[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6621]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


                 RECOGNIZING THE NATIONAL DAY OF REASON

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                         HON. MICHAEL M. HONDA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 30, 2014

  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Thursday, May 1, 
2014 as the National Day of Reason.
  The National Day of Reason celebrates the application of reason and 
the positive impact it has had on humanity. It is also an opportunity 
to reaffirm the Constitutional separation of religion and government.
  Each day, scientists and engineers in my Silicon Valley district are 
developing innovative new technologies through the use of the 
scientific method and the application of reason. Such advances 
throughout history have offered hope for human survival on Earth, 
improved the conditions within which we live, and cultivated 
intelligent, moral and ethical behaviors and interactions among people.
  Our Founding Fathers based the Constitution of the United States upon 
philosophical principles that have their origins in the historical Age 
of Reason. On the National Day of Reason, we remember and celebrate 
this history, including the First Amendment's guarantee of freedom of 
religion and freedom from the imposition of religion by the state. Our 
nation's founders knew that the best way to protect religious freedom 
was to keep the government separate from religion.
  The National Day of Reason is also a time to continue the effort our 
Founding Fathers began to form a more perfect union, something I work 
toward each day as a Member of Congress. Every year on this day, events 
such as food drives and blood drives are held in which Americans help 
their fellow citizens and our nation as a whole. These community 
service events are just some of the many ways Americans will be working 
to help those in need on the Day of Reason and throughout the year.
  I encourage all citizens, residents and visitors to join in observing 
this day and focusing upon the employment of reason, critical thought, 
the scientific method, and free inquiry to the resolution of human 
problems and for the welfare of human kind.

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