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Arizonans Knighted as Hospitallers: Many are Dept. of Peace Advocates
Aug 11, 2008
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Phoenix, Arizona (Aug. 11, 2008)—On July 12, 2008 Rev. Terri Mansfield, Dr. Rebecca Hardcastle, Dr. Lynne D. Kitei, and Rev. Annie Loyd were knighted into The Sovereign Medical Order of the Knights Hospitaller of Saint John of Jerusalem. The investiture was held in Brophy Chapel in Phoenix Arizona. His Excellency, the Honorable Professor Charles McWilliams, Grand Master of the Sovereign Medical Order of the Knights Hospitaller of St. John of Jerusalem, conducted the ceremony.
Other Arizona residents also knighted as Hospitallers on July 12 include.
Rev. Joyce Buekers, Dr. Gladys McGarey, Patricia & Stephen McCarty, Dr. Paul & Lydia Mohr, Dr. Nabil Dib, Lynne Ericksson, Susan French, Laurie Eberst, Marie Mohr-Grandstaff, Dr. Nicholas & Nancy Meyer, Santo D. Prato, Dr. Noel Carrasco, Dr. David Korn, Joel Lehr, Sr., Reggie & Katherine Vinson, Leonardo Zacchino,
Matteo Zacchino.
In addition, other Arizonans were knighted within the past year:
Sherry Lund (Dame of Grace and Ambassador), Bill Lund (Knight of Grace), Dr. Al Mitrano (Grand Prior of Arizona), Dr. Marines Pinto Mitrani, Dr. Mark Starr.
The Knights Hospitaller is collaborating on two projects in the greater Phoenix area. The Hospitallers are partnering with Grand Dame Sherry Lund, founder of The Celebration Centre for Integrated Healing in Gilbert, Arizona, across from Mercy Gilbert Medical Center. In the formative stages, the Celebration Center is the only campus of its kind to offer advanced natural and integrated treatments from all over the world. Celebration will provide a cutting-edge approach to diagnosing and treating patients using the Radical Loving Care philosophy. The Doctors at Celebration are from different disciplinary backgrounds and will work as a team. The Living Medicine Theater at Celebration will provide ongoing health education to the medical profession as well as to the community. Research at Celebration will bring the most current therapies to the patients. Whole body healing is the goal. Living Medicine is the mission.
The Hospitallers are also partnering with the Murphy School District/Phoenix Rotary 100 Education and Health Center. Murphy School District Superintendent Dr. Paul B Mohr was recently inducted into the Knights of the Hospitallers. The Hospitallers will support the center through its pool of volunteer naturopathic physicians throughout the world. Since the Health Center will operate under the auspices of the Hospitallers it will be on the international list of Hospitaller clinics and hospitals. Hospitaller Grand Dame Sherry Lund and the Victoria Lund Foundation have donated operational costs for the Health Center.
The Order originated in 1048 in Jerusalem. In the eleventh century they established hospitals for pilgrims and offered protection for their journey. The Order is responsible for establishing hospitals and hospices across Europe, South America, the Philippines, and the Middle East. The Knights settled in Malta where they remained for 250 years, until Napoleon took the island. Russian Emperor Paul I then took the Order of Knights under his protection and became the Grand Master in 1799.
Under Geneva Convention and International Humanitarian Law, the Cross of the Hospitallers is entitled to the same recognition by belligerents in war as the Red Cross. The Order maintains a marked degree of independence, and placed it amongst the first of the international organizations to be recognized by international law as an Ecclesiastical Order.
The development and expansion of the Order has influenced the course of world history. Its hospitals made dramatic contributions to medicine and hygiene such as the procedures for quarantine, separation of patients into single beds, conduct and rules for nursing, and education for doctors.
The current mission of the Knights Hospitaller is to establish, equip, staff and maintain humanitarian and medical treatment centers and hospitals. Current developing projects in North America, Ecuador, Venezuela, Peru, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Belize, Puerto Rico, Isle of Man, Hawaii, Israel, and Nepal. Our missions are primarily medical and promote the interests of health, safety and welfare.
The Sovereign Medical Order of the Knights Hospitaller formally legislated into Ecuadorian Law in 2007 as an ecclesiastical order for the benefit of the poor and needy. The Order has obtained property in Santa Domingo, Ecuador for the construction of its Hospital.
Contact information:
Dame Terri Mansfield, Executive Director, AZ Department of Peace Campaign http://www.azdopcampaign.org/
Dame Rebecca Hardcastle, Ph.D., Exoconsciousness educator, author http://www.exoconsciousness.com/
Dame Lynne D. Kitei, M.D., Executive Producer, author, The Phoenix Lights Project http://www.thephoenixlights.net/
Arizona Embrace a Smash Hit
January 13, 2008
On behalf of the AZDOP Campaign & the AZ Interfaith Movement,
Dr. Paul Eppinger and I..
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
The ARIZONA EMBRACE: PRAYERS OF PEACE, on Jan. 13, 2008, was successful and enlightening beyond our imaginations!
There were an estimated 500 women, men, children of all ages, races, religions, political parties, professions...who gathered in person and in peace for this historic event, from all over Arizona, from Dallas and Santa Fe and Germany and Japan. And countless numbers of you who joined us in spirit, locally and globally...into the cosmos.
The "chamber of commerce" weather was 69 degrees...blue skies & sunny. ;-)
- The beauty of our numbers, 500, for our ULTIMATE ARIZONA EMBRACE, was that instead of encircling the outer periphery of the State Capitol complex in Phoenix where we would not have seen each other, we encircled the inner Courtyard...the Heart of the Capitol...where we all stood witness to each other and were in full view of each other as we prayed our own Prayer of Peace for the Governor, our Legislature, all elected officials, all Arizonans, all humans, all life.
- Our prayer presenters included: Norbu Lama (Buddhist); Rabbi Robert Kravitz (Jewish); Imran Hafiz (Muslim); Rev. Kyra Baehr (Unity / Christian); Linda King (Mormon); Ken Jeffers (Baha'i); Rev. Dr. Mitzi Lynton (Church of Religious Science); and Uqualla (Spiritual Emissary Havasupai nation).
- Our political and civic presenters included: Janna Scott (Governor's Office); State Sen. John Huppenthal (Senate Majority Whip); State Reps. Mark Anderson & Kyrsten Sinema & Steve Gallardo; John Driggs (former Phoenix Mayor).
- Phoenix City Councilman Michael Johnson was scheduled to speak but was delayed in California with his son Anton who was home on leave from Iraq. Both gentlemen drove to our event straight from the airport, as we had just concluded, to give us their HUG. We told Anton our hearts and prayers were with him as he returns to Iraq.
- Thanks also to AZ State Rep. David Lujan, Phoenix Assistant Police Chief Gerald P. Richard II, Murphy School District Superintendent Dr. and Mrs. Paul Mohr, Phoenix Area Dances of Universal Peace, ONE PLANET Publisher Annie Loyd, Lynne Ericksson...and ALL of you for your support.
- Our music was presented by world famous Renee Morgan Brooks, and by Grammy winner Steve McCarty (who co-wrote "Fly like an Eagle" & who wrote "Wild Mountain Honey").
- Our staging and sound were orchestrated by the talented Romero Family's Finis Productions.
- Our PR was directed by the brilliant Colleen O'Donnell Pierce with wonderful assistance by Corey Farber. Our media coverage was quite extensive and impressive.
Thank you to all of the media who covered our ARIZONA EMBRACE.(See below)
GOVERNOR NAPOLITANO'S PROCLAMATION
Janet Napolitano
Governor
Office of the Governor
WITH SPECIAL RECOGNITION
Be it Known to all that I
Janet Napolitano,
Governor of the State of Arizona,
do hereby offer my sincere congratulations to
Arizona Embrace: Prayers of Peace
for
envisioning the year 2008 as one of peace and prosperity throughout the State of Arizona and urge all organizations and individuals in our state to honor and remember the principles of peace.
On behalf of the citizens of the State of Arizona, I commend this organization for their spirit of cooperation in recognizing our common humanity and coming together as a community.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand,
done at the Capitol in Phoenix on this
eighth day of January in the year
Two Thousand and Eight.
Janet Napolitano
GOVERNOR
MEDIA COVERAGE:
PRINT:
East Valley Tribune website: Go to the link and also scroll down to the left section to see our slide show
MSNBC website: our Arizona Embrace story from Jan. 14 East Valley Tribune on the MSNBC website.
Indybay website features an audio recording of our entire event from Sunday -- 1 hour and 12 minutes worth. The beginning of the recording features someone reading our entire press release. But after that it goes right to the opening speeches of our event.
Mary Jo Pitzl
Lawn Griffiths' Jan. 11, 2008 Blog
RADIO:
Charles Goyette interviewed Terri Mansfield, Jan. 10, 2008
Jeff Farias, Dennis Stout & John Henry, Rev. Walt Weider, and Sean Ryan
interviewed Dr. Paul Eppinger & Terri Mansfield, Jan. 11 & 12, 2008
TV:
Local TV coverage of the ARIZONA EMBRACE was carried by Channels 3 (AZFamily), 5 (CBS), 10 (FOX), 12 (NBC) and 15 (ABC)!
DONATIONS:
Many people have offered to help defray expenses for our ARIZONA EMBRACE.
AZDOP Campaign & AIFM thank you!
You can mail a check in ANY amount to
Arizona Interfaith Movement (501c3: tax-deductible)
2630 South 20th Place
Phoenix, AZ 85034
THE ARIZONA EMBRACE 2008: PRAYERS OF PEACE
Over 1,000 Arizonans to gather, circling state capitol in symbolic hug
Jan 13, 2008
Phoenix, Ariz. – The Arizona Interfaith Movement (AIFM) and the Arizona Department Of Peace Campaign (AZDOP) invite all Arizonans to gather for one hour from 2 to 3 p.m. on Jan. 13, 2008, on the eve of the opening of the second session of the 48th Arizona State Legislature at the Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix – to envision the year 2008 as one of peace, prosperity, bipartisanship, and cooperation for all elected officials, constituents, and all Arizonans. After greetings, prayers, songs, and music are heard, all gathered participants will form a circle around the entire Capitol building – to place our collective embrace around the state capitol as a symbolic group hug for Arizona, its leadership, and all Arizonans. Welcome activities begin at 1:30 p.m., and the event program commences at 2 p.m. on the House Of Representatives Lawn of the state capitol at 1700 W. Washington, Phoenix, AZ 85007.
The energy of this positive and uplifting action is intended to inspire our leaders and all our citizens to allow their highest selves to shine forth in 2008 and beyond, and to work together collaboratively to create the harmonious, prosperous and stable future that we all wish for our state and our communities.
Co-Hosts Terri Mansfield, Executive Director of the Arizona Dept. of Peace (AZDOP) Campaign and Dr. Paul Eppinger, Executive Director of the Arizona Interfaith Movement (AIFM) will lead the program. Guest speakers include Arizona State Representatives Mark Anderson and Kyrsten Sinema, and Jannah Scott from the Governor's Office. Music will be provided by First Institutional Baptist Church Choir, Renee Morgan Brooks, and Steve McCarty. Prayers will be conducted in the Jewish faith by Rabbi Robert Kravitz, in the Muslim faith by Imam Shamsid-Deen, and also in Sikh, Buddhist, Catholic, Baptist and Mormon faiths. Uqualla, a Havasupai spiritual leader, will perform a traditional tribal blessing.
