Congressional Declaration of Peace Pledge
A Call Upon Congress to Sign the Congressional Declaration of Peace Pledge:
The purpose of this document is to assist you in securing your Congressional Representatives signature on the Declaration of Peace Congressional Pledge For an end to the US war and Occupation in Iraq.
You and your organization(s) may use one or more of the following forums to let them know you want them to sign on to the Declaration of Peace Congressional Pledge:
- Coordinated e-mail, write in and phone campaigns.
- Delegations to Congressional district offices
- Town Hall Meetings
- Public events (interfaith services; public reading of the US and Iraqi war dead; processions; vigils).
- Confronting members of Congress at public appearances
Resource Highlight:
The Iraqi Civil Conflict: Another Reason for Bringing the Troops Home
by Raed Jarrar (published on July 12, 2006 in Foreign Policy in Focus)
What is the Congressional Pledge?
The Congressional Declaration of Peace Pledge is a commitment by your Representative and Senators to the demands of the Declaration of Peace, and to cosponsor legislation that will create momentum for a comprehensive plan to end the war and occupation of Iraq.
The Declaration of Peace Congressional Pledge specifically asks members of Congress to co-sponsor the following pieces of legislation:
In the US House of Representatives:
H.R.4232: End the War in Iraq Act of 2005 Introduced by Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA)
This bill uses the Congressional power of the purse strings to end the war. Cuts off all funding for U.S. military action in Iraq, while providing for the safe and orderly withdrawal of all U.S. troops. The bill allows spending on reconstruction by agencies other than the Dept. of Defense. Bill Summary/Status Cosponsors
H.Con.Res.348: Expressing the sense of Congress with respect to accomplishing the mission in Iraq Introduced by Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) States that:
- the United States should not maintain a permanent military presence or military bases in Iraq;
- the United States should not attempt to control the flow of Iraqi oil; and
- United States Armed Forces should be re-deployed from Iraq as soon as practicable after the completion of Iraq’s constitution making process or September 30, 2006, whichever comes first.
H.Con.Res.197: No Permanent Bases in Iraq Introduced by Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) Prohibits the U.S. from entering into any military base agreement with Iraq that would lead to a permanent U.S. military presence in Iraq.
In the US Senate:
S.Con.Res.93: Expressing the sense of Congress with respect to accomplishing the mission in Iraq Introduced by Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA)
Companion bill to H.Con.Res. 348, Introduced by Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA):
- The U.S. should not maintain a permanent military presence or military bases in Iraq;
- U.S. should not attempt to control the flow of Iraqi oil; and,
- U.S. armed forces should be re-deployed from Iraq as soon as practicable after the completion of Iraq’s constitution-making process, or by December 31, 2006.
Check to see if your Representative has signed on to these or other anti-war resolutions at the United for Peace and Justice website (scroll down to “How does your Representative Stand on the Iraq War?”). You can find additional information on other legislation on Iraq and Iran on this website. More background information on House and Senate action on the war is available here.
There are no Senate co-sponsors on the Harkin resolution, so every member of the Senate has to get pressure to sign on!
If you are not sure who your Represents you in the House and the Senate, Project Vote Smart can help you get the details. Simply go to http://www.vote-smart.org and enter your nine-digit zip code in the “Find Your Representative” box at the upper left-hand search box at the top of the page. (If you do not know your full zip code, the website provides you with an opportunity to find it.) By clicking on the names of legislators, you will be taken to a page with their background information as well as their contact details for both their Washington, D.C. and in-district offices.
Contact your Representative and Senators: Ask them to sign the Pledge
If your Congresspersons are either sponsors or cosponsors of all the above bills then call, email or fax them thanking them for the strong support in ending the US war and Occupation of Iraq. They still should be asked to sign the Declaration of Peace Congressional Pledge!
Remember that (unless you live in Washington DC or one of the US territories) you have one Representative and two Senators – you need to contact all three!)
Your initial contact should be a phone call.
Call the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 to reach any office (House or Senate). Tell the person who answers the phone that you’re a constituent from [your town], and you’d like to make a request regarding Iraq policy. Ask to speak to the Legislative Director or the Legislative Assistant on Iraq Policy. Since this is your initial contact, keep things brief and businesslike. This is not the time to argue with the staff person (that will probably come later!)
Sample script:
Identify yourself and your organization
I am participating in the Declaration of Peace, and have committed myself to working for a comprehensive, concrete and rapid plan to end the US war and occupation in Iraq,
I would like Representative/Senator X to join me in this pledge. Can I email you a copy of the pledge for his/her consideration?
