Difference between revisions of "Council for a Livable World"

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In 1982, the lobbying tactics of the Council included conducting meetings with newspaper editorial boards and Congressional District Office meetings in key states including New York, Illinois and Florida.<ref name=warcalledpeace/>
 
In 1982, the lobbying tactics of the Council included conducting meetings with newspaper editorial boards and Congressional District Office meetings in key states including New York, Illinois and Florida.<ref name=warcalledpeace/>
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The initial stance of the CLW was extreme:
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:''CLW's major method is to promote U.S. disarmament concessions to the USSR and "non-intervention" against Soviet aggression. Szilard, who died in 1964, called for establishment of a "U.N. Peace Court" at a 1961 Pugwash meeting in Vermont, which would have the power to pass a death sentence on any U.S. citizen or official it deemed guilty of violating "peace" and urged it have power to deputize any and all Americans to execute its sentences. CLW's present stance is much lower in profile.''
  
 
==Nuclear Weapons Freeze==
 
==Nuclear Weapons Freeze==

Revision as of 05:34, 18 March 2010

Council-livable-world.png

The Council for a Livable World was founded in 1962 by nuclear physicist Leo Szilard and other scientists who pioneered the development of atomic weapons and immediately became concerned about their use and spread. It is a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit advocacy organization dedicated to reducing the danger of nuclear weapons and increasing national security.[1]

Mission

The stated mission of the Council is found on their website,

"Our mission is to advocate for sensible national security policies and to help elect congressional candidates who support them."

About

The Council for a Livable World was originally headquartered at 100 Maryland Avenue, N.E., Washington, D.C. When Slizard formed the group in 1962, he declared that the purpose of the group was "to combat the menace of nuclear war." The Council claims to have over 40,000 supporters who contribute to the fund to get progressive candidates into office.[2]

Notable achievements to which the Council supported candidates who were elected have contributed include:[3]

  • Ratifying the Chemical Weapons Convention and Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces, Conventional Forces in Europe, and Strategic Arms Reduction (START) treaty
  • Establishing a U.S. nuclear testing moratorium in 1992
  • Limiting the deployment of the MX missile and B-2 bomber
  • Blocking deployment of National Missile Defense by the Clinton administration
  • Eliminating funding for the nuclear "Bunker Buster" and "Reliable Replacement Warhead"

In 1982, the lobbying tactics of the Council included conducting meetings with newspaper editorial boards and Congressional District Office meetings in key states including New York, Illinois and Florida.[4]

The initial stance of the CLW was extreme:

CLW's major method is to promote U.S. disarmament concessions to the USSR and "non-intervention" against Soviet aggression. Szilard, who died in 1964, called for establishment of a "U.N. Peace Court" at a 1961 Pugwash meeting in Vermont, which would have the power to pass a death sentence on any U.S. citizen or official it deemed guilty of violating "peace" and urged it have power to deputize any and all Americans to execute its sentences. CLW's present stance is much lower in profile.

Nuclear Weapons Freeze

The CLW Education Fund's tax-exempt status was being used to cover contributions to finance the Nuclear Weapons Freeze Campaign based out of the National Clearinghouse, 4144 Lindell Blvd., Suite 404, St. Louis, MO 631OS, pending its own tax-exemption.[4]

Affiliation with Physicians for Social Responsibility

On May 2, 1982, the Council joined with Physicians for Social Responsibility in co-sponsoring a conference on the medical effects of nuclear war. The conference was held in Washington, D.C.[4]

Personnel

Board

As at March 12, 2010, the following served on the Board:[5]

Officers

Board of Directors

As at 1982, the following served on the Board of Directors:[4]

As at March 12, 2010, the following served on the Board of Directors:[5]

National Advisory Board

Staff

As at March 12, 2010, the following were staff of the Council:[6]

Supported Candidates

2010 Candidates

The following are the candidates the Council is supporting in 2010:[7]

2008 Candidates

The Council raised over $1.1 million for supporting progressive candidates for the 2008 election.[2]

Senate Victories

House Victories

Senators Elected Since 1962

Since 1962, the Council has helped elect the following 118 U.S. arms control candidates to the U.S. Senate:[2]

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Dakota

Ohio

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Washington

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

Representatives Elected Since 1962

Since 1962, the Council has helped elect the following 199 U.S. arms control candidates to the U.S. House of Representatives:[2]

Arizona

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oregon

Pennsylvania

South Carolina

South Dakota

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Rhode Island

PeacePAC

PeacePAC was founded in 1981 by Roman Catholic priest, Father Robert Drinan, "a tireless advocate for issues of peace and justice". Since its founding, PeacePAC has endorsed and helped elect 199 candidates to the House of Representatives. In the 2008 election cycle PeacePAC endorsed 31 candidates and raised over $600,000. PeacePAC identifies the most competitive progressive candidates throughout the country, puts them through a rigorous selection process, rallies financial and political support for its endorsees, and keeps them informed on arms control and other national security issues once elected.[8]

Board of Directors

As at March 15, 2010, the following served on the Board of Directors for PeacePAC:[5]

On Feb. 4, 2010, the Council for a Livable World announced that David Bonior would be succeeding Patricia Schroeder as the next chair of PeacePAC, the organization’s arm that endorses candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives. At the time Bonior commented,

“I am honored to be selected as the next chairman of PeacePAC. I look forward to working with the experts on the committee’s Board of Directors to endorse and help elect strong, progressive candidates in the 2010 elections.”[8]

External Links

References

  1. ↑ Council for a Livable World website: Mission
  2. ↑ Jump up to: 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 CLW website: Who We've Helped Elect
  3. ↑ CLW website: Legislative Achievements
  4. ↑ Jump up to: 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 The War Called Peace: Glossary, published 1982
  5. ↑ Jump up to: 5.0 5.1 5.2 CLW website: Board
  6. ↑ CLW website: Staff
  7. ↑ CLW website: Meet Our Candidates
  8. ↑ Jump up to: 8.0 8.1 CLW website: New PeacePAC Chair Announced for 2010 Elections, Feb. 4, 2010
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