Legislation to Create a Department of Peace 2002 Action of Immediate Witness

Whereas on July 11, 2001, Congressman Dennis Kucinich introduced H.R. 2459, a bill to create a cabinet-level Department of Peace, which would embody a broad-based approach to peaceful, non-violent conflict resolution at both domestic and international levels;

Whereas the bill would establish a Secretary of Peace, who would report to the President of the United States;

Whereas the bill would require the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State to consult with the Secretary of Peace regarding non-violent means of conflict resolution prior to initiating any conflict between the United States and any other government or entity;

Whereas the bill is comprehensive in scope, establishing the following offices:

  • Office of Peace Education and Training
  • Office of Domestic Peace Activities
  • Office of International Peace Activities
  • Office of Technology for Peace
  • Office of Arms Control and Disarmament
  • Office of Peaceful Coexistence and Non-violent Conflict Resolution
  • Office of Human Rights and Economic Rights;
Whereas the bill would require the appropriation of one percent (1%) of the defense budget for funding the operations of the Department of Peace; and

Whereas the Department of Peace would serve to promote non-violence as an organizing principle in our society and help to create the conditions for a more peaceful world; Therefore be it resolved that the delegates to the 2002 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association pledge to

  • raise awareness by organizing public programs to occur on dates to be determined by the individual societies but prior to the vote on the bill in Congress; gather support for this legislation in our congregations, youth groups, and local communities by organizing public programs, contacting local media, and joining with local, national, and international organizations to create or support initiatives and programs regarding the passage of H.R. 2459;
  • urge Unitarian Universalist congregations and districts to establish a continuing dialogue with their representatives in Congress to support H.R. 2459 and maintain contact with the UUA Washington Office to secure its passage.
Be it further resolved that the President and Moderator of the Unitarian Universalist Association and the UUA Washington Office support the establishment of the Department of Peace through public witness and other means as they determine appropriate.