“This event is an ideal representation of what our Arizona Department of Peace movement is all about – recognizing our common humanity and coming together to reach out in a caring spirit of cooperation to find solutions to community challenges, in an inclusive, pro-active way,” explains Terri Mansfield. “With this symbolic act, we are embracing our leadership here in Arizona, and everyone who lives here – and calling upon each person to be that positive change they want to see in the world."
“Like the Arizona Interfaith Movement, this event invites everyone to be a participant in helping to shape the world according to the highest values of each individual’s personal faith. At the heart of all of the Holy Scriptures of the world is the dictate to love one another and to practice the Golden Rule,” adds Dr. Eppinger.
The event will culminate in one big "hug" around the State Capitol Building from 1,000 people all at once, acting as one. This moving act of love and hope should make a great visual for media, especially as an aerial shot.
EVERYONE IS INVITED...PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD!
For more information on the hosting organizations, visit www.azdopcampaign.org and www.interfaitharizona.com.
* Message compiled by Colleen O'Donnell Pierce
* Flyer designed by Rad Masinelli
Our AZDOP 2-day Peace of the Pie events were fabulous
thanks for all your support!
May 10/11, 2007
On Thursday May 10, we arranged a unique opportunity, thanks to AZ State Rep. David Lujan, to serve "pieces of Peace Pie" in the Ice Cream Parlor of the historic State Capitol Rotunda in Phoenix.
Thanks to Dr. Mike for donating the Costco apple pies...they rock!
All 90 elected officials and all staff were invited.
Mitzi Lynton, Susanna and Mary Holt (Mary is Susannah's mom, visiting from France), Beverly Janowitz-Price, Lynne Ericksson, JulieAnna Miller, and I were the happy hostesses, and what an amazing morning it was.
The four bipartisan State Representatives David Lujan, Mark Anderson, Kyrsten Sinema and Steve Gallardo who sponsored our HCM2001 "memorial" this year (to send a postcard to Congress urging them to create the US Dept. of Peace) all attended.
AZDOP gratefully presented each of them with a desk top Peace Pole, with personal inscription thanking them for their support.
We talked with Democrat and Republican State Senators and Representatives, with support staff, with security guards, with lobbyists, with janitors. We chatted with people we had heard of but had not yet met.
It was a superb inclusive connecting opportunity to talk with so many state officials in such a historic & convivial environment, about the efficacy of the Department of Peace.
*********************************
On Friday May 11, our AZDOP team delivered an apple pie to each of our 8 Congressional offices. Susanna and Mary Holt delivered to Rep. Renzi in N. Arizona; Mollie Roberts' Tucson team delivered to Reps. Giffords and Grijalva (our only current sponsor).
And here in the Phoenix area, Lyle Skillen, Renee Morgan Brooks, Susan Seats, Lynne Ericksson, Mitzi Lynton, Beverly Janowitz-Price and I delivered pies to the office staff of Senators McCain & Kyl, Reps. Shadegg, Mitchell, Franks, Flake, & Pastor (raincheck).
The content of both sides of our dialogues has improved 1000%, due to many factors.
The office staff were most impressed with a new concept of arriving at the DOP budget which was suggested to us by Rep. Renzi in his Washington office in February: add up the federally funded budgets of 100 existing national programs which focus on de-escalation of violence; the total may well be $12 billion or more, and add 10% for overhead.
Many offices were very concerned about the increase of violent immigration language; we offered to help with mediation.
Rep. Franks' Glendale district hosts the Super Bowl in Feb. 2008: we talked about possible commercials paid for by Boeing & Budweiser & BMW, etc. which can show what peace looks like in Arizona: bringing gangs together to plant vegetable gardens in seniors' backyards;, closing domestic violence shelters due to strong community support and education; computers for every prison inmate so they can get their degree while serving time...and on and on.
The "elephant in the room" is local and international violence; our elected officials and paying closer attention to the straightforward message of the Dept. of Peace legislation.
This Reuters' article was printed May 30: "U.S. Ranks Low, Just Above Iran, on New Peace Index" which is further proof of how a U.S. Dept. of Peace can begin to turn these figures around.
http://www.reuters.com/article/email/idUSN3041722820070530
******************************
Finally, the June 2007 PHOENIX Magazine, has a brilliant article written by Jana Bommersbach, on Arizona's Maricopa County Jail ALPHA inmate drug rehab program.
The national recidivism rate for addicts is nearly 80%. Sheriff Joe Arpaio's Alpha Program sees just 17% come back "dirty".
In 11 years, the ALPHA Program, headed by our friend and former Phoenix Mayor Thelda Williams, has saved taxpayers $90 million. This is finally being copied in other states.
The inmates get intense counseling for 3 months in self-respect, accountability, sobriety, responsibility, and practical lessons on "life". They receive follow-up support from their counselors once they are released from jail.
AZDOP has a strong working relationship with the Maricopa County Jail system: Mitzi and I were invited to attend a female inmate ALPHA graduation last year; it was one of the most powerful and moving events we have ever witnessed.
If ALPHA can be done in Phoenix, it can be done everywhere...proving how peace is profitable, and how we utilize the existing tools that work to build communities of peace.
*******************************
We take many inclusive fabulous photos of our events, thanks mainly to Lynne Ericksson.
Here are a few from our May 10-11 Peace Pie events:
0662.jpg: Beverly Janowitz-Price, AZ State Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, AZ State Rep. Tom Prezelski, Terri Mansfield, Tracey Gardner, Mitzi Lynton, JulieAnna Miller, and Lois Jean Kasza
0673.jpg: JulieAnna Miller, AZ State Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, AZ State Rep. David Lujan, Terri Mansfield, AZ State Rep. Mark Anderson, Susanna Holt
0744.jpg: Beverly Janowitz Price, Terri Mansfield, Renee Morgan Brooks, seated: Bruce Raden of (Rep. John Shadegg's office), Susan Seats, Lyle Skillen, Susanna Holt, Mitzi Lynton, (seated Mary Holt)
0759.jpg: Beverly Janowitz Price, Terri Mansfield, Susanna Holt, Carlos Sierra of (Sen. John McCain's office), Susan Seats, Mary Holt, Renee Morgan Brooks, Mitzi Lynton
0769.jpg: Renee Morgan Brooks, Terri Mansfield, Mitzi Lynton, Susan Seats, Susanna Holt, Beverly Janowitz-Price, Amanda Daninger of ( Sen. Jon Kyl's office), Mary Holt, Lynne Ericksson
Phoenix Mayor
Declares April 8, 2007
AZDOP Campaign Day
CITY OF PHOENIX
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
A PROCLAMATION
FOURTH ANNUAL ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF PEACE CAMPAIGN DAY
WHEREAS, In 1792 Dr. Benjamin Rush, a Founding Father and signer of the Declaration of Independence, along with his peer Benjamin Banneker, envisioned a Department of Peace to balance the Department of War; and
WHEREAS, Presidents Dwight Eisenhower, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan have focused on various aspects of the Department of Peace, and
WHEREAS, over 100 bills have been introduced into Congress since the end of WWII to create a Department of Peace in the federal government, including the current bill HR808; and
WHEREAS, on July 11, 2001; April 8, 2003; Sept. 14, 2005; and Feb. 5, 2007 a bill to create a cabinet level Department of Peace has been introduced in the House of Representatives in Washington, D.C.; and
WHEREAS, 24 countries are each working to create their own Department of Peace, and as of 4-1-07, 20 U.S. City Councils have endorsed the Dept. of Peace legislation;
WHEREAS, the mission statement of the AZDOP Campaign reflects its goal as a solution-oriented grassroots organization which educates all Arizonans about the DOP legislation, and cultivates problem-solving dialogues for the common good; and
NOW, THEREFORE, I, PHIL GORDON, MAYOR of the City of Phoenix, Arizona do hereby proclaim April 8, 2007, as the FOURTH ANNUAL ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF PEACE CAMPAIGN DAY in Phoenix.
Given under my hand in these free United States in the City of Phoenix, on the twenty third day of April, two thousand seven, and to which I have caused the Seal of the City of Phoenix to be affixed and have made this proclamation public.
Phil Gordon
Mayor
Attest:
Mario Paniagua
City Clerk
Find Peace in April!
April 9, 2007:
Monthly DOP breakfast MTG
7th Heaven Eatery
7 am-9 am,
2501 E. Camelback Rd
602-954-5119
Phoenix 85016
Validated free parking
April 9, 2007:
Meet Your AZLEG Officialsat a fabulous dinner,
The Phoenix Country Club
5:30-8 pm
Monday, April 9, 2007
7th Street & Thomas * Phoenix, AZ
(Registration now closed)
April 20, 2007:
Environmental &
Humanitarian Issues
Phoenix Country Day School
4-7 pm
Contact: Melanie Sainz,
602-955-8200 X2286
www.peaceonearthday.info
April 21, 2007:
Youth Engaged in Service Projects
Volunteer Center of Maricopa County
All Day Event
Contact: Douglas Wilkey,
602-263-9736 x892
www.peaceonearthday.info
April 22, 2007
CELEBRATE AZDOP
CAMPAIGN'S 4TH
ANNIVERSARY!!!!
Peace on Earth Day Festival,
Steele Indian School Park, Phoenix
10am to 4 pm
Contact: Terri Mansfield,
602-885-9058
Contact: Faith Bencomo,
602-237-6872
www.peaceonearthday.info
April 23, 2007: (also April 30, May 7, May 14, May 21)
TAI CHI, HARP & INNER PEACE
Sponsored by Rev. Deanne Hodson (Beatitudes), Joyce Buekers (Harp Foundation) &
Terri Mansfield (AZDOP Campaign)
7-8 pm
The Church of the Beatitudes
555 West Glendale Ave,
Phoenix, 85021
www.beatitudeschurch.org
April 24, 2007
Monthly AZDOP Campaign evening meeting
7-8:30pm
The Casa / Franciscan Renewal Center /
5802 E. Lincoln Dr.
Scottsdale 85253
www.thecasa.org
"Brother Anthony" room, East of the main Chapel, just north of the dining hall.
Drive around and park on the East side of the campus; front doors are locked at 7pm.
February Peace in AZ Events
Feb. 9-10, 2007
Interfaith Educational Retreat
Two-day retreat offering the opportunity to expand understanding of others and their faiths. Featured speaker Terry Goddard , Arizona Attorney General.
This event will be held at the Franciscan Renewal Center , 5802 E. Lincoln Drive , Scottsdale .
Friday, February 9, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Dinner, speakers, and small group discussion.
Saturday, February 10, from 8 a.m. to a noon luncheon.
Additional speakers will include:
- State Legislator Mark Anderson
- Rev. Dr. Mitzi Lynton and Terri Mansfield from the AZ Department of Peace on Feb. 10
- Eldred and Carolyn Spain presenting a three-generation perspective on peace.
Dinner, breakfast, and lunch are included in a total cost of $45 for both days.
Call 602-277-2484 for additional information or to make reservations.
Feb. 10, 2007
FIDDLERS DREAM: "SINGING SONGS OF PEACE"
$10 fee to benefit AZDOP Campaign
7:30 pm
1702 E. Glendale Ave, PHX
602-997-9795 for more info.
