Washington, D.C. – Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-Petaluma) issued the following statement at today’s press conference on Capitol Hill in support of the creation of a Department of Peace:

“I believe that war is an outdated concept and we must do everything possible to prevent wars from happening. That is why I am proud to stand next to Rep. Kucinich as we reintroduce legislation calling for the creation of a Department of Peace.

“War is the result of failed diplomacy. It is an outdated, heavy-handed way of resolving international crises. And it will not make us safer.

“The path to peace isn’t through war. The path to peace is through a healthy and educated electorate. The path to peace is through cooperation with the international community. The path to peace is through achieving political change through non-violent means.

“The Department of Peace would help make a peaceful world possible by promoting the study of peace from grade-school to college, developing a Peace Academy, and making the Secretary of the Department of Peace a cabinet level position so non-violent means of protecting our national security would be given the consideration that they deserve.

“In fact, I would suggest that Members of Congress and the Administration be the first students in the Department of Peace classroom.”

Rep. Lynn Woolsey is a Vice Chair of the Progressive Caucus and is an original co-sponsor of legislation to create a Department of Peace. Rep. Woolsey is dedicated to fighting for a better future for our children. She continues to lead her congressional colleagues to improve American foreign policy. She will reintroduce legislation to start the process of abolishing all nuclear weapons and has introduced House resolutions opposing President Bush’s decision to scrap the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty.