Title: Expressing support for the designation of May 7, 2020, as a "National Day of Reason" and recognizing the central importance of reason in the betterment of humanity.
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
This resolution (1) supports the designation of a National Day of Reason; and (2) encourages all citizens, residents, and visitors to focus on the central importance of reason, critical thought, the scientific method, and free inquiry to resolving social problems and promoting human welfare.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 947 Introduced in House (IH)]

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116th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 947

Expressing support for the designation of May 7, 2020, as a ``National 
Day of Reason'' and recognizing the central importance of reason in the 
                        betterment of humanity.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 1, 2020

  Mr. Raskin (for himself, Mr. Huffman, Ms. Norton, and Mr. McNerney) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
                        on Oversight and Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Expressing support for the designation of May 7, 2020, as a ``National 
Day of Reason'' and recognizing the central importance of reason in the 
                        betterment of humanity.

Whereas the application of reason has been the essential precondition for 
        humanity's extraordinary scientific, medical, technological, and social 
        progress since the modern Enlightenment;
Whereas reason provides vital hope today for confronting the environmental 
        crises of our day, including the civilizational emergency of climate 
        change, and for cultivating the rule of law, democratic institutions, 
        justice, and peace among nations;
Whereas irrationality, magical thinking, and superstition have undermined the 
        national effort to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, and reason is 
        fundamental to creating an effective coordinated response to beat the 
        virus involving the Federal Government, the States, and the scientific 
        and medical communities;
Whereas America's Founders insisted upon the primacy of reason and knowledge in 
        public life, and drafted the Constitution to prevent official 
        establishment of religion and to protect freedom of thought, speech, and 
        inquiry in civil society;
Whereas James Madison, author of the First Amendment and fourth President of the 
        United States, stated that ``The advancement and diffusion of knowledge 
        is the only guardian of true liberty'', and ``Knowledge will forever 
        govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own governors, must 
        arm themselves with the power knowledge gives''; and
Whereas, May 7, 2020, would be an appropriate date to designate as a ``National 
        Day of Reason'': Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the designation of a ``National Day of 
        Reason''; and
            (2) encourages all citizens, residents, and visitors to 
        join in observing this day and focusing on the central 
        importance of reason, critical thought, the scientific method, 
        and free inquiry to resolving social problems and promoting the 
        welfare of humankind.
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