Richard Blumenthal
Senate Resolution 66 (PDF), introduced in the United States Senate on February 4, 2015, would, if passed, express the Senate's support of designating February 12, 2015, as Darwin Day, and its recognition of "Charles Darwin as a worthy symbol on which to celebrate the achievements of reason, science, and the advancement of human knowledge."
Introduced by Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut), S. Res. 66 is the first Darwin Day resolution ever to appear in the Senate. A string of similar bills have been introduced in the House of Representatives, the most recent of which — H. Res. 67 — was introduced by Representative Jim Himes on February 2, 2015.
In a February 5, 2015, press release from the Secular Coalition of America, which worked with Blumenthal on the resolution, Kelly Damerow expressed her "hope that all members of Congress will see these resolutions as a reminder of the historical impact of science on humanity and its continued importance in our everyday lives."
RESOLUTION
Expressing support for designation of February 12, 2015, as "Darwin Day" and recognizing the importance of science in the betterment of humanity.
Whereas Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by the mechanism of natural selection, together with the monumental amount of scientific evidence he compiled to support it, provides humanity with a logical and intellectually compelling explanation for the diversity of life on Earth;
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 education systems of the United States;
Whereas Charles Darwin is a worthy symbol of scientific advancement on which to focus and around which to build a global celebration of science and humanity intended to promote a common bond among all the people of the Earth; and
Whereas February 12, 2015, is the anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin in 1809 and would be an appropriate date to designate as "Darwin Day": Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate —
(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.