U.S. Representative Jim Himes calls for Congress to honor 206th birthday of Charles Darwin
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Merrill Miller, 202-238-9088 ext. 105, merrillmiller@americanhumanist.org
(Washington, D.C., Feb. 2, 2015)—Today United States Representative Jim Himes (CT-4) introduced U.S. House Resolution 67, also known as the Darwin Day Resolution, which would recognize Charles Darwin’s birthday, February 12, as a national day to celebrate science, education and humanity.
“Charles Darwin’s discoveries gave humankind a new, revolutionary way of thinking about the natural world and our place in it. His insatiable quest for knowledge and decades of meticulous observation and analysis opened new pathways for advancements in biology, medicine, genetics and ecology,” said Rep. Himes. “Without Darwin’s contributions to science, philosophy and reason, our understanding of the world’s complexity and grandeur would be significantly diminished.”
This is the fourth year that the Darwin Day Resolution has been introduced. For the past two years, it was introduced by former U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12) and was also introduced by former U.S. Rep. Pete Stark (CA-13) in 2011.
The American Humanist Association worked closely with Rep. Himes, his staff and other members of Congress to introduce this resolution. The resolution is co-sponsored by Representatives Matthew Alton Cartwright (PA-17), Judy Chu (CA-27), Stephen Cohen (TN-09), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Bill Foster (IL-11), Mike Honda (CA-17), Derek Kilmer (WA-06), Zoe Lofgren (CA-19), Alan S. Lowenthal (CA-47), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Janice Schakowsky (IL-09), Adam Schiff (CA-28), Louise Slaughter (NY-25), Adam Smith (WA-09), and Jackie Speier (CA-14).
“With climate change deniers and others with anti-science views threatening our planet, there is an urgent need for our politicians to openly voice their support for scientists and science education,” said Roy Speckhardt, executive director of the American Humanist Association. “We are grateful to Rep. Himes and the resolution’s co-sponsors for their recognition of Charles Darwin’s contributions to science and humanity.”
Efforts are also on-going to encourage local and state officials to introduce Darwin Day proclamations, which recognize the achievements of Charles Darwin and the continued importance of scientific research. Proclamations from the state of Delaware, the state of Nebraska, Omaha, Nebraska, and Garden City, New York, have been issued, and other proclamations in cities and states throughout the country are planned through February 12.
Darwin Day, founded by Dr. Robert Stephens in 1993, is a project of the American Humanist Association. The American Humanist Association maintains the Darwin Day website, a resource for individuals seeking information about local Darwin Day events in their area, information about Charles Darwin’s life and scientific accomplishments and efforts at the state and local levels to have Darwin Day officially recognized.
###
The International Darwin Day Foundation, founded by Dr. Robert Stephens in 1993, is a project of the American Humanist Association. Its mission is to promote the public education of Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution and to encourage the celebration of science and humanity.
Founded in 1941 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., the American Humanist Association (AHA) works to protect the rights of humanists, atheists, and other non-religious Americans. The AHA advances the ethical and life-affirming philosophy of humanism, which—without beliefs in any gods or other supernatural forces—encourages individuals to live informed and meaningful lives that aspire to the greater good of humanity.