Should I send it directly to you?
What is your email address?
[Make sure you get the name and the correct email of the person you should send the email to]
Thank you
Next, send an email with a copy of the pledge.
This will work best as part of a coordinated email campaign – get as many similar emails to each office as possible!
Sample email
The US war in Iraq is an endless fire consuming lives, resources, and the fragile possibilities of peace. Every day that Congress refuses to act to end the Iraq war, an average of 2 U.S. soldiers dies, along with dozens of innocent Iraqi people. Instead of quenching this fire, the US occupation intensifies it. As Lt. Gen. William E. Odom, former director of the National Security Agency, put it in a recent sharply worded article in Foreign Policy, “America must withdraw from Iraq now.”
Most Americans, Iraqis and even U.S. service members agree that the U.S. military needs to get out of Iraq.
I know that you support the U.S. troops and want them to come home safely. I ask you to show your commitment to ending the war in Iraq by signing the Declaration of Peace Congressional Pledge:
[you should include the pledge in the text of the email and as an attachment]
I will call you next week to follow up on this request.
Thank you,
Your name, email and address
Follow-up
After one week, call your contact back and ask if the Rep./Sen. has signed the pledge, or if they plan to sign it.
If yes – thank them and ask them what pieces of legislation they will co-sponsor (if they agree to sign this pledge, they have probably already signed on to most of the legislation!) Ask them to send you a copy of the pledge. Write a letter to the editor praising this politician for courage and leadership etc.
If no – ask why not, try to get specifics. This is important so that you can address their concerns if they are just minor. If the politician supports the war, make the staff person tell you why. Don’t argue! It will be frustrating, but you will have more power if you don’t argue now. Get as much information as you can on the Congressperson’s views, so that you can gather facts to counter them.
Please share the answer you get with us at: . Send an email that includes: (1) Your name; (2) Your organization; (3) Your Representative/Senator’s name; and (4) The answer you received, and their reasons why. This will help us track action and response.
If they Refuse to Sign the Pledge:
If your Representative and/or Senators refused to sign the pledge – design a campaign to move them one, or two, or more steps closer to opposing the war. Consider using Constituent pressure along with Public pressure.
Forms of Constituent Pressure
Write:
Send letters or postcards to the LOCAL office (find the address at http://www.vote-smart.org). Keep the letters short, to the point and polite.
Email:
Organize an e-mail campaign, but remember that these are most effective if people use their own words, and if e-mails are sent via the Rep./Sen.’s own website.
Local meetings:
Congress is on recess from the beginning of August through Labor Day, in September they will have shorter work weeks and will probably be in their districts from Thursday night – Tuesday morning. Call now to make an appointment to meet with them. You will have a better chance of getting a meeting with your Rep. or Senator if you organize a strong delegation to attend the meeting. Invite veterans of the Iraq war or their family members, members of the clergy, the business community, and other community leaders.
You can find local contact information for your legislators at: Project Vote Smart .
Call the office that you want to visit and explain that you would like to meet with the legislator and why. Tell the person you speak to that you are a constituent. They will probably ask you to fax in or e-mail the request.
Additionally here is some guidance for an effective meeting:
Make an Appointment:
No one likes people to “stop by” unannounced. When you do so, you are likely to get the cold shoulder. Always contact the office to set up a meeting even with staff. This shows respect for their time, and makes it more likely that you will meet with the right person(s). When you request the meeting, be sure to give the name of the organization, the purpose of the meeting, and how many people will be attending it.
Plan Your Visit Carefully:
Know where your legislator stands on the war (you have already gathered information on the UFPJ website, and in your conversation with the staff person). The delegation should meet in advance of the meeting to assign a note taker, a facilitator and decide who will speak when and to what issue. If you have a vet or a military family member, make sure they play a major role in the meeting and are able to tell their story.
Be Prompt and Patient:
When it is time to meet, be punctual and be patient. It is not uncommon in a busy legislator’s office to have to wait because of constantly changing schedules.
Be Prepared:
Whenever possible, bring to the meeting information and materials supporting your position.
Be Concrete:
Be clear on your “demand” and ask for a commitment to their Signing the Declaration of Peace Congressional Pledge. If they are not ready to sign the pledge, ask them for a commitment to co-sponsor legislation.
Follow Up:
Follow up the meeting with a thank you letter that outlines the different points covered during the meeting, and send along any additional information and materials requested. If you asked for a commitment but did not get one, repeat the request and note that you look forward to a response.
Also follow up with a letter to the editor reporting on the meeting for all the constituents who were not there!