Co-hosted by Chris Dove of The CASA & Nia Maxwell, President of the Board of the Quaker House, part of The Season for Nonviolence
FEB. 11: JAAZ (Jesuit Alumni of Arizona) & Dept. of Peace
4 p.m., @ Xavier College Prep, 4710 N. 5th St./ Phoenix
Terri Mansfield, a co-founder of the Arizona Dept. of Peace Campaign, will be returning from a week in Washington, where she will be meeting with all eight of Arizona's Congressmen and/or their staffs, seeking their votes to establish a U.S. Dept. of Peace -- with offices in every state to connect with citizens who seek nonviolent solutions to domestic and international conflicts. She intends to open the floor and make this event into a kind of Town Hall meeting, where everyone will be given a chance to voice their concerns about peace in Arizona. "We'd all like to live in peace, in more peaceful families, schools, communities," she says. "The question is, 'How can we make peace happen?' Where do we begin?"
Terri will speak at the Virginia Piper Theatre at Xavier College Prep, 4710 N.
Fifth Street. (Go west on Highland off North Seventh Street.) Free admission, but donations to JAAZ will be gratefully accepted. JAAZ850@aol.com , Robert Kaiser
FEB. 12, 2007
"STAND FOR PEACE" 2ND ANNUAL PRAYER FOR PEACE LUNCH & INTERFAITH GATHERING,
ASU East, Mesa, AZ
Keynote speaker:
Terri Mansfield
RSVP: by Friday, Feb. 2 to Lydia Dancel, ldancel@asu.edu; FREE, and everyone invited, especially students
Noon-1:30 pm, ASU at the Polytechnic Campus, Student Union Cooley Ballroom, MESA
More Info: Mike Mader 480-727-1215
FEB. 27, 2007
"WHAT EXACTLY IS THE DEPARTMENT OF PEACE?"
Sponsored by The Season for Nonviolence @ The CASA
Terri Mansfield, Executive Director, AZ Dept. of Peace Campaign
7 pm @ The Casa / 5802 E. Lincoln Dr., Scottsdale, AZ 85253, 480-948-7460, Chris Dove
FEB. 28, 2007:
Department of Peace Talk
Terri Mansfield
Sponsored by Arizona Enlightenment Center
10 am - 12 pm:
Unitarian Universalist Church
114th Ave. & Bell
Sun City, AZ
Contact Heather Clarke for more info @ 623-882-9454
January 25, 2007
AZ Legislature Urges National DOP Legislation
AZ State Rep. David Lujan has introduced the Dept. of Peace "Memorial" into the State House of Representatives for the second year in a row. It urges Congress in Washington, D.C. to enact the Dept. of Peace legislation.
Please read it. This is VERY IMPORTANT.
Read The Bill
World AIDS Day 2006
Reaching out across Arizona
Friday, Dec. 1 @ 5:30PM
This event is held annually to recognize the global crisis that is now affecting over 25 million people worldwide. In Arizona, the highest rate of increase in this deadly disease is among African American women.....
Come and hear the health experts share the data, the advocates share their views and hopefully some signs of hope for the future.
Special guests include:
- Kirk Baxter, founder of Body Positive
- Arizona Department of Health Services, Director Sue Gerard
- Homegrown gospel artist, Ramon Pratt;
- MiAsia’s Fashions
- Our very own jazz sensation, Doc Jones
- Special guest MC, Annie Loyd
- Music from La Campesina and Mega Radio Stations
A collaboration of a caring community living with, fighting for and supporting efforts to eliminate HIV/AIDS in this community and around the world. We celebrate those who were here before us and empower those who will guide the future.
5:30 PM to 8:30 PM at Steele Indian School Park
3rd Street and Indian School
September 21, 2007
Arizona Celebrates Peace
On Thursday, Sept. 21, 2006, millions of global citizens came together in towns, villages, cities, on oceans, lakes, rivers, in the air, and underground to affirm one truth: internal and external peace...it is a choice, and it begins within each one of us.
The healing energy of peace is spreading all over this beautiful planet Earth that we call HOME. Here in Arizona, the AZDOP Campaign co-hosted three events on Sept. 21 which brought hundreds of citizens from all walks of life together in peace.
At Sunrise, we gathered at the Franciscan Renewal Center (the Casa) in Paradise Valley, for Peace Prayers, Meditation and Labyrinth walk. Participants were welcomed by Chris Dove and Pat Julian of the Casa, as well as by Terri Mansfield, Co-founder of the AZDOP Campaign.
The following guests shared their faith prayers for peace:
- Pat Julian: Roman Catholic;
- Rev. Paul Eppinger: Christian;Imam Abdur-Rahim Shamsid Deen: Muslim;
- N.V. Shamasundar: Hindu;
- Johndennis Govert: Buddhist;
- Dr. Lynne Kitei: Jewish plus song "Somewhere Over the Rainbow".
All guests then walked in silent meditation to the Casa's Peace Pole. There Havasupai spiritual emmisary Uqualla, led us in prayer and blessing of the Peace Pole: "May Peace Prevail on Earth". Then Uqualla led us to the magnificent desert Labyrinth (designed by our friend Taffy Lanser) , where we all slowly walked our silent prayers for peace.
Mitzi Lynton's smile welcomed all of us. The neighbor's dog happily ran over and joined us! We closed by holding hands and forming a circle around the Labyrinth, as Lance played his exquisite flute and Uqualla's burning sage wafted a blessing over all of us, spreading peace and harmony to the 4 directions.
At Noon, Starshine Academy K-12 Charter School hosted a community peace event.
- Trish McCarty, CEO & founder and principal Jan Shoop, welcomed us to this amazing K-12 "UN recognized peace school".
- Steve McCarty sang his popular songs;
- Johndennis Govert shared a Buddhist blessing;
- Scott Lerman dedicated "The Sower" for Starshine;
- Bill, Sherry and Brad Lund dedicated "Victoria's Peace Path";
- Terri Mansfield re-dedicated the school's "Peace Pole";
- "Heather's Bench" was dedicated;
- Dr. Lynne Kitei again sang "Somewhere Over the Rainbow";
- Rev. Joyce Buekers announced that the Harp Foundation's newest CD is to be a fundraiser for the AZDOP Campaign & Starshine Academy & The FUSION.
We formed another huge circle, as 192 flags of all the member nations in the U.N. were waved by all the students, teachers and guests...we all said "may peace prevail on Earth" for each country...this was very moving and colorful, and exhilerating as we felt the peace and joy in our hearts connecting with all global citizens.
At Sunset, Trish McCarty and Terri Mansfield hosted the North American segment of the 9th Annual Peace Pals International Art Competition. The global Peace Pals event occurred this same day in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Judy Butzine, Deb Reynolds, Ann Nichols and Lesley McKinley did a fantastic job coordinating this evening's events.
We gathered at The Icehouse near downtown Phoenix. The final 15 entries of over 1000 from children ages 5-15 years old, from Canada, USA, and Mexico were on display for our distinguished judges to consider:
Thanks to Robert and Louise McCall, Steve McCarty, Robert Miley, Jim Gardner, Susanna Holt, Greg Ross, MaryLou Harrington who were there in person as well as Ed & Frank Mell, Beth Ames Swartz, Mark Switlik, Clarke Reidy, Rae Love, Lisa Law, Michel Sarda, Ken Ross, Joy Bancroft, & Ambassador Yehoram Ben-Shalom who were there in spirit.
Annie Loyd was our outstanding MC. Delicious Ethiopian food was provided by Cafe Lalibela, drumming and entertainment by Keith Johnson. The children's art work is fantastic, and will soon be added to Starshine Academy's website for you to see. Each piece of art says "May Peace Prevail on Earth".
Thank you to all who supported and participated in these three events on Sept. 21. Everyday we have a choice: to smile at a stranger, to let a driver merge into our lane, to give a compliment, to connect through dialogue, to practice listening, to speak truthfully, to embrace integrity, to see each other as fellow humans, to understand that peace on Earth spreads from our hearts...one heart at a time.
April 8, 2006
City of Phoenix DOP Day
CITY OF PHOENIX
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
A PROCLAMATION
THIRD ANNUAL ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF PEACE CAMPAIGN DAY
WHEREAS, on April 8, 2003 and Sept. 14, 2005, a bill to create a cabinet level Department of Peace was reintroduced for the second and third times in the House of Representatives in Washington, D.C.; and
WHEREAS, the DOP legislation holds peace as an organizing principle in society, domestically and internationally. Dr. Benjamin Rush, a Founding Father and signer of the Declaration of Independence, along with George Washington's peer, Benjamin Banneker, envisioned a Department of Peace to balance the Department of War; and
WHEREAS, President Dwight Eisenhower named Harold Stassen to be his Cabinet Level Advisor for Peace & Disarmament in March, 1953. Over 100 bills have been introduced into Congress since the end of WWII to create a Department of Peace in the federal government; and
WHEREAS, the mission statement of the AZDOP Campaign reflects its goal to educate all citizens, inclusively, about the efficacy and practicality of the DOP legislation, and to cultivate problem-solving dialogues for the common good, both domestically and internationally; and
WHEREAS, the AZDOP Campaign explains the Dept. of Peace legislation as the following:
It will provide much needed assistance for the efforts of city, county, and state governments in coordinating existing programs in their own communities, as well as programs newly developed and provided by the Department of Peace;
- It will teach violence prevention and mediation to America's school children;
- It will support our military with complementary approaches to ending violence;
- It will rehabilitate the prison population;
- It will effectively treat and eliminate gang psychology;
- It will build peace-making efforts among conflicting cultures both here and abroad;
- It will research, articulate, and facilitate nonviolent solutions to domestic and international conflict; and
WHEREAS, grassroots AZDOP Campaign volunteers serve as a "bridge" between community citizens and our elected officials as exemplified by a Feb. 22, 2006, experience with bipartisan Arizona State Representatives ( Reps. Anderson, Lujan, Konopknicki, Sinema) who introduced a "memorial" HCM 2013 / HCM 2020, to urge Congress to enact a U.S. Dept. of Peace & Nonviolence.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, PHIL GORDON, MAYOR of the City of Phoenix, Arizona do hereby proclaim April 8, 2006, as the THIRD ANNUAL ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF PEACE CAMPAIGN DAY in Phoenix.
Given under my hand in these free United States in the City of Phoenix, on the fourth day of April, two thousand six, and to which I have caused the Seal of the City of Phoenix to be affixed and have made this proclamation public.
Phil Gordon
Mayor
Feb 26, 2006
Tie Vote on AZ DOP Legislation
Our efforts at having the Arizona State Legislature pass a memorial urging our congressional delegates to create a Department of Peace and Nonviolence have been quite an adventure and education into the legislative process.
The vote Wednesday, February 22nd, was 4 to 4 on our HCM 2020 (formerly HCM 2013) bill in the K-12 Education committee. Since the vote was a tie, the bill did not pass.
Three Democrats and one Republican voted for the bill.
Four Republicans voted against the bill. Two Republicans were not present.
We believe one of those not present to be firmly opposed to the bill and one to have the strong potential to be a swing voter.
