By Nancy Merritt
California Co-state Coordinator

On October 18, 2008, the Mt. Diablo Peace and Justice Center (MDPJC) in Walnut Creek, CA held a town hall meeting with Minnesota Congressman Keith Ellison, who is a co-sponsor of the U.S. Department of Peace legislation (HR 808). The Northern California Department of Peace Campaign co-sponsored this event.

California Congressman George Miller (CA-7), another HR 808 co-sponsor, introduced Congressman Ellison, who came to California at least in part because of MDPJC ties to Minnesota (many Californians--and perhaps many Americans--are from at least one other place.)

Congressman Ellison said that no matter who is elected in November, it is our job to lead our leaders. When we asked how to bring more of our leaders on board in support of the Dept. of Peace legislation, he inquired about our Northern California Representatives.

Of the 22 U.S. Congressional districts in Northern California, seven Representatives currently co-sponsor HR 808. Ellison promised to talk with two who do not currently co-sponsor HR 808--House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (CA-8) and Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-11).

At the town hall meeting, we learned that Speaker Pelosi has instituted something completely new to Congress--weekly meetings with freshman Congress members. It is in part through these meetings that Congressman Ellison has developed relationships with Nancy Pelosi and Jerry McNerney.

Relationships, planting seeds, small world and mysterious ways.... Who knows what will change our efforts from being a great idea to a full-blown movement, an actualized U.S. Department of Peace and a culture of peace.

Thanks to MDPJC for creating this event and to Minnesota for lending us Keith Ellison for a few hours.

Keep on keepin' on...