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S3249
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
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WHEREAS, The application of reason has been the essential precondition for humanity's
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extraordinary scientific, medical, technological, and social progress since before the founding of
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our country; and
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WHEREAS, Reason provides vital hope today for confronting the environmental and
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societal challenges of our time, including:
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• The civilizational emergency of climate change;
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• The advancement of civil liberties for all, including the rights of LGBTQIA+
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individuals and access to reproductive health care; and
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• Cultivating the rule of law, democratic institutions, justice, and peace among
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nations; and
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WHEREAS, America’s founders insisted upon the primacy of reason and knowledge in
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public life, drafting the Constitution to prevent official establishment of religion and to protect
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freedom of thought, speech, and inquiry in civil society; and
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WHEREAS, James Madison, author of the First Amendment and fourth President of the
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United States, stated, "The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true
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liberty" and "Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own
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governors, must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives"; now, therefore it be
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RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby recognizes May 6,
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2026, as a "National Day of Reason"; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby encourages all citizens, residents, and visitors to
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join in the observance of this day and to focus on the central importance of reason, critical
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thought, the scientific method, and free inquiry in resolving social problems and promoting the
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welfare of humankind; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
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transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to John Mertus and Joe Burgio.
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LC006393
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