Interestingly, three of the Republicans who voted against the bill specifically requested permission from the Committee chairman to explain their votes. They were all respectful and their comments were in earnest and not derisive. While the next bill was being heard, Representative Farnsworth, who has a very conservative reputation, left his seat and came into the audience room to explain his position further to us. We were ecstatic that we received that level of feedback. I was reminded of the saying, First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win. If that saying is true, then we definitively reached stage three, at least in that committee. It was very hopeful and empowering.
Both primary sponsors, Rep. David Lujan (D) and Rep. Mark Anderson (R) of the bill were pleased with the reception of the bill in the committee and are looking forward to sponsoring the bill again next year.
Synopsis of process:
Representative David Lujan (D) met Terri and offers to sponsor the Department of Peace Legislation. He advocated bi-partisan sponsorship and approached Representative Mark Anderson (R), who declined. We met with Rep. Mark Anderson several more times and he explained that it is a volatile election year and while he supports the idea, it is a politically difficult bill for him to sponsor this year. We decided to proceed without the bi-partisan sponsorship and, unexpectedly, Rep. Anderson decided not only to become a primary sponsor, but provided great leadership in the process. Representatives Bill Konopinicki (R), and Krysten Sinema (D) signed on as co-sponsors.
Rep David Lujan submitted the bill and it was assigned to the Federal Mandate and Property Rights Committee. The Committee chairman refused to allow a hearing or bring the bill to vote. Rep Anderson had his staff do the research for a Strike Everything Amendment that allowed the bill to be heard in the K-12 Education Committee. The Strike Everything Amendment allowed our bills contents to replace the bill content of a bill that was assigned to the Education Committee. That bills content moved to another committee.
The evening before the hearing on the bill we were informed that Rep. Allen, one of the K-12 Education Committee members, added two amendments to the bill, which read as follows:
Whereas, the proposed federal legislation must be amended to require all employees of the new Department of Peace and Nonviolence to have at least ten years of United States military service experience.
Whereas, the proposed federal legislation must be amended to require the Department of Peace and Nonviolence to send at least three representatives of the Department into any potential military engagement with an enemy force to see if the enemy truly has peaceful intentions before any commitment of United States military personnel.
On the day of the hearing Trish Adams, Terri Mansfield, Steve McCarty, and Ann Marie Tate provided testimony. Representative Allen, the representative who wrote the amendments, did not attend the hearing and thus the amendments were not mentioned. The vote resulted in a 4-4 tie, which was one vote short of passing.
Lessons learned:
Know all the deadlines involved. At the front desk of the Capitol we were able to get some paperwork that told us all the deadlines relevant to the legislative process. Be careful to note that deadlines will show the end of the work week. However if your committee meets on Mondays, the real deadline for you will be 4 days earlier than the end of the work week.
Shell Bills / Strike Everything Amendments. The committee chairman of the committee our bill was originally assigned to refused to allow the bill a hearing. However, we were still able to get a hearing. A Strike Everything Amendment is a maneuver where the content of one bill replaces another bill. Apparently, every year there are a number of shell bills floating around the legislature for this purpose. While the bill we replaced, I do not believe was a shell bill, it seems likely that that bills contents moved to a shell bill. Ramifications being- It is beneficial to have a well-respected, well-connected sponsor. It may be worthwhile to lobby more broadly outside of your bills committee. Also, it may be useful to look at what committees might more favorably hear the bill, even if that is not where your bill is assigned.
Coordinate testimonies. I felt our individual testimonies were good, especially given that we had little notice that the bill would actually go to hearing. However, in hind-sight, we could have used a little tighter coordination to ensure strong coverage of all of our core points.
Prep work. It can be hard to get appointments with Representatives during the committee seasons. The further ahead of time you can make appointments and develop relationships, the better.
Dealing with amendments. We were taken by surprise when one of the committee members added two amendments to our bill the night before the hearing. Be aware that this is a possibility. While that Representative left the room during our bills hearing and the amendment did not come up, it seems this a good time to practice Non-Violent Communication skills. Try to discern what the underlying concern of the amendment is, connect to it if possible, and then offer solution or acknowledgement of the issue. If you dont want the amendment added to your bill, it still seems like a good strategy to connect with the underlying issue while not accepting the amendment as a solution to the underlying issue.
Register support-other legislatures/citizens. The K-12 Education Committee chairman told us that he would allow 4 speakers. To register to speak we had to sign up at a kiosk at the Capitol. At that point we realized that people can register their support/non-support of a bill without requesting to give testimony. Those peoples names and positions were read aloud for the committee members at the time of the bill hearing.
Negative responses. Representative Farnsworth and Nichols both talked about agreeing with the concept but having issue with some of the language. Particularly of interest was the issue of states rights. Representative Stump felt more appropriate structures for peace building should come from affinity groups such as religion, etc. These responses encourage us to attempt further dialogue. Also it highlights our weakness in communicating one of our core messages: the Department of Peace and Nonviolence is intended to be capacity building and resource-generating to non-profit organizations, faith-based organizations, community groups, and various levels of government in order to promote effective local initiatives.
Lawn events. We found out that it is free to hold events on either the Senate or House lawn. We just have to get into the reservation system. Normally, holding an event on the lawn requires having liability insurance. However, if sponsored by a Senator or Representative, the insurance requirement is waived. What a wonderful way to celebrate and also to publicize your organization and bill.
Other. We did not do any work with the press or press releases. If anyone has any recommendations in that arena or any other suggestions, wed love to hear them. Please send them to AnnMarie.Tate@AZDOPCampaign.org
Follow-up message of encouragement from Rep. David Lujan:
From: David Lujan
Sent: Thursday, February 23, 2006 8:33 AM
Terri,
(All of ) you did a great job yesterday! I am sorry the vote didn't turn out the way we hoped. What Mark said is very true - it often takes a couple of years to get some ideas through our legislature. I would not look at yesterday's vote as an end to our efforts on the postcard, but rather just the beginning. It was only the beginning of the discussion. In that regard, I think yesterday was very successful. You were able to have a 30 minute public discussion in the Arizona Legislature on the benefits of the Department of Peace. A lot more people, who previously were unaware of the Department of Peace, are now aware of it. In case you didn't know, it was not just the people in the hearing room who listen to those proceedings. The press room in the Senate with several reporters viewed that hearing as well as other legislators who can watch the hearing from their offices plus those in the public all across the state who watch our hearings on the Internet. So you did a great job of getting your message out.... That is pretty impressive that you got Rep. Farnsworth to actually come over and talk to you about it.
I plan on introducing the bill again next year and I am very optimistic that we will get it through. We only needed one more vote this time. I have to think that if Rep. O'Halleran had been in the room he would have voted for it.
I really appreciate all of your efforts and time you spent meeting with legislators and discussing the bill with them before the committee hearing. It was time well spent and it will pay dividends down the road. Thank you!
David,
(Arizona State Representative David Lujan-D)
Jan 25, 2006
DOP Bill Introduced to AZ State Legislature
It is with great joy and gratitude that we inform you of the following proactive and inclusive action by 4 of our Arizona State legislators. On Jan. 25, 2006, a concurrent memorial was introduced in a bipartisan manner by State Representatives David Lujan (D), Mark Anderson (R), Bill Konopknicki (R), and Krysten Sinema (D).
This bill is number HCM 2013, to "urge the Congress of the United States to enact a United States Department of Peace & Nonviolence".
There is much work to do here with the other AZ State legislators, and we will keep you posted. We welcome your ideas, suggestions, and positive input.
Please thank Reps. Anderson, Lujan, Konopknicki & Sinema for this empowering action:
August 9, 2005
Peace Walk Concludes at Trinity Test Site
...and so the literal walking journey to "Full Circle": The Epic Return to Trinity... is now complete.
The documentary will debut globally in the next several months. The negotiations, the top Pentagon security clearances, the arrangements, the logistics, the documentation, the civic connections...were all perfect.
The Monks, Matt Taylor, Cindy McLure, the support crew, the directors and organizers, the family of citizens, the military...have all returned to their daily lives. And yet the miracle, the grace of the August 9 event will be in our hearts forever.
On August 8, the President signed the Energy Bill in Albuquerque, New Mexico. On August 9, the 60 year old Atomic Flame was extinguished at Trinity, New Mexico.
As we prepared for our 2 hour bus ride from Albuquerque to Trinity Test Site, we noticed the storm clouds building all over the area. The military had warned Matt Taylor and the other organizers that if lightning were active at Trinity, we would not be allowed to get off the buses for our own safety.
A small group of us friends held an impromptu prayer/song service in the hotel before we departed.
Trish, Ann Marie, Maren, Beverly and I each offered our simple prayer for the highest good of the Trinity ceremony in a few hours. Steve McCarty prayed, and then played his guitar for us and we all sang "Fly Like An Eagle" which he co-wrote years ago with Steve Miller.
As the buses made their way south to Trinity, we were blessed to have wonderful people on our bus, including Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul, and Mary. Peter played his guitar for us and we all sang many songs with him, including "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?"
Shortly before arriving at Trinity, the dark skies opened up and rain and lightning were everywhere. As our buses literally pulled up to the gate to Trinity, the rain and lightning stopped, the clouds lifted up into one protective dome overhead, a herd of antelope appeared, and we all disembarked from the buses...in silence.
The Monks led the slow and solemn walk, followed by visiting Roshi, dignitaries, and all of us who had been invited to this life-changing event. A few of the military were there, as were several national and international news media.
We all walked up to our designated spots, and the Monks began their ceremony in front of the obelisk-shaped Trinity stone marker. Each dignitary held the Atomic Flame one last time.
They represented the "down winders" who had been adversely affected by I-131 radiation from the Nevada atomic bomb testing in the 1950s and 60s; the World Peace Music Awards; the 1985 Nobel Peace Prize winners: International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War.
The Monks placed a parchment on the ground; on the parchment they had written a prayer for peace. Over that they placed origami paper cranes which had been folded by children from Arizona and New Mexico. They rolled up the papers, tied them, and placed them over a short metal stake which was anchored in the earth.
The Monks each lit their torches to the Atomic Flame, and together they transferred the Flame to the papers. As the fire burned down, the prayers went up...to bless all Life, to release fear, and to embrace peace.
Rev. Oto gathered the ashes and the earth, and placed this into 4 boxes. One box will go to nearby Alamagordo, one box will go to Hiroshima, one box will go to Nagasaki, and the 4th one will be divided up into 8 smaller boxes: one for each of the leaders of the 8 countries who now are in possession of nuclear weapons.
At this same time, Steven Seagal and his colleagues were in Russia negotiating the purchase of the first surplus nuclear weapon to be melted down into bracelets to be sold to raise more money to eventually buy all the surplus nuclear weapons on Earth.
Only 25 million dollars will buy the entire global inventory. Already, 1.3 million dollars have been pledged.
All of us who participated in and witnessed this ceremony, lined up for a group photo, and silently walked back to our buses.
As the buses made their way back to Albuquerque, we all reflected on the miracle of what had just occurred. A 60 year cycle of the "old" had just ended, and a 60 year cycle of the "new" was just beginning. My niece Lindsay and her boyfriend, Nick, both college students in Albuquerque, represented our youth working for peace on Earth.
Thank you from all of our hearts to all of your hearts for holding the clarity, strength, courage, joy and peace for this "Full Circle: The Epic Return to Trinity" to become a reality.
Please visit www.GNDfund.org to read more, and to view photos of this historic event.
We gave all the Monks, Matt, Cindy, and support crew, Department of Peace pins and baby Peace Poles!
