May 1 - May Day - Say It With Flowers - Department of Peace

Monday, May 1 - May Day. A Spring celebration of the changing of seasons. It is traditionally observed by the gifting or exchange of flowers.

The French word M'aidez means 'help me'.

If you haven't heard about the Department of Peace Campaign, you can read an overview here, or look at a copy of the actual proposed legislation in the House or in the Senate (PDF).

The Department of Peace legislation proposes to form a cabinet-level department in the executive branch of the Federal Government, headed by a Secretary of Peace and Nonviolence, that will be dedicated to peacemaking and the study of conditions that are conducive to both domestic and international peace.

Domestic Responsibilities:
(1) develop policies that address domestic violence, including spousal abuse, child abuse, and mistreatment of the elderly;
(2) create new policies and incorporate existing programs that reduce drug and alcohol abuse;
(3) develop new policies and incorporate existing policies regarding crime, punishment, and rehabilitation;
(4) develop policies to address violence against animals;
(5) analyze existing policies, employ successful, field-tested programs, and develop new approaches for dealing with the implements of violence, including gun-related violence and the overwhelming presence of handguns;
(6) develop new programs that relate to the societal challenges of school violence, gangs, racial or ethnic violence, violence against gays and lesbians, and police-community relations disputes;
(7) make policy recommendations to the Attorney General regarding civil rights and labor law;
(8) assist in the establishment and funding of community-based violence prevention programs, including violence prevention counseling and peer mediation in schools;
(9) counsel and advocate on behalf of women victimized by violence;
(10) provide for public education programs and counseling strategies concerning hate crimes;
(11) promote racial, religious, and ethnic tolerance;
(12) finance local community initiatives that can draw on neighborhood resources to create peace projects that facilitate the development of conflict resolution at a national level and thereby inform and inspire national policy; and
(13) provide ethical-based and value-based analyses to the Department of Defense.

International Responsibilities:
(1) advise the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State on all matters relating to national security, including the protection of human rights and the prevention of, amelioration of, and de-escalation of unarmed and armed international conflict;
(2) provide for the training of all United States personnel who administer postconflict reconstruction and demobilization in war-torn societies;
(3) sponsor country and regional conflict prevention and dispute resolution initiatives, create special task forces, and draw on local, regional, and national expertise to develop plans and programs for addressing the root sources of conflict in troubled areas;
(4) provide for exchanges between the United States and other nations of individuals who endeavor to develop domestic and international peace-based initiatives;
(5) encourage the development of international sister city programs, pairing United States cities with cities around the globe for artistic, cultural, economic, educational, and faith-based exchanges;
(6) administer the training of civilian peacekeepers who participate in multinational nonviolent police forces and support civilian police who participate in peacekeeping;
(7) jointly with the Secretary of the Treasury, strengthen peace enforcement through hiring and training monitors and investigators to help with the enforcement of international arms embargoes;
(8) facilitate the development of peace summits at which parties to a conflict may gather under carefully prepared conditions to promote nonviolent communication and mutually beneficial solutions;
(9) submit to the President recommendations for reductions in weapons of mass destruction, and make annual reports to the President on the sale of arms from the United States to other nations, with analysis of the impact of such sales on the defense of the United States and how such sales affect peace;
(10) in consultation with the Secretary of State, develop strategies for sustainability and management of the distribution of international funds; and
(11) advise the United States Ambassador to the United Nations on matters pertaining to the United Nations Security Council.

This year, I'm asking people to help me 'Say It With Flowers'. Please write to your Representatives in both the House and Senate to encourage them to support the Department of Peace Legislation On MONDAY, MAY 1, 2006, I will be delivering hand-written letters to my Representatives decorated with hand-drawn flowers, bearing the slogan "May Day: We need your help to pass the Department of Peace Legislation" across the top. I encourage others to join me in this effort.

Letters could be mailed, but should be mailed at least five business days in advance to insure they arrive on time. If you don't have time to hand-write a letter, please send an email.

You can find out who your Representatives are HERE.

You can find out who your Senators are HERE.

To find out if your Representatives already support the Department of Peace, please check the listing HERE. If they are already signed on, please be sure to write them and thank them for their continued support.