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Feb 28, 2007
PV Independent
Department of Peace bill introduced again
by Terri Mansfield
“There is a shinhing light of advocacy returning to The Hill during this 110th Congress, in our nation’s capitol - we call it the “Department of Peace inclusive proactive transpartisan grassroots campaign.”
Read More
January 20, 2007
East Valley Tribune
P.V. woman pushes for U.S. Department of Peace
By Beth Lucas
“For the last several years, America and the rest of the world have been hearing about terrorism and about fear and security and that sort of thing,” said Mansfield, executive director of the Arizona Department of Peace Campaign. “This isn’t a partisan issue. This is a human issue.”
While the idea might sound like a fantasy at first glance, Rep. Mark Anderson, R-Mesa, said it’s got his support, amid a growing number of officials who like the idea.
Read More
December 25, 2006
Arizona Republic
What this world needs: A Department of Peace
by Nancy K. Splain
Terri Mansfield of Paradise Valley is what one might call a born healer.
From her earliest days of childhood, she has been sensitive to the hurts and misunderstandings among people and has worked to bring comfort and reconciliation to those around her.
When Mansfield became assistant director of volunteers at Hospice of the Valley in 1995, she brought her empathy and understanding to families facing end-of-life issues and the volunteers who served them. At about that same time, she also became a Peace Pole advocate.
As she tells the story, when she saw an 8-foot Peace Pole in the chapel at the Pentagon in April 2002, she knew that the Department of Defense needed a Department of Peace to work side by side, "just as an eagle on the U.S. dollar bill holds the arrows in one talon and the olive branches in the other."
So, when Mansfield was invited to Washington, D.C., in March 2003 to learn about a proposed Cabinet-level Department of Peace, she immediately accepted. A month later, she returned home to the Valley and co-founded the Arizona Department of Peace Campaign. She started this volunteer work with the intention that the movement would be inclusive, proactive, nonpartisan, solution-oriented and creative.
The Department of Peace Campaign, like all great grassroots movements throughout the history of America, started off small in April 2003 with only 200 volunteers. It now has 50,000 volunteers and 24 countries working to create Departments of Peace.
It's not a new idea, but it's a timely one. Since 1792, American visionaries have seen a national Department of Peace that would work to research, articulate and facilitate non-violent solutions to domestic and international conflicts.
The vision also includes the creation of a Peace Academy alongside our military academies. It would focus on mediation, conflict resolution, foreign languages and cultures, and economies. Mansfield points out that Arizona could model such an academy by expanding the focus of Thunderbird, the Garvin School of International Management.
Graduates of the Peace Academy would serve our country in two ways:
• Domestically, working to build skills to resolve conflict and de-escalate violence in our homes, schools, gangs and prisons.
• Internationally, working side by side with the Department of State and the Department of Defense to provide mediation experts in such places as Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel, Sri Lanka and Darfur, and to enhance America's peacekeeping and peace-building skills.
When people ask Mansfield how to create a culture of peace, she says: "Find your peace in your own heart, and then share that with everyone. Join our AZDOP Campaign and see your world become more peaceful."
Nancy K. Splain, a retired attorney, is former president of the Scottsdale Bar Association and is now an outreach coordinator at the Beatitudes Center DOAR. For more information on the Department of Peace Campaign, call (602) 885-9058, or visit www.azdopcampaign.org.
August 21, 2006
Channel 3 News
Red Hot Chili Peppers Endorse DOP
by Scott Davis
Flea of the popular Red Hot Chili Peppers, gave an amazing endorsement of the Department of Peace Monday night, Aug. 21, at the sold out concert in nearby Glendale, Arizona.
Our friend Scott Davis at AZ Family Channel 3 News had an exclusive interview with Flea before the concert.
There is great footage of many of our AZDOP volunteers at the concert, as well as of the fabulous new Dept. of Peace banners:
"Make Sense, Make Peace, Make History". There are a few quotes from Terri too.
Check it out!