July 29, 2005
Monks on Peace Walk Joined by AZDOP
The sweltering heat blazed down on a group of monks and their suporters during their long jouney through Arizona. On July 29, three Zen Monks from Japan stopped in the Town of Paradise Valley while on an important mission for world peace. Their goal was to raise money to disarm nuclear missiles across the globe.
Terri Mansfield and other Department of Peace members joined the monks for parts of their walk in Arizona and joined them again at the Trinity nuclear test site in New Mexico for the extinguishing of the flame.
Read the full story as it was reported in the Paradise Valley Independent newspaper.
April 10, 2005
AZDOP Celebrates 2 Years of its Mission to Spread Peace
 
New River Peace Pole Terri Mansfield, Trish Adams, Bernie Molaskey, Kit Carson
On April 10, 2005, the Arizona Department of Peace Campaign (AZDOP) celebrated 2 years of its mission to represent the national grassroots DOP Campaign by networking with and educating inclusively with all citizens and organizations to create peace and harmony within our communities. Since July 2001 there has been a bill in Congress to create a cabinet level Department of Peace in the federal government. Www.azdopcampaign.orgwww.thepeacealliance.org
This April 10 celebration was enhanced by the dedication of a magnificent 14 foot peace pole designed by New River artist Kit Carson and built and erected by land owner Bernie Molaskey and friends. A peace pole acts as a silent global prayer for peace. The prayer "May Peace Prevail on Earth" comes in over 300 different languages. Www.peacepoles.comWww.worldpeace.org
The languages for the prayer on this peace pole are English, Spanish, phonetic Navajo, and a combination of animal tracks and petroglyphs. (Representing the current inhabitants and ancient culture of the desert foothills that surround the pole.)
This peace pole is constructed of recycled material. The pole has a "mail slot" so that visitors can deposit prayers, dreams, and wishes inside the pole. Bernie invites all those who wish to visit the peace pole to arrange an appointment through the website www.peacetoearth.org The New River location of the Peace Pole is on Bernie's Song Dog Ranch near a historic marker from 1917 at the intersection of his private land, Arizona State Trust Land, and the Tonto National Forest.
Guest speakers included:
- Terri Mansfield, State Director and Co-founder of the Arizona Dept. Of Peace Campaign,
- Bernie Molaskey, host of the celebration, and
- Kit Carson, Peace Pole designer.
A collaborative proclamation from the City of Phoenix and Mayor Phil Gordon was read.
The proclamation states that "April 8, 2005, is Arizona Department of Peace Campaign Day in Phoenix".
After the 60 guests enjoyed cake and ice cream, a perfect celebration ended with the viewing of the perfect desert sunset.
April 8, 2005
Mayor Declares Phoenix AZDOP Campaign Day
The AZDOP Campaign formally asked the City of Phoenix and Mayor Phil Gordon's Office, to issue a collaborative proclamation on April 8, 2005, recognizing the 2nd anniversary of the creation of the AZDOP Campaign. The Mayor's Office gave us the official proclamation yesterday. (April 8, 2005) We have the wording on the proclamation below for you to read.
Thank you for all of your efforts these past 2 years to network with and to educate citizens about the efficacy of a cabinet level Department of Peace in the federal government. The DOP will empower men, women and children to unite in our communities to create the peaceful solutions to disruptive challenges in all aspects of society.
View Scanned Copy of the Proclamation
CITY OF PHOENIX
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
A PROCLAMATION
ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF PEACE CAMPAIGN DAY
WHEREAS on April 8, 2003, a bill to create a cabinet level Department of Peace (DOP) at the federal level, was reintroduced in the House of Representatives in Washington, D.C.; and
WHEREAS, the DOP legislation holds peace as an organizing principle in society, domestically and internationally. Dr. Benjamin Rush, a Founding Father and signer of the Declaration of Independence, along with George Washington's peer, Benjamin Banneker, envisioned a Department of Peace to balance the Department of War. President Eisenhower named Harold Stassen to be his Cabinet Level Advisor for Peace & Disarmament in March, 1953. Over 100 bills have been introduced into Congress since the end of WW II to create a Department of Peace in the federal government; and
WHEREAS, the mission statement of the AZDOP Campaign reflects the goal to network with and to educate all citizens, inclusively, about the efficacy and practicality of the DOP legislation, and to empower citizens to unite in the common goal of creating the peaceful solutions to the violent challenges that impede our realization of a harmonious society.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, PHIL GORDON, MAYOR of the City of Phoenix, Arizona, do hereby proclaim April 8, 2005, as Arizona Department of Peace Campaign Day in Phoenix.
Given under my hand in these free United States in the City of Phoenix, on the eighth day of April two thousand five, and to which I have caused the Seal of the City of Phoenix to be affixed and have made this proclamation public.
Phil Gordon, Mayor
March 7, 2005
Monarchid Studio AZDOP Meeting
Our March 7 AZDOP meeting was held at Monorchid Studio / 214 E. Roosevelt, Phoenix Our gracious hostess, Lara Taubman, is the curator for the extraordinary international art exhibit called "A Warlike People" which asks the question "...are we ready as a human species to leave war behind and to evolve into peace ?" Joan Baron is one of the featured artists, and she explained the premise behind several artists' work. Joan has a wonderful art display of her own, creative and touching American flag of words and handprints: the center hand print is holding a mini peace pole, a gift to Joan from Terri. 2 of our guests were a mediator and his collegiate daughter from Chicago who were impressed to know that a DOP Campaign is a growing grass movement in the US.
Februay 5, 2005
Peace Pole Dedication Update
On Feb. 5, 2005, the City of Phoenix and the City of Baghdad / US Embassy were united through the dedication of 2 Peace Poles. At 8:30am in Phoenix, citizens from all over Arizona and many from out of state, joined us as we formed a huge circle outside the Blue Planet Village / Integrated Health & Fitness EXPO at PHX Civic Plaza.
- Terri Mansfield and Shirley Catanzaro, as Arizona Coordinators, represented the DOP Campaign as we welcomed all friends near and far to this extraordinary event of peace. *Renee Morgan Brooks sang her beautiful songs of peace.
- Joyce Buekers played her soothing and heavenly harp. *Peace prayers were offered by Rev. Paul Eppinger (Christian), Imam Abdur-Rahim Shamsid-Deen (Muslim), Guru Roop Kaur Khalsa (Sikh), & Shirley Catanzaro (Madonna Ministry).
- Ed Wolf placed burning sage in an abalone shell at the base of the Peace Pole.
- Colleen O'Donnell explained the collaboration between her Hard Rock Cafe Ambassador Club & Kate and David at their Peace Pole Makers company in donating the Peace Pole to the US Embassy in Baghdad.
- Trish Adams explained how our Phoenix friend Lyle agreed to take the Peace Pole with him on Jan. 20 when he returned to Baghdad where he works in the US Embassy.
- Rommy Banaszczyk emphasized the role of the children for peace through her UN Childrens' Association.
- Paula Christine explained how her World Peace Prayer Society (NY) and its sister organization the Goi Peace Foundation (Japan) donated the Peace Pole to the AZ Dept. of Peace Campaign to give to the City of Phoenix. Paula shared with us the significance of over 250,000 Peace Poles all over the Earth. We all prayed 3 times: "May Peace Prevail on Earth".
- Everyone wrote their messages of peace which will be placed inside the hollow aluminum Phoenix Peace Pole when it is officially given to Mayor Phil Gordon.
Meanwhile, we received a call from Lyle in Baghdad (10 hours ahead of Phoenix) later that morning, thathe and his friends and peers had successfully and peacefully completed their dedication ceremony of the Baghdad Peace Pole to the US Embassy, the City of Baghdad, and all of Iraq. Many Phoenix children and adults wrote peace prayers which Lyle took with him to Baghdad. They will be placed inside that Peace Pole as well.
It is significant that the Phoenix event received much press coverage: Local channels 3 (independent, CNN afiliate), 5 (CBS), 10 (FOX), & 15 (ABC) ran Peace Pole stories on both Feb. 4 & 5 evening news broadcasts.
THANK YOU to everyone who participated in person and in spirit, including Department of Peace advocates everywhere, World Peace Prayer Society, Goi Peace Foundation, Peace Pole Makers USA, Hard Rock Cafe Ambassador Clubs,
Blue Planet Village~Integrated Health & Fitness EXPO, StarShine Academy, City of Phoenix, US Embassy~Baghdad, AZ Interfaith Movement, Harp Consortium, UN Childrens' Assn.
February 5, 2005
PEACE POLE Dedication Ceremony
sponsored by
Arizona Department of Peace Campaign:
Feb. 5, 8:30-9:15 am, Phoenix Civic Plaza
You are invited to Phoenix, AZ, for a profound Peace Pole Dedication Ceremony, that will be simulcast from Baghdad, Iraq, and the Phoenix Civic Plaza in Phoenix, AZ on February 5, 2005. This dedication with the Arizona Department of Peace Campaign is part of the 3 day Expo Experience held in Phoenix, February 4-6, presented by Blue Planet Village and the Integrated Health & Fitness Expo.
The Peace Pole Dedication Ceremony will explain the history of the Peace Poles on Earth, their significance in global healing, and the peaceful yet empowering impact they have on every community. Spiritual leaders will offer peace prayers, children will sing peace songs, and all present will state "May Peace Prevail on Earth" three times, as we connect with Lyle Skillen (retired Navy SEAL) and the Peace Pole ceremony in the US Embassy in Baghdad at the same time. (11 hour time difference.)
This ceremony will create a Bridge of Peace from Arizona to Iraq and beyond. We hope to have CNN, local Channel 3-KTVK News, and other media coverage.
The Phoenix Peace Pole was donated by the World Peace Prayer Society to the AZ Dept. of Peace Campaign, who in turn will dedicate it to the city of Phoenix.The Baghdad / US Embassy Peace Pole was donated by the Peace Pole Makers (Michigan) and the Phoenix Hard Rock Cafe Ambassadors' Club.
Peace Poles are handcrafted global symbols for peace, reminding us to BE PEACE. They spread the message, "May Peace Prevail on Earth." Each Peace Pole is eight feet tall, made of British Columbia red cedar, and is either 4, 6, or 8 sided. A new design is made of hollow aluminum so peace prayers may be inserted before the dedication ceremony. There are over 300 languages from which to choose the prayer, "May Peace Prevail on Earth" and those prayers are then placed on the surface of each side of the Peace Pole. There are over 250,000 Peace Poles in over 180 countries on Earth.
Some notable locations of a Peace Pole include: The Pentagon, the OPEC, World Trade Organization (WTO), and International Monetary Fund (IMF) world headquarters, the North Pole, the Giza pyramids in Egypt, Findhorn in Scotland, the Jordan River in Israel, The Hague in the Netherlands, Confucious' burial site in Taiwan, Gorky Park in Moscow, Russia, Robben Island in South Africa, and the Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima.
The Dalai Lama, Mother Teresa, President Jimmy Carter, John Denver, and Pope John Paul II have all dedicated Peace Poles. One Peace Pole for each participating country, was donated to Salt Lake City by The World Peace Prayer Society in honor of the 2002 Winter Olympics. Peace Poles are in churches, schools, parks, public buildings, and private homes.
