A budding bill to support youth

Last week, the bipartisan Youth, Peace, and Security Act (H.R.6174) was introduced in the U.S. House by Representatives Meng, Brooks, Phillips and Curtis. This bill will empower more youth to take action, promote peace and build community around the globe.

I’m only 21, but I have been helping lead policy, advocacy and communications operations at a national nonprofit, STAND: The Student-Led Movement to End Mass Atrocities while attending Eastern Washington University. In this position, I work with young people across the country who advocate for less violence and more peace. It’s inspiring to watch student activists organize around a vision of a better future.

To me, peace means shared understanding, compassion, grace. It means building bridges and finding common ground with those from different backgrounds. It means working across the aisle. It means fighting against fascism, violence and cruelty. In short, it means working hard to bring people together, spread love, and solve problems with compassion.

In Spokane, I believe we care about peace — I see it in community institutions, like the Black Lens or the Center for Justice, that promote the betterment of our region. I see it most powerfully in places like the Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane’s young adult program, where youth learn to take action and improve their community. All of this gives me hope.

I implore Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers to become a co-sponsor and Senators Cantwell and Murray to consider introducing it in the Senate.

Jordan Stevenson

Cheney