Contact:
Rebecca Friedman, Humanists of Washington Secretary
Secretary@HumanistsOfWashington.org
http://humanistsofwashington.org(Olympia, WA, Feb. 5, 2017) — Humanists of Washington celebrates the ceremonial proclamation from Governor Jay Inslee declaring February 12, 2017 “Darwin Day” in Washington State.  The proclamation request was submitted by Rebecca Friedman on behalf of Humanists of Washington, as part of the nation-wide effort spearheaded by the American Humanist Association and the Secular Coalition for America. Friedman’s suggested text was adopted by Governor Inslee, and highlights the importance of scientific discovery, intellectual bravery, and hunger for the truth.  Inslee concluded the proclamation by encouraging “all people in [the] state to join [him] in this special observance.””Humanists value the strength of science in helping us understand and protect our natural world,” said Friedman.  “Darwin Day is more than just a celebration of the man Charles Darwin; it’s a celebration of human ingenuity, intellectual bravery in the face of rebuke, and the promise that science holds in helping secure the future of our planet and its living things.”Washingtonians will gather for Darwin Day celebrations organized by Seattle Atheists in Bellvue, and by Humanists of the Palouse, an interstate group incorporated just across the state border in Moscow, ID.  International Darwin Day was founded by Dr. Robert Stephens in 1993, and is celebrated by freethinking and science-minded communities and institutions world wide.  More information can be found at www.DarwinDay.org.

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