Individuals:
Ezra Klein (Washington Post): "File this under 'spending less on government does not mean government spends less.' Even getting a little bit better at conflict mediation and nonviolent resolution is the sort of thing that could save us a lot of money -- and other people a lot of lives -- in the long run. I'd like to think that "less unnecessary war" is included in our definition of 'winning the future.'"
Rep. Michael Honda (D-CA) and Dr. Stephen Krasner: “We need vital institutions in this country that have no political agenda and no partisan bias. USIP convenes the left and the right, the civilian and the military, the national and the international players, government officials and the nongovernmental organizations… We can't let this much-needed institution close its doors. While we must tighten our belts, we need to not lose our sensibilities.”
Gen. David Petraeus: "I would like to underscore the importance of the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) to the missions the United States is currently pursuing in Iraq and Afghanistan...I have been impressed with USIP's on-the-ground peacebuilding efforts...USIP's experience working closely with the U.S. military will be a great asset in developing stronger unity of effort between civilian and military elements of government."
Congressman John Lewis (D-GA): "The U.S. government must have options for resolving international conflict other than military action. USIP - created by Congress and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan - is the only independent U.S. government agency that is dedicated solely to conflict prevention and resolution."
Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH): “It is a sad day when the House votes to eliminate one of the few programs in the budget which is dedicated to conflict prevention and non-violence, while at the same time, enabling another $158 billion in the same budget for wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. We have spent $1.1 trillion for war in the past decade, and in striking funding for USIP, Congress has demonstrated that it is on the war path. Everything in the path of war had better take careful notice.”
Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-TX): "With conflicts continuing around the globe, the Institute's expertise and independence is an important resource for both the Secretary of State and the Department of Defense to utilize in protecting our national security and promoting our values of liberty and democracy."
Congressman Donald M. Payne (D-NJ): "The elimination of USIP would have strong, adverse impact on America's national security interests. USIP is an important national security actor...USIP is the critical bridge between governmental and non-governmental actors to promote peace in volatile conflicts."
Former Secretary of State George Shultz: "At a time when our country is grappling with budgetary challenges, the minuscule budget of the Institute—less than one-tenth of one percent of the State Department appropriation—represents a highly effective investment in our foreign policy and national security capabilities."
William H. Zemp, Senior Fellow in the State Dept's Bureau of Political-Military Affairs: "I was the battalion commander that worked with you in Mahmoudiya, Iraq 2007-2008. [USIP's] initiatives helped save the lives of my guys, and gave us other alternatives in nonviolent conflict resolution."
Former Secretary of Defense Frank Carlucci: "Our nation is at war. Now is not the time to cut international affairs institutions like the United States Institute of Peace, which I know well and support fully."
Lieutenant General Robert L. Caslen, Jr., US Army Commanding: "When I first came to Fort Leavenworth after departing Iraq, your organization was one of the first I chose to visit to gain insights on the complex barriers confronting the ability of the agencies and departments of the USG to work together."
Admiral G. Roughead, United States Navy, Chief of Naval Operations: "As we navigate the vagaries of the 21st century, the Navy-USIP partnership has never been more critical. I am grateful USIP remains a reliable and enduring partner of the United States Navy. Your distinctive standing as an independent entity that I can readily turn to for support and guidance is invaluable. I look forward to our future collaboration."
Father Ted Hesburgh, President Emeritus, University of Notre Dame: "The notion that Congress would seek to eliminate funding for the United States Institute of Peace is astounding and painful to our leadership in international affairs and to the cause of peace."
President George W. Bush: "As the Institute leadership, you have demonstrated a remarkable ability to adapt to new challenges confronting Americans...You are an innovative institution that is helping change for the better the way we deal with the world."
President Jimmy Carter: "The U.S. Institute of Peace stands as a monument to those who have dedicated their lives to preventing and resolving conflict."
President William Jefferson Clinton: "...The real differences that now shape our world are not ethnic or religious; the dividing line today is between those who embrace peace and those who would destroy it; between those who look to the future and those who are locked in the past; and between those who open their arms and those who still clench their fists. The right side-the only side-of this line is the side of peace."
Organizations:
Alliance for Peacebuilding: http://www.allianceforpeacebuilding.org/news/59020/We-Are-Actively-Engaged-in-Promoting-Peace-at-USIP-.htm
Connecting Our World: http://capwiz.com/nafsa/issues/alert/?alertid=30832511
National Association for Community Mediation: http://www.nafcm.org/
Peace and Collaborative Development Network: http://www.internationalpeaceandconflict.org/forum/topic/show?id=780588:Topic:377455&xgs=1&xg_source=msg_share_topic
Tweeters:
@YokoOno (YokoOno): Save the United States Institute of Peace - House voted to cut all funding! Sign the petition!http://bit.ly/saveUSIP
@ruchgrac (Grace Ruch): Good morning! Have you written your senator to save #USIP yet? Please do and spread the word! I have talking points if you need them.
@mmhastings (Michael Hastings, Rolling Stone): A friend on the Hill points out: Cutting U.S. Institute of Peace saves us the equivalent of 3 hours in Afghanistan. USIP=3 hours of war...
@cherrygarcia (Ben & Jerry’s): Don't let Congress cut the US Institute for Peace! It could be serious setback for global peacebuilding. Speak up @ http://ow.ly/421tS @USIP
@ PeaceLeadership: Has the #US #leadership COMPLETELY lost its mind? They spend trillions on #war & cut all funding for the Institute of #Peace @USIP? #wakeup!
@PeacePlayers: House votes to cut @USIP funding? Petraeus: USIP "stepped up to the plate" in Iraq & "will be a great asset" in future. http://bit.ly/gReH2I
