LEGISLATIVE UPDATE:  October 2006

By Beth Peery

Semana Por La Paz

Semana por la Paz / Week for Peace in Colombia  

Forty years of war has inflicted impoverishment, violence and hopelessness upon the nation of Colombia and has led many people to creatively support a new vision for peace. Communities throughout Colombia have said "NO!" to the violence of war, and "YES!" to the hope for peace. Semana Por La Paz is our chance to join in that celebration.

Since 1987, Semana Por La Paz (the Week for Peace) has been celebrated annually in churches, communities and individual households throughout Colombia , with art, music, prayer, advocacy and conversation about the many representations of peace in daily life, and shared visions for peace for the nation of Colombia and the world.

Our Colombian brothers and sisters invite us to join them this fall in dedicating ourselves to reflection and action that promotes peace in Colombia , in our own lives, and throughout the world. Organizations, churches and others supporting the work for peace in Colombia have chosen the first week of October to join together for reflection and action for peace in Colombia .

This year, Colombians celebrated Semana Por La Paz the week of September 3 - 10; in the U.S. we will celebrate in solidarity the week of October 1-8.

http://peaceincolombia.org/semanaporlapaz.htm

TAKE ACTION

SUPPORT CONGRESSIONAL RESOLUTION ACKNOWLEDGING PEACEMAKERS IN COLOMBIA- House Resolution 822

The U.S. House of Representatives introduced a resolution to recognize the work of peacemakers in Colombia . While these Peace Sanctuary Churches and other Colombian local peace initiatives have achieved astonishing successes in building peace, little is known about their experiences outside the local areas where they take place. Through partnership with communities of faith in the United States and Colombia , local groups are actively engaging public opinion in an attempt to recognize and further support the achievements of these local peace initiatives. Through their encouragement of peace and development oriented programs and initiatives, they are sharing the good news that peace is truly possible in Colombia .

Interpreting U.S. citizens' interest and support for Colombia local peace-building initiatives, Representative Betty McCollum (D-MN) has taken a principled stand with those whose faith calls them to be peacemakers in the midst of horrible conflict. She introduced a Sense of the House Resolution (H.RES.822) promoting local peace building efforts in Colombia and recognizing the courageous efforts of Colombian civil society and churches to establish peace communities, advance non-violent conflict resolution, and advocate for human dignity. By passing the McCollum Resolution on Colombia, the U.S. Congress will send a clear message to the Colombian government that we support the work and safety of local peace churches and civil society organizations.

There are currently 13 cosigners: 1) Rep. James Oberstar; 2) Rep. Martin Olav Sabo; 3) Rep. James McGovern; 4) Rep. Donald Payne; 5) Rep. James Moran; 6) Rep. Barbara Lee; 7) Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee; 8) Rep. Cynthia McKinney; 9) Rep. Neil Abercrombie; 10) Rep. Rond Kind; 11) Rep. Gregory Meeks; 12) Rep. Sherrod Brown;13) Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. We need 10 more co-sponsors to get the resolution considered in the agenda by the Western Hemisphere Sub-Committee in the House.

Please, urge members of the House of Representatives to join with citizens across the nation in solidarity with Colombian local peace-building efforts by co-sponsoring the Sense of the House Resolution H. RES 822.

Colorado Representatives

Representative Diana L. DeGette

Phone: 202-225-4431

Representative Tom Tancredo

Phone: 202-225-7882

Representative Joel Hefley
Phone: 202-225-4422

Representative John T. Salazar
Phone: 202-225-4761

Representative Marilyn Musgrave

Phone: 202-225-4676

Representative Mark E. Udall
Phone: 202-225-2161