Colleen O'Donnell did a super job as Point Person with Wendy Greene in coordinating a great evening of music and peace and volunteerism. It was so inspiring to join the fans from 5 years old to senior citizens dancing in the aisles and singing along with the RHCP...truly Peace in Action!
April 18, 2006
Paradise Valley Independent
Group Lobbies for Peace
By Jennifer Amsler
Several Paradise Valley residents have campaigned for years to create a cabinet-level Department of Peace and now hope locals will join the movement.
Resident Terri Mansfield will ask Paradise Valley politicians sometime after the council run-off election to endorse the campaign, which began as a grassroots effort three years ago.
"When the council members are in place, I want to speak with them individually," she said.
But seeking a council endorsement is one of many efforts Mrs. Mansfield and other residents have done to spread tranquility.
The Arizona Department of Peace campaign began after legislation was introduced to Congress to create a department that would encourage mediation, understanding and communication without violence.
The department would not be anti-military, rather it would create another problem-solving resource for government to use, Mrs. Mansfield said.
The bill has been introduced to Congress a few times over the past couple of years but has not been signed into legislation.
Mrs. Mansfield wants to spread the philosophy to Paradise Valley and Arizona residents that peace can be achieved locally and abroad.
Since World War II, more than 100 bills have been introduced to Congress regarding a Peace Department but none have ever passed.
Mrs. Mansfield said until now, Americans did not have faith in themselves as individuals or as a nation.
"Now, the tools are arriving left and right; there is a growing awareness individually and as a nation that Americans can and are stepping forward into our vision which our founding fathers saw for us in the Declaration of Independence," Mrs. Mansfield said.
Resident Trish Adams, also a Department of Peace campaign activist, said creating a more peaceful world starts right here in the Valley.
Founder of the public charter school Star Shine Academy, Ms. Adams said focus on individual accomplishments helped turn a high-crime area into a positive learning environment.
"We celebrate individual and cultural differences," Ms. Adams said.
In the meantime, Mrs. Mansfield and other Department of Peace campaigners seek a town council endorsement.
Town Manager Tom Martinsen said it is not typical for council to endorse legislation on a national level, but Mrs. Mansfield is welcome to speak with council members.
"Sometimes they (council members) will take a stand on legislation that directly affects the town," Mr. Martinsen said.
What do you think?
April 2006
Latino Perspectives
Peace-maker
By Ruben Hernandez
On Feb. 22, Latino Legislator David Lujan helped give peace a chance at the Arizona Legislature.
Partnering with a group advocating non-violence, Rep. Lujan introduced a "post card" bill that asked state congressmen to support the creation of a federal Department of Peace. Lujan, a Democrat from District 15, sponsored the bill, along with Rep. Mark Anderson, a
Republican. The bill had its hearing in the Education Committee.
Lujan's bill was blocked on a 4 to 4 vote. Yet Lujan and the Arizona Department of Peace campaign members consider it a major victory that the bill even received a hearing in the Republican dominated Legislature. Lujan says he plans to re-introduce the bill each session until it passes.
Lujan's proposal is part of a national campaign started in 2001 to create a Department of Peace. The DOP would be a Cabinet level agency that would work with the departments of State and Defense to prevent or help resolve military conflict around the world. Domestically, the DOP would work with schools, nonprofits, and churches to teach conflict resolution and non-violence principles to youth and the community.
In this tense time when the U.S. is at war overseas, some see the Department of Peace concept as anti-war, anti-U.S. and an unrealistic, Utopian fantasy.
Lujan sees some very practical uses for the U.S. Hispanic community.
"We have a lot of Latino children who will go into gangs. Or to resolve problems by meeting after school and fighting, using guns and knives. If a Department of Peace could save one child's life, I think it is a good thing."
He adds, "Another key aspect is if you look at immigration right now, there is tension building and building. One of the DOP principles - learning about each otherÕs cultures _ would go a long way to resolve some of these issues."
Terri Mansfield, director and co-founder of the Arizona Department of Peace Campaign, says that the AZDOP campaigners will meet with state legislators on April 6, the same day a national committee will be meeting with U.S. Congress members to promote the idea.
