From DoP state coordinator Linda Henderson

The following was passed by vote of the whole, on the floor at the Michigan Democratic Convention February 24, 2007.

RESOLUTION SUPPORTING H.R. 808 CREATING A U.S. DEPARTMENT OF PEACE

WHEREAS, the Michigan Democratic Party believes that violence is not the solution to the problems facing the United States, both as home and abroad; and

WHEREAS, the Michigan Democratic Party believes that war and other forms of violence are not inevitable; and

WHEREAS, the Michigan Democratic Party believes that peaceful and harmonious relationships between all peoples is an achievable goal and

WHEREAS, the Michigan Democratic Party believes that achieving that goal requiers governmental support on a par with the Department of Defense and the Pentagon; and

WHEREAS, H.R. 808 would create a cabinet level Department of Peace to support the goal of peace; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Peace would carry out its mission by providing problem-solving options, providing practical and nonviolent solution to the problems of domestic and international conflict, develop policies and allocate resources to effectively reduce the levels of domestic and gang violence, child abuse, and various other forms of societal discord, and advise the President and Congress on the most sophisticated ideas and techniques regarding peace-creation among nations; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Peace legislation would provide much-needed assistance to efforts by city, county, and state governments in coordinating existing programs as well as develop new programs based on best practices nationally, teach violence prevention and mediation to America's school children, effectively treat and dismantle gang psychology, rehabilitate the prison population, build peace-making efforts among conflicting cultures both here and abroad, support our military with complementary approaches to peace-building, and create and administer a U.S. Peace Academy, acting as a sister organization to the U.S. Military Academy.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Michigan Democratic Party supports the paassage of H.R. 808 and calls upon all elected Michigan Democratic Party U.S. House and Senate members to support it.