Submitted by Patty Kuderer, national media liaison for The Peace Alliance. This media release was sent to media outlets throughout the U.S.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 17, 2007

Local Contact: Robert Weir, 269.978.6803. robtweir@aol.com
Michigan Contact: Linda Henderson, 517.282.1467. lindakhenderson@hotmail.com
National Contact: Patty Kuderer, 206.910.2422, press@thepeacealliance.org

KALAMAZOO ENDORSES DEPARTMENT OF PEACE

KALAMAZOO, Michigan. Kalamazoo is the latest Michigan city to endorse legislation to create a U.S. Department of Peace. At its meeting last Monday night, the Kalamazoo City Commission voted unanimously to support HR 808, the bill that would establish a cabinet-level Department of Peace. Kalamazoo's vote comes just two weeks after Lansing city officials adopted a similar resolution. A copy of the resolution will be sent to U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin, as well as to U.S. Representative Fred Upton, whose district includes Kalamazoo.

Robert Weir of Kalamazoo is the Department of Peace district leader in southwest Michigan. He complimented the Commission for exercising its constitutional right to voice concerns to federal legislators who make decision that impact Kalamazoo and its citizenry. "You are telling the federal government, `Please vote to make this Department of Peace and Nonviolence concept a reality. Please do what you can to reduce the tragedy and the cost of violence internationally and within our community,'" Weir said.

Weir also reminded Commissioners how much violence costs the United States. "The cost of violence within our country far exceeds war costs," he said. "First, there is the untold loss of lives, and grief and suffering. Then there's the financial cost. We spend about $300 billion – that's `billion' with a `b' – every year just on violence within our country."

A Department of Peace will address issues both at home and abroad. Internationally, the Department will research and analyze foreign policy and recommend to the President ways to address the root causes of war. The Department will also provide expert advice to the President when diffusing or dealing with international crises.

Domestically, the Department will research, propose and facilitate practical, field-tested solutions to reduce and prevent violence. It will provide additional financial and institutional heft to strengthen and complement our current approach to violence, focusing on prevention through multi-layered strategies, including increased funding for local programs already proven effective at reducing and preventing violence. A Peace Academy, on par with the Military Service Academies, would train civilian peacekeepers and the military in the latest nonviolent conflict resolution techniques and approaches.

The City of Kalamazoo is the 27th governmental unit in the United States to adopt a Department of Peace and Nonviolence resolution. Five of these are in Michigan: Hamtramck (the first city in the nation), Detroit, Lansing, and the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians. Resolutions are currently being considered by Grand Rapids and Manistee County.

The Peace Alliance

The Peace Alliance is a nonprofit, nonpartisan citizen activist organization leading the growing grassroots movement to create a U.S. Department of Peace and Nonviolence. It is active in all 50 states. Please visit The Peace Alliance website at www.thepeacealliance.org, for more information about the campaign to create a U.S. Department of Peace.