"Some say we are a warlike species," Mansfield says. "I believe we are evolving to become a peaceful species. A Department of Peace would empower us to create a culture of peace."
For more information on the Arizona Department of Peace Campaign, visit the Web site at www.azdopcampaign.org.
November-December Issue, 2005
The original story is here
December 2005
Paradise Valley Independent
Global Children Shine Through Art
Terri Mansfield
The eigth annual international Peace Pals Art Celebration was a life changing eperience for thousands of Arizonans November 4 and 5....
The original story is here
September 2005
Frontdoors
Authors of Change Brunch - Starshine Academy Women Impacting Public Policy
Trish Adams and Terri Mansfield welcomed guests to the 2nd Annual Brunch on the Wrigley Mansion Club....
The original story is here
September 2005
The Tatum Sun Times
Will Congress Give Peace a Chance
Bonnie Goldberg
Look at a dollar bill and you’ll find a picture of an eagle clutching arrows in his right talon and an olive branch in his left - defense and peace...
Part 1 of the original story
Part 2 of the original story
Desert Paradise Magazine
The Department of Peace gains ground
“Make no mistake about it — the Department of Peace (DOP) is not an anti-military movement but rather a complement to it. Many members of this movement are in or retired from the military. Their most staunch supporters are found in the Pentagon. It is their hope that someday a fifth service academy; the Peace Academy, will become a reality along with West Point, the Naval Academy, Coast Guard Academy and the Air Force Academy.”
Read the full story here
August 3, 2005
Paradise Valley Independent
Peace Alliance Exchange Dialog
“On July 13, Town of Paradise Valley resident Terri Mansfield director of the Arizona department of Peace Campaign, and Phoenix resident Trish Adams, director of Starshine Academy Charter School, invited many Arizona firends to the Paradise Vally home of John Couleur, executive director of Arizona Social Venture Partners.”
Read the full story here
August 3, 2005
Paradise Valley Independent
Another Step on the Road to Peace
“Peace is a non-partisan issue. It is the birthright of everyone. The Department of Peace establishes nonviolence as an organizing principle in society promoting nonmilitary conflict resoution, violence prevention, and human rights expansion.”
Read the full story here
May 18, 2005
Paradise Valley Independent
Campaign for Peace Delivers Pie - by Terri Mansfield
“In the Sunday, May 8 Arizona Republic, Boston Globe columnist Ellen Goodman’s column “Founding Mothers may not recognize their special day” included the following paragraph: “Should we ask what’s the matter with politics? I know this burden can’t just rest on mothers and not fathers; on parents and not politicians. But without a successful motherhood movement, the politicians sag. Without political leadership, the movement falters.... This year, pollster Celinda Lake notes ruefully, she can’t name a single politician planning to atten d a Mother’s Day event. Motherhood is no longer the applie pie of politics.”
“We Arizona Department of Peace Campaign voluneters, as well as hundreds of our peers thorughout the U.S., turned the table on this “apple pie” statement on May 6, as Mother’s Day weekend was about to begin....”
Read a scanned copy of the article here.
Dec 14, 2004
Newszap.com
Women Strive to Keep Peace Alive
Newszap.com covers Terri and another Peace Activists efforts to promote peace:
“With the holidays here, it's common to hear people singing "Let there be peace on Earth and let it begin with me." For two Paradise Valley women, the song represents their year-round way of life.
Terri Mansfield and Eileen Borris live and breathe the concept of peace. Although the roads they travel seldom intersect-Mrs. Mansfield crisscrosses the United States, Ms. Borris journeys to Third World nations-their destinations are the same.”
For more of this story, click on or type the URL below:
http://www.newszap.com/articles/2004/12/14/az/north_valley/tpv05.txt
Nov 4, 2004
EarthChangesTV
A Critical Mass Interview
Listen to a great interview by Mitch Battros of EarthChangesTV with RV Romero about the new video Critical Mass and Terri Mansfield about the Department of Peace movement and its support of the concepts behind Critical Mass. RV and Terri both paint a picture of hope for peace through the realization of the Critical Mass that we have achieved over the past four years. The opportunity for peace has never been linked to the support of any one political party, but ultimately requires the attention of all people. Like the movie, this interview paints a picture of hope for peace in the coming years.
