pertinent points for Senator Hatch:
- Senator Hatch and Senator Kennedy have a history of working together on important issues, from workers rights to AIDS to religious freedom. By joining together again to call for a U.S. Department of Peace, they can apply their wisdom, experience and true nonpartisan spirit to create a lasting legacy for generations to come.
- Senator Hatch has historically supported violence prevention work, including the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) of 1994 (co-introduced with Senator Joe Biden, D-DE). A Department of Peace will enhance work in that area. * In a floor speech on February 7, 2007, Senator Hatch stated, "Those who prepared only for the military defeat of Saddam's forces committed such a profound error that it will be a lesson learned in the history books long after we are gone." We need not wait to apply the lessons of that mistake. A Department of Peace could have helped us prevent such an error, and will help us apply those lessons now and for generations to come.
Other pertinent points for Senator Sanders:
- When a member of the House of Representatives, Senator Sanders co-sponsored the legislation to establish a U.S. Department of Peace
- Senator Sanders has declared publicly that he'll co-sponsor the legislation when it introduced.
Thank you again for your courage, commitment andwillingness to take action FOR PEACE!
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