The Peace Pole Project is a part of a non-profit, nonsectarian, organization based in New York City called The World Peace Prayer Society (WPPS). WPPS was founded by Masahisa Goi in 1955 in Japan. Mr. Goi, a poet, writer and singer who dedicated his life to humanity, said, "We are facing the age where the politics of the world must be carried out by each individual.
Every individual who repeats the words 'May Peace Prevail on Earth' thus becomes a great force for realizing peace in the world." Mr Goi wrote more than 50 books on spiritual development, and is respected in Japan as a great master in his field. In 1990, the WPPS was accepted as an NGO (non-government organization) in affiliation with the Department of Public Information of the United Nations. Their sister organization, Goi Peace Foundation, is in Japan.
The Arizona Department of Peace Campaign (AZDOP) is a nonprofit affiliate of the national nonprofit DOP Campaign, based in Michigan. "We the People" have an opportunity to help create a new cabinet level Department of Peace in Washington, D.C. The Secretary of Peace will oversee mediation and conflict resolution , domestically and internationally, working with community experts in the US, and with State Department and the Pentagon representatives internationally.
Ohio Congressional Representative Dennis Kucinich has introduced legislation twice, July 11, 2001 and April 8, 2003 to create the Department of Peace. The bill, currently HR 1673, will be reintroduced for the third time in April 2005.
Peace is more than the absence of war. It is the harmony created by living together in hope, respect, prosperity, and happiness as a global community. The Department of Peace is the Cabinet level "champion" for peace and nonviolence in our society, domestically, internationally and in space. International author, speaker, and minister Marianne Williamson hosted three national conferences in 2003-2004 to launch the grassroots Department of Peace Campaign.
Walter Cronkite stated Aug. 12, 2004, in an article for the Denver Post titled, "Why Not a Department of Peace?", "... There is an urgency to its (DOP legislation) adoption. In this dangerous world, where the strength of the United States is needed to keep the peace, we need a visible manifestation of our intention to play that role, without the arrogance that cost us friends and allies among the nations and peoples of the world."
We can all be the peace that we seek on Earth, one person at a time.
*For additional Department of Peace information, send an email to information@azdopcampaign.org Arizona Department of Peace Campaign, www.azdopcampaign.org Terri Mansfield and Shirley Catanazaro (602)-885-9058 / (480)-203-8303 *Integrated Health & Fitness Expo February 4-6, 2005 Phoenix Civic Plaza www.azexpo.com 480.946.6002
Sandy Rogers Cell 480.232.5650 sandy@azexpo.com
*Blue Planet Village www.blueplanetvillage.com
*Department of Peace Campaign, www.dopcampaign.org (586)-754-8105
*Peace Pole Makers USA www.peacepoles.com (231)334-4567
*World Peace Prayer Society (WPPS) www.worldpeace.org
(845)-877-6093 www.goipeace.or.jp/english/
January 3, 2005
January DOP Party
Our January AZDOP Campaign "party" was super last night at StarShine Academy in Phoenix. Thanks to Trish Adams, Jan Shoop and Ann Nichols for their generous use of the school cafeteria.Despite the rain, we had 30 or so wonderful men and women present to share their experiences of "being the Department of Peace" in action. We handed out postcards for people to sign and send to their congressional reps, urging them to sponsor the DOP legislation (HR1673). We invited everyone to keep up the great work of sharing the DOP background with their friends, familiy, neighbors....strangers!
Our guest speakers included:
- Robert Miley, who talked about his mission and classes on helping children and adults to release their fears through art; he also explained his powerful 24 foot sculpture which is taking shape in Phoenix near Central & Roosevelt www.releasethefear.org
- Daniel Hirtz led is in a relaxing yet invigorating breathing technique which he utilizes in his CD project, www.breatherforpeace.org* John English stopped by for a few minutes to explain the concept behind his blockbuster book, "The Shift" about a new American political party created by "we the people", www.dtpublications.com
We saw a brief but sweet video on Fr. Jorge's Christmas peace-filled "nacamiento" or nativity, in his Tempe church, the Shrine of Holy Wisdom.
Rick, Angie, RV and Cris Romero gave an excellent intro to their award winning documentary "A Critical Mass" for those who have not yet seen it, and we all enjoyed watching it while munching on pretzels and popcorn.
We talked about participating in several upcoming events:
- Jan. 17 MLK Jr. march and festival near downtown Phoenix;
- Feb. 4-6 Integrative Health & Fitness Expo at the Phoenix Civic Center, www.azexpo.com including our double Peace Pole dedications in Phoenix and Baghdad US Embassy hosted by the AZDOP Campaign.
- Feb. 7 AZDOP Campaign monthly meeting; guest speaker: Sheriff Joe Arpaio (rescheduled); learn more about the jails' 65 social programs; find out why Sheriff Joe supports the proposed DOP. This is a perfect example of "inclusion".
- April 2005: reintroduction of the DOP legislation for the third time in Congress.Think about joining us as we return to Washington, D.C. to be a part of this historical legislative process...it is empowering...and fun!
Thanks to all of you who came last night including: Stu Starky, Colleen, Lynne, Dr. Ruth, Fr. Jorge, Ingrid, Daniel's brother Peter from Austria (!), Mary, Victorya, Sherry V, Briana (from Lake Havasu!), Joanne, Marge, Crystal...I apologize for not remembering everyone's names...but I see your smiling faces!
Hugs of peace...Terri & Shirley
November 29, 2004
Did you Miss the Party?
There were 40 people at our Nov. 29 AZDOP meeting last...including many new DOP advocates.
In addition to our holiday cookies, Angie Romero made popcorn so it was a festive evening at StarShine Academy Charter School in Phoenix. I was the MC. Trish Adams welcomed everyone to her amazing charter school...the Dept. of Peace in action. Shirley Catanzaro opened with a meditation for peace. Joyce Buekers played her harp. Susan Seats reminded the group of how the DOP Campaign began for us Arizonans, last year in April 2003, in Washington, D.C. Each person introduced themselves and shared their particular path to peace.
Our guest speakers were:
- Deborah Miller, our County Jail's high school principal, told the group some of the goals of her teachers and inmate/students. There are a total of 9000 jail inmates here for a system designed for 4500. She is always looking for volunteer mentors to assist with the inmates' rehabilitation.
- Naomi & TC Potter mentor women who are ex-addicts and prisoners at their Sand Dollar Discovery House & thrift store in west Phoenix ...several of the ladies shared their stories from pain to empowerment.
- Daniel Hirtz, Lynne Ericksson, Rocky McKinney (and I) shared their thoughts of the recent national DOP conference in Berkeley, attended by hundreds of activists. *Kell Kearns shared with us a 20 minute segment of his new documentary, "The Consciousness of the Christ", about our new Humanity, featuring his interviews with Dr. David Hawkins, Marianne Williamson, Fr. John Dear, Barbara Marx Hubbard.
- Rick Romero showed a clip from his award winning "A Critical Mass" documentary showing "peace in action".
It was a fabulous evening, and we will host a similar meeting on Jan. 3, and then every first Monday of the month, showing supporters "the DOP in action" in our communities.
November 11, 2004
National Depertment of Peace Conference
Marianne, Lynn, Matthew and Debbie and many volunteers did an outstanding job putting this conference together. And our very own Lynne Ericksson was the official photographer! Arizona was well represented at the DOP Conference in Berkeley. Joining Terri were Lynne Ericksson, Daniel and Ingrid Hirtz, Karen Miller & Eric Dixon, Jeremy & Julie & children Gabriela and Jay Miller, Chris Powers, Rocky McKinney. The Conference was held at the progressive Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School in Berkeley.
Nov. 5, Friday night, over 700 people heard Marianne Williamson and Dennis Kucinich speak. The air was electric. The election results were a hot topic, and Marianne and Dennis offered their unique brands of passionate and inspiring words. Fabulous music was provided by Keb' Mo'.
Nov. 6, Saturday was a high energy day.Lynne and Terri and our colleagues Marjorie Zamora & Margo Dumelle (IL) and Amalie Sinclair (CA) were invited to attend a fundraising breakfast for Dennis Kucinich at the organic and delicious Greens Restaurant at the old Fort Mason in San Francisco. We met Dot Maver, who headed Dennis' presidential campaign, and also Patricia Ellsberg (Barbara Marx Hubbard's sister), whose husband Daniel was responsible for the Pentagon Papers. We had a brief minute with Dennis to invite him to Phoenix, and Terri was able to tell the 150 or so guests about "A Critical Mass" in answer to a man's question "how can one person make a difference?" Back at the conference, Dr. Michael Nagler, founder of Berkeley's Peace and Justice program, talked about nonviolence, http://www.wie.org/unbound/media.asp?id=17 and then people broke into small groups for discussion. Terri had a 1/2 hour private chat with Lynn McMullen who sends her love to the AZDOP activists! During lunch when people ate their snacks in the auditorium, we saw our award winning documentary, "A Critical Mass" and everyone was very impressed. I was beaming like a proud mom. For the rest of the day Marianne quoted April's famous line, "from now on, I'm going to have...an opinion!" Marianne and Lynne talked about democracy, lobbying basics, citizen activism, and funding the vision of the DOP Campaign. Music throughout the day was provided by Jenn August, Kokomon Clottey & Aeeshah Ababio-Clottey, and Heather Lauren. The evening keynote speakers were Rabbi Michael Lerner, www.tikkun.org and VanJones www.ellabakercenter.org.
An amazing event occurred right after the showing of "A Critical Mass". Our friend Karen from Sedona and her family had gone outside to get some fresh air, when Karen tripped going down the step, and fell. Karen is a powerful healer, but she was in great pain. Her son Jeremy and daughter in law Julie contacted me, and I asked Matthew to ask for a doctor or nurse in the audience. Several health professionals came right out, and after assessing Karen's pain, an ambulance was called. Dot and Marianne and Karen's family and I surrounded her with love and prayers and healing until the paramedics arrived. The word from her partner Eric that evening was that her left leg was broken in 3 places, and surgery plus pin placement would probably be required the next day with at least 1 week convalescence in the Berkeley hospital. I asked Dot if we could all say a prayer that evening for Karen's healing, and Pat led several hundred of us in a beautiful prayer. The baskets were passed, and over $1400 was donated to Karen's hospital bill...what generosity from the heart.
Sunday, Nov. 7, Karen's family reported that the orthopedic surgeon had studied Karen's x-rays for quite a while, and finally said to Karen and her family "I'm not sure why I am saying this, but it appears that you heal differently than most people, so I'm not going to operate. Instead we will put your left leg in a cast and discharge you for the drive back to Sedona in a few days." At the conference we all felt like our prayers contributed not only to Karen's healing but also to our own, and quite possibly to the world at that space in time. Karen's "accident" modeled something very profound that weekend. The morning keynote speaker was Dr. Marshall Rosenberg (www.CNVC.org ) who has traveled the globe teaching nonviolent communication techniques. At lunch time we saw a wonderful 15 minute video called "Challenge Day: Surviving High School".