Click here to listen
Sept 15, 2004
The Independent
Peace is Not Political
Peace is not political; it is part of our body, mind, and spirit...it is what we are, whether we call it happiness, joy, tranquility, cooperation...or peace. 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 (DOP) is about the universal empowerment of humanity. We are the holistic architects of our future, on Earth and in Space.
In March 1955, President Dwight Eisenhower chose Harold Stassen to be his cabinet level advisor for disarmament and peace. The President was concerned about the proliferation of nuclear weapons. The media labeled Mr. Stassen the "Secretary for Peace". ("Eisenhower: Turning the World Toward Peace", Harold Stassen and Marshall Houts, chapter 19, pp. 275-291)
Ohio Congressional representative Dennis Kucinich introduced the DOP legislation twice into Congress: on July 11, 2001, and on April 8, 2003. International author, speaker and minister Marianne Williamson ( www.renaissancealliance.org ) invited Americans to convene in April and September, 2003, at her DOP Conferences in Washington, D.C.. ( www.thepeacealliance.org/ ) Several of us Arizonans attended both DOP conferences. There are thousands of us DOP volunteers from all political backgrounds dedicated to educating citizens about the efficacy of the DOP.
Since April 2003, we have passionately dialogued from our hearts with our Republican and Democratic Congressional representatives and their staff, urging them to sponsor and support the HR 1673 legislation. Rep. Raul Grijalva from Tucson is one of 51 sponsors of the legislation so far. 218 sponsors are needed to move the bill forward. We continue to network with community, political, religious, medical, business, media, military and education groups throughout Arizona. We explain, with local examples and national and international suggestions, how the old paradigm of war being profitable for the few is changing to the new paradigm of peace being profitable for everyone.
The heart of the DOP concept is simple and timely: to be the cabinet level "champion" for peace and nonviolence in our society, domestically and internationally and in space. This is a Win-Win opportunity for 6.5 billion humans.
The Secretary of Peace will work side by side with the Secretaries of State and Defense and with the military-industrial complex, to offer balanced wisdom and information to the President. The Secretary of Peace will oversee mediation and dialogue in all areas of violence in the United States: domestic violence, child and elderly abuse, hate crimes, bullying, gang violence, murder, media sensationalism, etc. *The Secretary of Peace will oversee the eradication of weapons in space and work with the defense industry to focus on peaceful and educational uses of space technology. The Secretary of Peace will oversee a 4 year PeaceAcademy based on the military academies. After the students complete this college level education, they will provide 5 years of service as civilian peacekeepers and mediators, both in America and in countries facing violent challenges, such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel, the Sudan, etc.
On the back of the dollar bill, we see our national symbol, the eagle. In one claw there are arrows representing the Dept. of Defense; in the other claw there is an olive branch, representing the Dept. of Peace. The State Department focuses on international diplomacy, and the Peace Department will focus on eradicating all forms of violence in America, and ultimately, all over the Earth as well as in space.
It took passionate American grassroots movements to give women the right to vote and to create the Civil Rights act, so too will this Dept. of Peace become a reality through the dedicated support of grassroots Arizonans and Americans. If not us...who? If not now...when?
This election year 2004 would be the perfect time for President Bush, Senator Kerry, The Senate, the House of Representatives and all our leaders to put aside their differences and to come together in a bipartisan show of unity to enact the Department of Peace legislation. Walter Cronkite wrote his recent article "Why Not a Department of Peace?", which appeared in the Denver Post on Aug. 15, 2004: "... 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."
