For Immediate Release
Contact:
Merrill Miller, 202-238-9088 ext. 105, merrillmiller@americanhumanist.org
(Washington, D.C., Feb. 5, 2015)—Today the American Humanist Association applauds U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (CT) for introducing Senate Resolution 66, which would formally recognize February 12, 2015, as Darwin Day, a national day to recognize the accomplishments of naturalist Charles Darwin and celebrate the contributions of science to education and humanity.
The resolution was introduced with the support of the Secular Coalition for America, a nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated to amplifying the voice of the nontheistic community and of which the American Humanist Association is a coalition member.
“With climate change deniers endangering our environment and the anti-vaccination movement threatening our children’s health, there has never been a greater need for our politicians to stand up for science,” said Roy Speckhardt, executive director of the American Humanist Association. “Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution has made immeasurable contributions to science and humanity.”
In the past four years, the American Humanist Association has worked closely with members of the U.S. House of Representatives to introduce Darwin Day resolutions. This year the AHA worked with Rep. Jim Himes (CT-04) to introduce a Darwin Day resolution, H. Res. 67, in the House on Feb. 2. Resolutions and proclamations celebrating Darwin Day have also been introduced at the state and local levels. This year, Governor Jack Markell of Delaware, Governor Pete Ricketts of Nebraska, Mayor Jean Stothert of Omaha, Nebraska, and Mayor John Watras of Garden City, New York, have all issued proclamations declaring February 12 as Darwin Day. 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.
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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.