IV
119THCONGRESS
1
STSESSION H. RES. 376
Expressing support for the designation of May 4, 2025, as a ‘‘National
Day of Reason’’ and recognizing the central importance of reason in
the betterment of humanity.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MAY1, 2025
Mr. R
ASKIN(for himself, Mr. HUFFMAN, Ms. BROWNLEY, Mr. JOHNSONof
Georgia, Ms. T
LAIB, and Ms. NORTON) submitted the following resolu-
tion; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform
RESOLUTION
Expressing support for the designation of May 4, 2025,
as a ‘‘National Day of Reason’’ and recognizing the
central importance of reason in the betterment of human-
ity.
Whereas the application of reason has been the essential pre-
condition for humanity’s extraordinary scientific, medical,
technological, and social progress since before the found-
ing of the United States;
Whereas reason provides the necessary framework for con-
fronting the crises of today, including—
(1) for cultivating our common defense of the rule
of law, the separation of church and state, strong demo-
cratic institutions, justice, and peace among nations;
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•HRES 376 IH
(2) for providing an antidote to the fear and
disinformation that have fed the rise of authoritarianism
in the United States;
(3) for advancing civil liberties and human rights for
all; and
(4) for confronting the civilizational emergency of
climate change;
Whereas America’s Founders insisted upon the primacy of
reason and knowledge in public life, and drafted the Con-
stitution to prevent official establishment of religion and
to protect freedom of thought, speech, and inquiry in civil
society;
Whereas the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise
Clause, grounded in the principle of reason, protect the
rights of people of all religious faiths and of none at all
and ensure the United States remains a pluralistic de-
mocracy capable of withstanding theocratic threats to
secular governance;
Whereas James Madison, author of the First Amendment
and fourth President of the United States, stated, ‘‘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 knowl-
edge gives’’;
Whereas Thomas Paine, an American Founding Father and
luminary patriot of the Enlightenment and American
Revolution, wrote that reason is ‘‘the most formidable
weapon against errors of every kind’’;
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•HRES 376 IH
Whereas, today. some of our Nation’s leaders would replace
knowledge, facts, and evidence with propaganda,
disinformation, and superstition; and
Whereas May 4, 2025, would be an appropriate date to des-
ignate as a ‘‘National Day of Reason’’: Now, therefore,
be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 1
(1) supports the designation of a ‘‘National 2
Day of Reason’’; and 3
(2) encourages all persons in the United States 4
to observe this day and uplift the central importance 5
of reason, critical thought, the scientific method, and 6
free inquiry to resolving social problems and pro-7
moting the welfare of humankind. 8
Æ
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