2026 -- S 3249

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LC006393

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

RECOGNIZING MAY 6, 2026, AS A "NATIONAL DAY OF REASON" IN THE STATE OF

RHODE ISLAND AND AFFIRMING THE CENTRAL IMPORTANCE OF REASON IN THE

BETTERMENT OF HUMANITY

     Introduced By: Senators Valverde, Lawson, Euer, Raptakis, Burke, Dimitri, Lauria, Gu,
Urso, and Felag

     Date Introduced: May 05, 2026

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, The application of reason has been the essential precondition for humanity's

extraordinary scientific, medical, technological, and social progress since before the founding of

our country; and

     WHEREAS, Reason provides vital hope today for confronting the environmental and

societal challenges of our time, including:

     • The civilizational emergency of climate change;

     • The advancement of civil liberties for all, including the rights of LGBTQIA+

individuals and access to reproductive health care; and

     • Cultivating the rule of law, democratic institutions, justice, and peace among

nations; and

     WHEREAS, America’s founders insisted upon the primacy of reason and knowledge in

public life, drafting the Constitution to prevent official establishment of religion and to protect

freedom of thought, speech, and inquiry in civil society; and

     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 knowledge gives"; now, therefore it be

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby recognizes May 6,

2026, as a "National Day of Reason"; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby encourages all citizens, residents, and visitors to

join in the observance of this day and to focus on the central importance of reason, critical

thought, the scientific method, and free inquiry in resolving social problems and promoting the

welfare of humankind; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to John Mertus and Joe Burgio.

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LC006393

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