Rep. Dennis Kucinich

Washington, Feb 4, 2009 -

Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) yesterday reintroduced legislation that would authorize a Cabinet-level Department of Peace.

“It is well known that in times of economic difficulty violence increases. When relationships are strained by economic hardship, domestic violence, violent robbery and abuse of children and animals all increase. When the world is facing possibly the largest economic downturn since the Great Depression, now is not the time to ignore social issues and interpersonal relationships, now is the time to make special attention to make sure that our relations and health do not suffer along with our pocket books,” stated Kucinich.

The Cabinet-level Department authorized in the legislation embodies a broad-based approach to peaceful, non-violent conflict resolution at both domestic and international levels.  The Department of Peace would serve to promote non-violence as an organizing principle in our society, and help to create the conditions for a more peaceful world

 “Peace is a foundational principle of this Congress and of this country.  This bill gives it a chance to have an animating power in our civic life by addressing the issues of domestic violence, spousal abuse, child abuse, violence in the schools and racial violence,” added Kucinich.

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