The years 2001-2010 have been declared by the UN, as the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Nonviolence for the Children of the World. http://www3.unesco.org/iycp/uk/uk_sum_decade.htm
What can you do to help? We ask that you:
September, 2004
PV Times
AZDOPCampaign Leader in Local Paper
“What will we choose as a nation, Love or Fear?” For her choice, Catanzaro also is helping push for a U.S. Department of Peace, a lobby-ing effort started by Congress-man Dennis Kucinich. Backers are hoping to make it a Cabinet post, and the de-partment would focus on non-military peaceful conflict resolutions, prevent violence and promote justice and demo-cratic principles to expand hu-man rights.
“We need to create a new par-adigm of how we look at things,” Catanzaro says. “We need to step back and become observers instead of being a reactor all the time.”
View the clipping
Aug. 18, 2004
NewsChannel 3
PV woman champions Department of Peace
The United States has a Department of State, a Department of Justice and a Department of Defense, so why not a Department of Peace?
Believe it or not a growing number of people are working hard with that goal in mind.
"When I read it, I thought I'm going. I'm going to Washington to be part of this grassroots movement," said Terri Mansfield, talking about her newest passion.
Nearly 18 months ago, Mansfield became one of the first volunteers from Arizona to sign up with the Department of Peace. Now she runs the state campaign from her Paradise Valley home.
Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich introduced the concept to Congress in 2001. His bill would create a position in the president's cabinet for a secretary of peace.
"At least half of what the secretary of peace will focus on is ways to eradicate violence right here in America," Mansfield said.
Read the full article at AZFamily.com
August 15, 2004
Denver Post - Walter Cronkite
Why not a Department of Peace
With this nation embroiled in what threatens to be an interminable "war on terrorism," an idea put forward last year by Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich has considerable appeal.
Kucinich, who was the one candidate in the Democratic primaries to unfailingly promote the party's traditional Franklin Roosevelt liberalism, proposed the establishment of a Department of Peace. He has introduced in the House a bill that would add a new Cabinet post to the executive branch of government. The Department of Peace would "advise the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State on all matters relating to national security, including the protection of human rights and the prevention of, amelioration of, and de-escalation of unarmed and armed international conflict."
Read the full article at the Denver Post
Jun. 14, 2004
The Arizona Republic
Peace movement begins at home for PV woman
PARADISE VALLEY - As an advocate of peace, Terri Mansfield says her goal is to empower people to look beyond the cycle of violence.
The Paradise Valley woman is leading the charge in the Southwest for a national grass-roots movement to create a Department of Peace in the U.S. government.
A bill for the Cabinet-level position was introduced in Congress in 2001. Mansfield said she was immediately drawn to the cause, which calls for a "secretary of peace" to sit alongside the secretary of state and secretary of defense.
In theory, the Department of Peace - which was introduced by U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio - would work to eliminate everything from war to elementary school bullies through non-violent means.
Though she volunteers for the cause, Mansfield said her work to pitch the idea to Northeast Valley residents and other Arizonans has become a full-time job.
She said the idea is a source of hope for many who refuse to believe that violence is an answer to violence.
Read the full Article at AZCentral
June 5, 2004
Press Release
Endorseement Letters for Department of Peace
We are so grateful for the letters of endorsement that we have received for the DOP / AZDOP Campaigns within the last month.