The afternoon session consisted of a wonderful panel for peace & nonviolence, including David Hartsough ( www.nonviolentpeaceforce.org ), Dr. Nancy Carlsson-Paige (Center for Peaceable Schools, http://www.lesley.edu/peace.html ), Dr. Nina Lynn Meyerhof ( www.vermontpeaceacademy.org ) The most active state DOP coordinators were invited to share with the audience what we are doing in our states: Michelle & Michael from San Francisco, Nere Lartitegui from San Diego, Marjorie Zamora from Illinois, Linda Henderson from Michigan, and Terri Mansfield from Arizona. The audience was excited about the fact that Maricopa County's Sheriff Joe Arpaio has endorsed the DOP Campaign! At the conclusion of the conference, we formed a huge circle and joined in a blessing and a song; then the finale was our viewing of Sam Klugman's (actor Jack Kuugman's son) stunning PSA video for the DOP...hopefully this will be available on the Internet and television and cable in the not too distant future.Music on Sunday was provided by our California friends Moria-Melin and John Whoolilurie (who performed at our June 5 day of citizen activism), and others whose names I did not get...sorry!
The next national DOP Campaign conference will be held in April, 2005, in Washington, D.C., hopefully when Rep. Dennis Kucinich drops the DOP Bill in the "hopper" for the 3rd time.
July 21, 2004
AZDOP at Space for Progress Forum
The Institute for Cooperation in Space (ICIS) held a conference titled, “Space for Progress Forum” on July 22, 2004 in Washington D.C. Several AZDOP members met with presenters prior to the conference to discuss how the Department of Peace would support peace in space. The conference included seminars on a variety of a Department of Peace in space.
The Institute for Cooperation in Space (ICIS) is a 501-C-3 tax-exempt, non-profit foundation whose mission is to educate about efforts to transform the space-based weapons R&D program and war industry into a world cooperative civil, commercial and military space R&D and exploration program and industry (and other industries) without the mandate to weaponize space.
 Rep. Raul Grijalva, Catey , RV Romero, Angie Romero, Rick Ramero, Joseph, Terri Mansfield, Chris Romero, and Daniel Brito.
 Chris Romero, Rick Romero, Terri Mansfield, Rep. Dennis Kucinich, Angie Romero, RV Romero.
 Rick Romero, Chris Romero, RV Romero, Rep. Ed Pastor, Angie Romero, Terri Mansfield.
 Amalie Sinclair, Susan Seats, Terri Mansfield, Dr. Carol Rosin, Rick Romero, Angie Romero, Dr. Alfred Webre, Chris Romero, Dr. Marjorie Zamora.
June 5
A Report on the June 5
Day of Citizen Activism & Fund Raising
hosted by AZ DOP Campaign
PRACTICE EXCESSIVE JOY! This was Terri and Shirley's June 5th calendar reminder, and how appropriate it was for this day. We had beautiful flowers, fabulous music, a noble 8 foot peace pole, delicious food and perfect facilities, and empowered men and women who are committed to taking the next step as citizen activists to co-create the Department of Peace.
Our gratitude goes out to all our friends who made it happen, including Lynn McMullin, Marcy Weale, Rommy Banaszczyk, Cynthia Lukas, Caitlin Flaherty, Joyce Buekers, Susan Seats, Hazel Chandler, Dianne Moore, Dave MacKenney, Daniel Nahmod, Moriah-Melin & John Whoolilurie. Thank you to everyone who donated funds to further the DOP Campaign cause.
Citizen activists started arriving at 8:30 am, and were greeted by Joyce Buekers' beautiful harp music. Shirley invited all of us to come together in a circle while she invoked a blessing for the day. Terri, Shirley, Caitlin, Joyce, and Susan spoke briefly; we are 5 the 6 original Arizonans who joined 200 people from 31 states in answering Marianne Williamson's invitation to attend the first DOP Conference in Washington, D.C. in April, 2003. Rommy, Cynthia, Dianne, Marcy and Trish Adams also briefly shared their passion for peace.
Lynn McMullin is an extraordinary speaker and motivator. By the end of the day, everyone had a very clear idea of what the DOP legislation is, what it will do, and how each of us can encourage our Congressional Representatives to sponsor the HR 1673 legislation. www.thepeacealliance.org/ Lynn also told us about her experiences in South Africa with AIDS patients, and about her work with Dr. Marshall Rosenberg, founder of NVC: Nonviolent Communication, which is now a sponsor of the DOP Campaign. www.cnvc.org
Daniel Nahmod is a fabulous singer and musician from California. He just "happened" to be in Phoenix this day, and offered to visit us and sing a few of his songs from his CD "One Power". www.DanielNahmod.com We met Daniel in Washington last April, 2003, at the DOP Campaign conference.
Terri met by email, beautiful and talented Moriah-Melin and John Whoolilurie one week ago, and they volunteered to drive for five hours from their home in Joshua Tree, California at 3 am that morning, to our event to entertain us with their wonderful songs and music. They sang their "Blanket of Peace" which is dedicated to the Department of Peace. Their dream is to connect musicians and singers globally in the musical reality of peace and freedom. www.vibrationarmy.com
Shirley and Lynn performed their live "Imagine" radio show from 2-3 pm, using Terri's cellphone to connect to the radio station. www.kfhx.org Lynn's theme was "Imagine citizen's participating powerfully". We received word at that time that President Reagan had just died, and we observed a moment of silence in his memory.
We were blessed with quite an international presence: Jeanne from Burundi (she just became an American citizen); Geoffrey, a school administrator from Namibia; Said, a UN representative from Afghanistan; Augustin and Annie - he was an ambassador from Central African Republic; Nere, from the Basque region of Spain; and Rommy from Poland.
At the end of our fundraising with bricks to "pave the highway to Peace", we wrapped up this extraordinary day by showing Randall Libero's 6 minute DVD, "Earth Dream", in which he shares his vision for a new Earth and a new national / global anthem. Randall is collaborating on a new video with our friend John English, author of "The Shift: An Awakening".
( www.dtpublications.com )
Dec. 7, 2003:
Paving the Highway to Peace, one path at a time!
Our Arizona Department of Peace campaign volunteers hosted a most wonderful gathering of citizens on Dec. 7, 2003, to network and share what peace means to each of us. The foundation has been poured, and the DOP structure continues to take shape in Arizona.
Our setting was beautiful South Mountain Park in Phoenix, the weather was perfect...72 degrees. Our DOP banners and Terri's Peace Pole were prominently displayed. Throughout the afternoon, a coyote and several horses and riders shared the nearby desert paths; sounds of gunfire from a nearby target range blended harmoniously with our peaceful words and songs!
We are so grateful for our wonderful presenters.
Our fabulous singers included: Renee Morgan Brooks, Jessica Karriker, Cherise Ryan, Sammi Whytecap...each with their special gift of song and music. Joyce Buekers brought her harp, and played "Let There be Peace on Earth" as we all sang the words. Kell Kearns played "Imagine" on his guitar as we sang John Lennon's words.
Shirley Catanzaro began the festivities with an opening prayer of global peace and unity. Later, Shirley shared from her heart the trauma of domestic violence.
Terri Mansfield provided the background for Marianne Williamson's Global Renaissance Alliance, the DOP Campaign, our 2 conferences in Washington, D.C., and what we DOP lobbyists are accomplishing in Arizona.
Caitlin Flaherty summarized the highlights of Dennis Kucinich's HR 1673 DOP bill in Congress.
Rev. Richard Rogers, senior Unity of Phoenix minister, spoke of the importance of a Dept. of Peace at this time on Earth. www.unityphx.org
Cynthia Lukas, a college professor and Scottsdale mayoral candidate, is the perfect example of the new "inclusive and holistic politician". She too spoke about domestic violence in Maricopa County.
Dave Zabor is a teacher, and as a board member of AIPER, Arizona Institute of Peace Education and Research, he explained their focus on implementing areas of peace and conflict resolution in school curriculums.
Robert Miley, founder of Release the Fear, spoke of the healing aspect of art to those who have been abused in so many ways. www.releasethefear.org
Dr. Gladys McGarey, MD, is a founder of the American Holistic Medical Association. She spoke of the physiological effects of fear on our bodies. She then shared a beautiful blue cloth with all of us, that Mahatma Gandhi had given to her parents who worked with him in India as medical missionary doctors many years ago. www.mcgareyfoundation.com
Ken Aiello, YES Ambassador, Youth Engaged in Service, works in the Governor's office. Ken guided us through wonderful diversity and communication exercises.
Emiliano Murondos, shared the peace tenets of the Baha'i faith with us, along with his joy and enthusiasm.
Hannah Assadi, teen president of the Arizona Seeds of Peace chapter, summarized for us their recent fund raising efforts to send teens from global areas of conflict to camp in Maine to learn leadership skills to promote peaceful coexistence. www.seedsofpeace.org
Glenn Roller, author of "Is Anyone Awake Out There", shared with humor and compassion, his journey to finding inner happiness and peace.
Rommy Banaszczyk, president and founder of the International Ladies' Group in Scottsdale, spoke of her group's efforts to blend as a global community of peace.
Kell Kearns, coordinator of the ICF, Interfaith Community of Flagstaff, is also a documentary filmmaker. Kell has been writing, hosting and producing PBS documentaries on the theme of peace since 1983. He is working on documentaries of Barbara Marx Hubbard and Dennis Kucinich.
Cathy Trotta, Northern Arizona University professor, is also one of our 4 AZ DOP regional coordinators, and very involved in environmental issues.
Jenny Dickason, founder of WILD Women, shared her ideas for fundraising for the national and Arizona DOP campaigns. One of her ideas is to ask donors to purchase bricks to be inscribed with their names. The bricks could be used to "pave the highway to peace" to the front door of our envisioned AZ DOP office. www.muffibindi.com
Cat Parenti shared her daughter "Grandmother" Chandra's message of universal peace. www.grandmachandra.com
Bishop Alonzo & Stella Steele and their assistants from Rhema Christian Fellowship of Churches, ended our program with song, and a message of peace being like raindrops. Lo & behold, the next day Phoenix was blessed with a light shower of raindrops / peace!
Special thanks to our friends who helped in so many ways: Susan Seats, John Kula, Lianne Selzer, Bob Denton, Norma Carey, Maria Carnevale, Janice Sharples, Kassandra Lebow, Hazel Chandler, Hugh McCutchen, Kelly Rein, Teri Radosevich, Dave Kaler, Sean Baeza, Arlene Hoagland, Mike Murphy, Rob Mayer, Sherry Bohlen, Diane Call, Dianne Moore...& Aleia O'Reilly.
Just days before our event, we were told by the City of Phooenix that no fund raising is allowed in the parks. Our next event will definitely take that into consideration! We also thank everyone for understanding that as representatives of the DOP Campaign which is a nonprofit organization, we cannot endorse political candidates. Our own AZ DOP Campaign 501c3 is pending.
From our hearts to yours, we share peace and joy and gratitude, every day.
Hugs...Terri & Shirley
September 12, 2003
Washington DC, DOP Conference
Summary from Terri Mansfield
The following is a summary of our amazing Arizona DOP trip to Washington, D.C., Sept. 12-16, 2003. 13 of us Arizonans joined over 200 other volunteers from 31 states at Marianne Williamson's Democracy / DOP Conference. We are: Caitlin Flaherty, Janice Sharples, Mike Murphy, Lianne Selzer, Sherry Bohlen, Dave Kaler, Diane Call, Rob Mayer, Cathy Trotta, Susan Seats, John Kula, and us regional coordinators, Terri Mansfield & Shirley Catanzaro.
