Council for a Livable World's PeacePAC
PeacePAC is the arm of Council for a Livable World that identifies the most competitive progressive candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives 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.
PeacePAC was founded in 1981 by Roman Catholic priest Father Robert F. Drinan, a tireless advocate for issues of peace and justice and the first of only two Roman Catholic priests who served as voting members of Congress. Father Drinan held the chairmanship of PeacePAC from 1981-2007. In 2006, Council for a Livable World and its sister organization and research center, Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, established the Father Robert F. Drinan National Peace and Human Rights Award to honor individuals who exemplify the late Father Drinan's commitment to peace and human justice.
Father Drinan was succeeded by former U.S. Representative Patricia Schroeder, who chaired PeacePAC from 2007-2010. Herself the first woman elected to the U.S. Congress from Colorado, Schroeder led the committee through the 2008 elections when PeacePAC helped elect 22 progressive candidates, including Pennsylvania’s Joe Sestak, Maine’s Chellie Pingree, and Maryland’s Donna Edwards to Congress.
In February 2010, Council for a Livable World announced that former U.S. Representative David Bonior would succeed Schroeder as only the third chair of PeacePAC in its 30-year history. After his election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1976, Bonior served what is now Michigan’s 10th district for 26 years, the last ten of which he held the position of Democratic Whip. A dedicated Air Force veteran and public servant, Bonior had a record marked by his advocacy for human rights, civil rights, the environment, and jobs.
Bonior is now working with the PeacePAC Board of Directors to lead the committee and its candidates into the 2010 elections.
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.