1) StarShine Academy High School students (in Phoenix)
2) Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Maricopa County
3) Former Phoenix Mayor Thelda Williams
4) School of Hard Knocks, Maricopa County Jail juvenile inmates
5) John English, author, "The Shift: An Awakening"
1) 18 of the StarShine Academy charter high school students who study with teacher Tori Okuda wrote eloquent letters stating what peace means to them, and why they want a Department of Peace, in Arizona and the US. One letter is from Amanda S.: "Dear Rep. Ed Pastor: My name is Amanda S. and I go to StarShine Academy. I am writing to you because I want to tell you (about) giving your support on the Dept. of Peace Bill #HR 1673. Our school got visited by the Dept. of Peace. They gave our class a new feeling on why peace is important. I feel that our world does not have enough of peace. Too much violence and crime, and too much death involving those two things. Having the Bill pasted (sic) would benefit the world, it would start something new. It could lessen the crime, violence, and death rates. The peace would spread and make lives happier and better. The peace department is a great idea to bring people in the world a sense of what peace could really bring." June 9, 2004
2) Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arapaio wrote his letter of endorsement and suggested later that he could be our "white knight" in the community. "I endorse the Department of Peace Campaign, locally and nationally, and assure you that you have my permission to use my name on the DOP website in support of your cause. I enjoyed--and learned from--our meeting last week." June 21, 2004
3) Former Phoenix Mayor Thelda Williams sent us her powerful endorsement expressed so eloquently below. "I strongly support the creation of the United States Department of Peace. The violence in America continues to spread like an ugly virus through every segment of our society. Violence destroys children's dreams and lives. Violence rips families apart. Violence feeds on the negativity it creates, and forms a multi-generational genetic chain that will eventually destroy America from within. Violence is complex. All levels of government jurisdiction, communities, organizations, and individuals are committed to their individual areas of interest and expertise. Billions of dollars are spent each (year) addressing the various contributing factors related to violence, i.e., domestic violence, child abuse, animal abuse, elder abuse, substance abuse, mental illness, criminal activities, civil rights violations, lack of adequate housing, education, health services, etc. It is time to change how we do business. The Department of Peace will provide the leadership to address the complexities involved from the positive perspective that encourages and rewards good behaviors and attitudes...the one that teaches respect for one another's differences and needs...the one that may coordinate the many efforts and channels positive energy to eliminate violence...the one that instills positive values, dreams, and spirit. I commend you for your leadership in making this happen. It is truly a tremendous challenge, but a most worthy endeavor." July 14, 2004
4) 14 juvenile inmates at Hard Knocks High, in the Maricopa County jail system, endorsed the concept of peace and a Department of Peace as vehicles to begin to eradicate the cycle of violence in which they live. One letter is from Guadalupe D.: "My name is Guadalup D. I am an inmate at Madison Street Jail. I heard that the senator (sic) is trying to create a department of peace, and I think that this is a very good idea because peace is everything. What peace means to me is love, friendship, and together united as one. If there is peace there would be less violence and stop drugs from running the street. If the department of peace is created in Arizona, it would really really help! Because in my life I've seen a lot of violence, and it affects the children's life so let's get the Department of peace running so we could have world peace." July 13, 2004
5) John English, lives in North Phoenix, and travels the world talking about his evolutionary political novel, "The Shift: An Awakening". "From time to time, we get to be part of something very beautiful on this Earth. If our desire is to be of service to Mother / Father God and our hearts are pure, then this can happen frequently. Our lives are then enriched by the others we meet whose hearts are open through making the same commitment. We then become part of something that is bigger than we are individually; in acuality we then remember who we truly are and that all things are possible. This infuses our spirit with great joy. Our minds tend to underestimate the unlimited capabilities of our spirit and the power of our intention, and one of the greatest challenges is to retrain our minds not to do so. For some of us this happens rather suddenly and without warning. For most of us this can happen through service in organizations like the Arizona Department of Peace. Most of us know that we must first practice peace before we can know it. To truly know something is to become it. Once we become peace, the natural progression is for it to flow out of us to touch everyone we come in contact with. This area of being...our minds cannot understand, and what the mind cannot understand, it is without power to impose limitations on. My heart knows that what was started by Terri Mansfield and Shirley Catanzaro is boundless and its energy will be felt by the seventh generation hence. For this I am eternally grateful, for the two of them, for the Arizona Department of Peace, and for all of you here today."
Jan 1, 2004
Paradise Valley Independent Newspaper
A Wave of Hope for America:
At this holiday time of Peace on Earth, there is a wave of hope flowing across America. Thousands of grass roots volunteers are helping to create a cabinet level Department of Peace (DOP) in Washington, D.C. This legislation has been introduced twice in Congress by Rep. Dennis Kucinich, in July 2001, and in April, 2003. Peace is not political. People of all political parties want peace.
