Rep. Barbara Lee Introduces Bill to Create Department of Peacebuilding

Congresswoman Barbara Lee on Friday introduced a new bill in the House of Representatives that would create a Cabinet-level "Department of Peacebuilding." 

In a press release, Lee said "peacebuilding” encompasses both activities that target the root causes of violence and broad measures used to prevent violent conflict and create sustainable peace. 

Lee represents California's 13th Congressional District, which includes Albany, Berkeley, Oakland, Emeryville, Alameda and San Leandro.

Here is the complete press release from Lee's office:

Washington, D.C.—Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee introduced H.R. 808, the “Department of Peacebuilding Act of 2013” to create a cabinet-level Secretary and Department of Peacebuilding. The term “peacebuilding” refers both to activities that target the root causes of violence as well as the broad measures used to prevent violent conflict and create sustainable peace. 

“This culture of violence that we live in is unacceptable. On our streets and across the globe, the pervasive presence of violence has infected the lives of millions, and it is far past time we address it as a nation. We invest hundreds of billions each year in the Pentagon, in war colleges, military academies, and our national defense universities all to develop war tactics and strategies.  Now we need that kind of investment in peace and nonviolence here at home,” said Congresswoman Barbara Lee.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each life cut short by a homicide costs the U.S. economy $1.65 million.  Worldwide, the Institute for Economics and Peace estimates that violence and conflict cost the global economy $9 trillion in 2011.

Congresswoman Lee continued, “The Department of Peacebuilding advances the good work of my friend and former colleague Congressman Kucinich and has the potential to reduce suffering on a national and global scale while saving billions of dollars through violence reduction and increased economic productivity.” 

This proposed department would be charged with developing national strategies and programs for violence reduction both domestically and internationally.  Working across agencies, the Secretary of Peacebuilding would sponsor conflict prevention and dispute resolution initiatives, facilitate peace summits between conflicting parties, encourage community policing, and support efforts by local community and religious groups to reduce gun violence, racial and ethnic violence, and prevent violence against women and LGBT Americans.

Original cosponsors include Representatives Robert Andrews, Yvette Clarke, John Conyers, Jr., Janice Hahn, James McGovern, Chellie Pingree, and Jared Polis.

What do you think of Congresswoman Lee's idea for a Department of Peacekeeping? Share you thoughts in the comments section below.