We all stayed at the Hyatt Crystal City in Arlington, where the conference was held. Shirley and Lianne were blessed to be near the National Cathedral on Sept. 11, to hear and see the Dalai Lama who presented a talk that day.
Sept. 12:
Shirley and I joined Lynn McMullen & Matthew & Debbie & the other Regional Coordinators from around the US in a day of planning and strategy and support. We hope to recruit more RCs, as most of the states have none. Arizona is unique in that we have 4! (Aleia O'Reilly in Flagstaff is on "hold" right now, and Nicole Christine in Tucson is doing a great job.) Shirley and I "adopted" activists from TX, UT, OK, CO, NV for the time being, to support them in their DOP efforts. That evening the conference registration and a welcome reception for most of the participants took place.
Sept. 13:
Marianne Williamson welcomed everyone, and spoke of the principles of nonviolence, and their historical political significance. Lynn McMullen went over basic civics, and talking effectively about the DOP legislation. That night we all went on an evening tour of the Monuments: Jefferson, Washington, Lincoln, Vietnam Wall. This was very emotional and inspiring for us; the beauty of the evening together with the dramatic lighting of the statues and the power of the words reinforced our belief that our mission here was unique.
Sept. 14:
Thom Hartmann, Christopher Largent, and Marianne gave their overviews of the U.S. Constitution, including an in-depth look at the Founders' vision and First Principles inscribed in our founding documents. We also went over funding for the non-profit GRA / DOP campaign, citizen activism, and lobbying preparation. Congressman John Conyers, Michigan, gave us a wise and funny taste of his Congressional experiences over the years. His advisor, Burt Wizes, offered us practical lobbying tips.
Sept. 15:
In the morning, we Arizona DOP lobbyists were joined by DOP lobbyists JJ Nino & Barbara Veres (TX), Lily Groves (UT), Pennie McGee (OR), Lydia Polley (OK) as we began our Hill visits. We piled into 4 cabs, and our first stop was in Longworth House Office Bldg., Rep. Trent Franks' office, where we met with Doyle Scott, legislative director, and John Graves, chief of staff. Next we went to Rep. Raul Grijalva's office (he is the only AZ sponsor of HR 1673 so far). We were delighted that Rep. Grijalva returned from Tucson a 1/2 day early to meet with us! We also met with his legislative assistant, Daniel Brito.
We then walked outside on a beautiful day past the Supreme Court building, posed in front of the Capitol for a photo, and then visited Sen. John McCain's office in the Russell Senate Office Bldg.. We first had a private tour of the Capitol building with a few of the interns. Then we returned to Sen. McCain's office for a meeting with legislative correspondent Matt Rimkunas.
We returned to our hotel to hear a panel discussion with: Dr. Carol Rosin on banning weapons in space; Kevin Martin, executive director of Peace Action; Diane Pearlman on international issues and methods of nonviolent conflict resolution.
The big DOP banquet was that evening, and Rep. Lois Capps of California was the guest speaker.
Sept. 16:
Our early morning delicious continental breakfast was highlighted by a visit from Rep. Dennis Kucinich, the author of the DOP (HR 1673) bill. We had several congressional visits today. First we took cabs to Cannon House Office Bldg. In Rep. John Shadegg's office, we met with legislative correspondent Cara Dalmolin; In Rep. Rick Renzi's office, we met with staff assistant Jonathan Stull, and then Rep. Renzi joined us for at least 1/2 hour; We stopped in Longworth again to say hi to Rep. Dennis Kucinich, and spent a few minutes with him for a photo op.
We walked down the Hill to Rayburn House Office Bldg., and met with Rep. Ed Pastor's legislative director, Eve Young. We then visited with Rep. J.D. Hayworth's legislative assistant, Todd Sommers. The office was so crowded with other meetings, that we had our meeting in the hallway! We stopped by Rep. Jim Kolbe's office; we had not been given an appointment, but wanted to introduce ourselves and leave our DOP packet of information with staff assistant Omar Khawaja.
The DOP HR 1673 legislation is in committee headed by Reps. Howard Coble
(NC) & Bobby Scott (VA), so we walked down the hallway to both of their offices to sign a DOP petition to urge them to focus attention on moving the bill through their committee.
By Tuesday evening, Sept. 16, we were pleasantly exhausted, and ready to return to Arizona to continue our educational lobbying efforts for the creation of the cabinet level Department of Peace. Most of us left Washington by Sept. 17; good thing...Hurricane Isabel closed the city Sept. 18-19.
In each office, we presented one of my "baby peace poles" and some of Shirley's buttons ("We are all one family, all one people of the Earth") and our AZ DOP packet: it includes a summary of the DOP (HR 1673) bill, ways people can help, a postcard and stationary on which citizens can write to their Reps asking them to sponsor the bill, and a sign-up sheet for people who want to assist our efforts in Arizona. We are wise and passionate
lobbyists: we go into each office with smiles of respect, we ask our hosts to offer us suggestions and to work with us on the bill, we all agree that peace is wanted and that violence must stop; we are planting the seeds and laying the groundwork for implementation of a more harmonious way of life in Arizona & the United States & all countries on Earth. We leave each office having taken group pictures and exchanging handshakes and hugs.
Thank you everyone for your support and dedication. It took time for the civil rights' movement to become a reality, for the women's right to vote to become a reality, for the Americans with disabilities act...to become a reality. So too will the Department of Peace become a reality...each one of us is making a difference, every day.
Hugs of Peace,
Terri & Shirley
By the way, Shirley and I and several volunteers represented the DOP in a nonpartisan way at a Dennis Kucinich gathering after the Democratic Presidential debate here in Phoenix Oct. 9, 2003. (Lynn McMullen gave us the go-ahead to be there.) Shirley and I were ecstatic that Dennis had an opportunity during the debate carried live on CNN, to mention the Deaprtment of Peace. We were also blessed to spend time last evening and this morning with Dr. Patch Adams. He is very impressed with the DOP concept.
Hugs...Terri
April 8, 2003
We the People
Washington DC Peace Conference summary from Shirley Catanzaro
The Preamble to the Constitution states: “We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
Lincoln’s first paragraph of the Gettysburg address: “Four score and 7 years ago, our fathers brought forth upon this continent a new nation: conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.”
When our forefathers wrote the Preamble and Gettysburg address they continued to reach for and work towards the goals they had set. America then became a country that was admired and looked up to. Yet our government has used various methods that have caused Americans today to question, “what is the USA and what do we stand for? What core values to we exemplify in our homes and communities?”
Imagine, here we are in the year 2003 still hoping to insure domestic tranquility, to promote the general welfare and looking forward to the proposition that all people are created equal.
Marianne Williamson of the Global Renaissance Alliance, organized a 3-day conference in Washington, DC, in April of 2003 to educate us about the Department of Peace (DOP). 200 people from 30 states including 6 of us from Arizona answered the call.
Congressman Dennis Kucinich from Ohio initially proposed this bill on July 11, 2001. 
On April 8, 2003 Rep. Kucinich re-introduced the bill to the House of Representatives, H.R. 1673*. Prior to that we attended his press conference as he presented the bill to the media. To be witnesses for such a momentous event helped us realize what our forefathers felt as they created the Constitution, in 1776, 227 years ago. The fact that we were from various political parties never entered our minds, as Peace is not political. Imagine our government establishing a cabinet level Department of Peace that would be a new paradigm shift for the world to mirror. The icing on the cake came the same day as we were invited for a three-hour private tour of the Pentagon. Imagine our delight to find an 8 ft. Peace Pole in the Chapel and on each of the four sides was written the prayer, “May Peace Prevail on Earth.”
While in Washington we visited the offices of Senator Kyl, Congressmen Hayworth, Renzi, Flake and Shaddegg. As of June 4th, 2003, we Arizona DOP Activists have completed our visits to the offices of Senator McCain, Congressmen Grijalva, Kolbe, Franks and Pastor as we continue to lobby for the Department of Peace.
Terri Mansfield, Joyce Buekers, Susan Seats, Caitlin Flaherty, Aleia O’Reilly and Shirley Catanzaro, continue to network the newspapers, radio and television stations, church leaders, state elected officials and the public to promote this bill. We invite all Arizonans to exemplify “the peace within” concept as a model for the other 49 states.
We six women come from varied backgrounds and professions. Joyce Buekers is a minister and harpist at Hospice of the Valley; Terri Mansfield is a minister, a Hospice of the Valley speaker and a Peace Pole advocate; Susan Seats is an International Rotary Ambassador to India and a counselor; Caitlin Flaherty is a behavioral health technician assisting seriously mentally ill adults with their independent living skills; Aleia O'Reilly is a minister, an author and therapist; and Shirley Catanzaro is a minister and a personal consultant/coach helping others to achieve Peace Within. As inexperienced as we all are at dancing within the political realm, our passion for peace/conflict resolution supercedes our awkwardness, and we will prevail in seeing the creation of a more peaceful state, country, nation and world. The '"vehicle's" design may take awhile to develop but, with invaluable input from everyone, we will see it through to fruition.
What is your passion? What is your vision for the future, for your family and for the world? These are the questions we have asked in every office we visit and one of the answers is always the word, “PEACE”.
How can you help? Write a letter to your Congressman asking them to sponsor the bill H.R. 1673, in the House and to your Senators asking them to introduce the DOP legislation in the Senate. Share this information with everyone you know. We can make it happen! We will have AZ DOP meetings on June 16th, July 13th and August 14th in the Phoenix area.
For additional information on the DOP locally or to R.S.V.P. for any of these upcoming events, for directions, place and times please email or call the Regional Coordinators: Terri Mansfield: azdopcampaigntm@cox.net 602-885-9058 and Shirley Catanzaro: azdopcampaignsc@cox.net 480-203-8303.
*To read the bill in its entirety please go to: www.thepeacealliance.org/
Summary of DOP Legislation
Legislation introduced by Congressmen Dennis Kucinich to create a Department of Peace includes the following:
- Establish a cabinet-level department in the executive branch of the Federal Government dedicated to peacemaking and the study of conditions that are conducive to both domestic and international peace.
- Headed by a Secretary of Peace, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate.
- The mission of the Department shall: hold peace as an organizing principle; endeavor to promote justice and democratic principles to expand human rights; strengthen nonmilitary means of peacemaking; promote the development of human potential; work in nonviolent dispute resolution; and take a proactive, strategic approach in the development of policies that promote national and international conflict prevention, nonviolent intervention, mediation, peaceful resolution of conflict and structured mediation of conflict.
- The Department will create and establish a Peace Academy, modeled after the military service academies, which will provide a 4-year concentration in peace education. Graduates will be required to serve 5 years in public service in programs dedicated to domestic or international nonviolent conflict resolution.
- The principal officers of the Department, in addition to the Secretary of Peace will include; the Under Secretary of Peace; the Assistant Secretary for Peace Education and Training; the Assistant Secretary for Domestic Peace Activities; the Assistant Secretary for International Peace Activities; the Assistant Secretary for Technology for Peace; the Assistant Secretary for Arms Control and Disarmament; the Assistant Secretary for Peaceful Coexistence and Nonviolent Conflict Resolution; the Assistant Secretary for Human and Economic Rights; and a General Counsel.
- The first day of each year, January 1st will be designated as Peace Day in the United States and all citizens would be encouraged to observe and celebrate the blessings of peace and endeavor to create peace in the coming year.
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