Highlights of this DOP legislation will:
hold peace and nonviolence as organizing principles in society; offer the President optional suggestions for dealing with domestic and international violence; create an Academy of Peace based on the military academies; expand human rights; encourage local community development and implementation of mediation initiatives; sponsor country and regional initiatives to develop programs for addressing the root sources of conflict in troubled areas; focus on the reduction of weapons of mass destruction and at the same time develop marketing strategies to make peace profitable; designate January 1 as a national Day of Peace. The proposed start-up cost for the Department of Peace will be $8 billion, as compared to the $400 billion Department of Defense budget. How valuable is peace to our elected officials?
Domestically, the Secretary and Undersecretaries of Peace will implement nonviolent conflict resolutions for child abuse, domestic violence, elder abuse, animal abuse, hate crimes, school bullying, road rage, gang violence, prison violence. The local and national mediation groups are already working to address these societal issues; their legitimacy and effectiveness will be enhanced by coming under the umbrella of the Department of Peace.
Internationally, the Secretary and Undersecretaries of Peace will work with the Departments of State and Defense to facilitate the development of peace summits and strengthen nonmilitary means of peacemaking.
The DOP as an empowering government agency, will encourage Americans to take responsibility for their actions. When our grandchildren ask us what did we do for peace, we can answer that we helped to create the Department of Peace. Something as simple as writing a letter to our Congressmen asking them to sponsor the bill in Congress right now is an important first step. (The DOP bill is HR 1673.) Just as it took years of dedicated involvement by grass roots volunteers to help enact women's right to vote, and to enact civil rights, and to enact support for Americans with disabilities, so too will volunteers help to enact the creation of the Department of Peace.
We all can, as Gandhi urged, "be the change that we want to see in the world."
If not us, who; if not now, when?
Peace begins one person at a time; peace begins within.
Hugs of peace,
Terri Mansfield
and
Shirley Catanzaro
Nov 29, 2003
Great DOP Merchandise
Just in time for Christmas, a web site for the sale of GREAT new DOP merchandise.
Everyone involved MUST HAVE the DOP Tote to carry post cards, flyers, petitions etc. The long sleeve t-shirt, junior hoodie and hooded sweat shirt are ideal for the cold winter weather. Also available is a great looking baseball cap in three colors, a mug, and golf shirt.
Check it out and start ordering for yourself and those on your Christmas list. PEACE!
Diana Gray
http://www.cafeshops.com/world_of_peace
July 8, 2003
ASU’s State Press
Arizonans push for Dept. of Peace
Lynh Bui
“Some might say it is the pie-in-the-sky. Others, the impossible dream. But for Terri Mansfield, the formation of a national Department of Peace (DOP) is crucial to the future of the country.”
For the full article visit the ASU State Press web site.
May 27, 2003
Arizona Republic
Another opening to push for peace
Ricardo Pimentel
“Apologies to John Lennon, but all they're saying is that we should give the Department of Peace a chance.
The Department of Peace would be created by legislation sponsored by Rep. Dennis Kucinich, an Ohio Democrat and presidential hopeful.
It's also a grass-roots project of the Global Renaissance Alliance, a group whose mission, it says, is "to harness the power of non-violence as a social force for good."
You may be tempted to label this as the pie-in-the-sky musings of one of at least two avowed peace candidates in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination and a project of just another proudly pacifist organization.”
For the full article visit the Arizona Republic Web Site.
Apr. 25, 2003
Arizona Republic
Arizonans working for Peace
“PARADISE VALLEY - Imagine a "secretary of peace" sitting alongside Secretary of State Colin Powell and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.
Terri Mansfield of Paradise Valley and Shirley Catanzaro of Scottsdale didn't find the idea so far-fetched; they traveled to Washington earlier this month as part of a grass-roots movement to [work with] state representatives to co-sponsor a bill to form a Department of Peace.
The women joined a group of 200 others from 30 states, including four more from Arizona, to support the bill, which was reintroduced to Congress on April 8.
It was first introduced before the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001”
For the full article visit the Arizona Republic Web Site.
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