[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 357 Introduced in House (IH)]

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117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 357

Expressing support for the designation of May 7, 2021, as a ``National 
Day of Reason'' and recognizing the central importance of reason in the 
                        betterment of humanity.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 28, 2021

   Mr. Raskin (for himself, Mr. Huffman, Mr. Pocan, Ms. Norton, Ms. 
   Jayapal, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, 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, 2021, 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 the vital catalyst for confronting the 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 and conspiratorial thinking, and disbelief in 
        science have undermined the national effort to combat the COVID-19 
        pandemic, contributing to the deaths of more than 555,000 people in the 
        United States;
Whereas reason and science are fundamental to implementing an effective 
        coordinated response to beat the COVID-19 virus, which includes improved 
        social confidence in the safety and efficacy of vaccinations and 
        evidence-based solutions to the inequities exacerbated by the pandemic, 
        and involves 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 the 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, 2021, 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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