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Department of Peace Initiative
New Mexico
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New Mexico Office of Peace Legislation
An Act: Relating to executive reorganization;
creating the Office of Peace; creating the
Citizens Peace Advisory Council; making an
appropriation.
Purpose: The purpose of the Office of Peace Act is
to establish an office dedicated to peacemaking, justice
and human rights; training that will enable the prevention,
management and resolution of conflict without violence;
and the study and implementation of conditions that are
conducive to a culture of peace.
The Office of Peace will make PEACE an organizing
principle at all levels of our society. It will bring PEACE
from the margins of our society back into the center of our
lives and communities. The office will provide the infra-
structure for the preparation and practice of peace and
nonviolence. It will make peace a priority in New Mexico.
Dialogue Process: The use of facilitated dialogue can
improve relationships of people and groups in conflict and
has had positive results when used between members of the
Santa Fe Police and Sheriff's Departments and community
activists and between two groups of middle school students
in conflict. Use of dialogue, mediation, restorative justice
methods and other alternative dispute resolution will be
expanded throughout the state.
Peace Education Curriculum: A peace education
curriculum for all levels in public schools will be developed
and implemented working with school districts statewide.
The increased awareness, knowledge and skills of peace
and justice will accomplish for the safety and security of the
people of NM what the Office of Homeland Security cannot.
Students will explore the meaning of peace and nonviolence
in their own lives and in their schools and communities,
learning to listen and dialogue, supporting each other in living
more peacefully, allowing space for inner peace to flourish.
Peace Economy: The meaning and conditions of a
peace economy will be explored and promoted in NM. The
office will make sustainability, renewable energies, the wise
use and conservation of water and a living wage priorities.
Mediation, dialogue, restorative justice and alternative dispute
resolution in government agencies, courts and schools have
begun and are already saving the state time and money while
improving relationships and the level of compliance with
agreements people reach together. The office will help
expand the use of these skills statewide. As violence
decreases long term, the level of litigation and incarceration
will also decrease saving the state money, and the quality of
life will increase.
The NM Office of Peace will coordinate, support and
collaborate with existing peace and nonviolent efforts in NM
and encourage innovation.
2002 Inspired by the idea of Congressman Dennis Kucinich
to establish a U.S. Department of Peace, co-founders Mary Lou
Cook and Chris Griscom organized a gathering of grassroots
citizens from the Santa Fe area who established the New Mexico
Department of Peace Initiative with the goal of creating the
NM Department of Peace to provide a foundation for peace in our
state and in our nation from the ground up. We are pleased other
states have begun similar work, as the U.S. Department of Peace
campaign moves forward and is supporting similar campaigns in
other nations. We are honored to be part of this growing worldwide
movement.
2003 Memorials were introduced by Representative Max Coll
and Senator Cisco McSorley and passed in both houses of the NM
Legislature supporting the idea of a NM Department of Peace. The
legislation was written and the decision made to create an OFFICE
rather than a DEPARTMENT as the office would require less funding
and funding is always a key issue in the NM Legislature. The office
can still get the job done.
2004 The Office of Peace bill was introduced by Rep. Max Coll
and Senator Cisco McSorley in the NM Legislature where it reached the
Senate floor before the 30 day session adjourned. This was a good
beginning and good exposure in preparation for the 60 day session in
2005. After revising the wording, the bill was presented before the
Legislative Finance Committee and the interim Education Committee.
Support for the NM Office of Peace is being cultivated throughout the
state and among the legislators. A summary of the bill, a brochure and
buttons are being distributed, and a petition and endorsement letter are
being circulated.
2005 House Majority Leader W. Ken Martinez and Senator Cisco
McSorley, Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, sponsored the NM
Office of Peace bill in the legislative session. The bill was passed
on the House floor by a vote of 37-22. Committee hearings
were well attended with strong testimony being presented on behalf of the
NM Office of Peace bill. However, the Senate Public Affairs Committee
tabled the bill. We must help the senators understand how the Office of
Peace will benefit the people of New Mexico. Revisions are, once again,
being made to clarify and strengthen the bill. Statewide support continues
growing and is impressive. During sessions people are mobilized to call
their legislators and the Governor's office in support of the bill.
2006 After a brief meeting with Governor Bill Richardson during
his open office hours in January, he declared his support for the
NM Office of Peace bill and said he would sign the bill when
it reaches his desk. This is significant progress. We will follow up by
asking the Governor how he can help us fund the Office of Peace and ask
him to state his support in public before the legislature, perhaps in his State
of the State Address. We continue growing support for the Office of Peace
talking with people, organizations and legislators around the state. The
Office of Peace was a presence at Peace Day at the Legislature and during
the Legislature itself, even though the bill was not introduced during this short
session. The NM Office of Peace is an election issue in election years.
2007 We will try again to pass the NM Office of Peace legislation in both
the House and the Senate and send the bill to the Governor for his signature.
The bill passed out of the Senate Public Affairs Committee on a 6-2 vote
without recommendation and remained in the Senate Finance committee
unfunded when the legislature adjourned.
2008 Funding is the major issue to be addressed. We will continue to
educate and build support among the people statewide and their legislators
and appear before the Legislative Finance Committee requesting funding.
2009 The NM Office of Peace legislation will once again be introduced in
the NM Legislature in both the House and Senate. Hopefully the office will be
fully funded and established officially beginning its vital work with the people
of our state.
You can view the complete revised legislation here.
Peace is Possible. Thank you for helping it happen.
Prepared by Virginia J. Miller, Legislative Coordinator, NM Department of Peace Initiative, Santa Fe NM 505-986-8676
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NM Department of Peace Initiative — 125 Calle Don Jose, Santa Fe, NM 87501 — (505) 438-9693
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