Yesterday, Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ) submitted a resolution “[e]xpressing support for designation of February 12, 2013, as Darwin Day and recognizing the importance of science in the betterment of humanity.”

Whereas the validity of Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection is further strongly supported by the modern understanding of the science of genetics; Whereas it has been the human curiosity and ingenuity exemplified by Darwin that has promoted new scientific discoveries that have helped humanity solve many problems and improve living conditions; Whereas the advancement of science must be protected from those unconcerned with the adverse impacts of global warming and climate change; Whereas the teaching of creationism in some public schools compromises the scientific and academic integrity of the United States education systems; … Resolved, That the House of Representatives– (1) supports the designation of Darwin Day; and (2) recognizes Charles Darwin as a worthy symbol on which to celebrate the achievements of reason, science, and the advancement of human knowledge.

Creationists (a.k.a. The Republican faction of the House Science Committee) are going to flip out.

The American Humanist Association worked with Holt’s staff to make it happen:

“When President Obama emphasized the importance of science during his inauguration speech this week, he was also voicing support for the scientific discoveries pioneers like Charles Darwin made,” [American Humanist Association Executive Director Roy] Speckhardt explained. “Darwin changed our understanding of life itself by showing the world, through science and reason, how nature shapes our existence.” Rep. Holt commented, “Only very rarely in human history has someone uncovered a fundamentally new way of thinking about the world — an insight so revolutionary that it has made possible further creative and explanatory thinking. Without Charles Darwin, our modern understandings of biology, ecology, genetics, and medicine would be utterly impossible, and our comprehension of the world around us would be vastly poorer. By recognizing Darwin Day, we can honor the importance of scientific thinking in our lives, and we can celebrate one of our greatest thinkers.”

What should hardly be a controversial resolution will inevitably be seen as part of the atheist/liberal/Communist/Socialist agenda… but it wouldn’t hurt to contact your representative and tell him/her to sponsor this bill.



