Page 28 - ARUBA TODAY

A28 SCIENCE
Thursday 13 april 2017

Meet the congressman who is pushing for a Charles Darwin Day

SUSAN HAIGH proposed a similar bill in credit that he’s speaking
Associated Press the Senate this year. Such up for this. It’s harder for a
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — proposals, however, don’t non-scientist to do that.”
U.S. Rep. Jim Himes has tak- get very far. Branch said Himes has taken other
en on the role of promot- the legislation is typically pro-science stances re-
ing Darwinism in the House defeated in the House cently, including signing a
of Representatives, saying Committee on Science, congressional letter in De-
he believes it’s the type of Space and Technology by cember to Trump, urging
legislation his southwestern ideologically conservative the president to appoint
Connecticut constituents Republicans who don’t call a “universally respected
want him to pursue at a a hearing on the bill. scientist” to the position of
time when skepticism sur- The bill is unlikely to ever assistant to the president
rounds science. pass Congress, given that for science and technol-
“I represent one of the Darwin, who developed ogy within his first 100 days
most educated districts in the scientific theory of evo- in office — an appoint-
the country. And so, I think lution by natural selection, ment that has not yet been
my constituents expect this was British. made. The president has
of me,” said Himes, who But Holt praises Himes, a not responded.
took over proposing the In this March 20, 2017 photo, House Intelligence Committee former investment banker, Himes drew some criticism
perennial longshot legis- member Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., questions FBI Director James for taking on the legisla- during his last re-election
lation commemorating Comey and National Security Agency Director Michael Rogers tion, which only expresses campaign for proposing
the birth date of Charles on Capitol Hill in Washington, during the committee’s hearing the House’s support in des- the legislation. His Republi-
Darwin from former New regarding allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. ignating Feb. 12 as Darwin can opponent, former Rep.
Jersey Rep. Rush Holt, a presidential election. Associated Press Day, recognizing him as “a John Shaban, called it a
research physicist who is worthy symbol of scientific political stunt and a waste
now chief executive of the sage, he said, is especially “At the end of the day, advancement on which to of time and resources.
American Association for important now in light of policy has to be guided focus and around which to “Indeed, I believe in both
the Advancement of Sci- statements from President by facts and truth,” Himes build a global celebration evolution and that we must
ence. Donald Trump and his En- said. of science and human- pursue balanced polices
Himes said he has cham- vironmental Protection The legislation comes as ity intended to promote a to address global climate
pioned the legislation for Agency chief, Scott Pruitt, lawmakers in at least three common bond among all change, but passive-ag-
several years because who has alarmed scien- states, South Dakota, Tex- of Earth’s people.” gressive resolutions do little
“science and truth remark- tists by saying he does not as and Oklahoma, have Darwin, who was a religious to advance the cause,”
ably always need advo- believe carbon dioxide is weighed bills this year al- person, didn’t let personal Shaban wrote on his cam-
cacy against the forces a primary contributor to lowing teachers to decide bias interfere with him look- paign website.
of nostalgia and fear and global warming. how much skepticism to ing at evidence, Holt said. For decades, there have
irrationality.” That mes- work into lessons on con- That’s a stance worth cel- been efforts to recognize
tentious scientific issues ebrating at a time when Darwin and his theory of
such as evolution and cli- ideology and opinion are evolution, both nationally
mate change. Louisiana, crowding out evidence, he and internationally. The
Mississippi and Tennes- said. “Of course, the Dar- American Humanist Soci-
see have enacted similar win Day legislation is more ety promotes International
laws, according to Glenn symbolic than practical, Darwin Day each year,
Branch, deputy director but there’s an important calling it a “day of celebra-
of the California-based lesson there that public is- tion, activism and interna-
National Center for Sci- sues should be informed tional cooperation for the
ence Education. by the best publicly avail- advancement of science,
Connecticut Sen. Richard able scientific evidence,” education, and human
Blumenthal, a Democrat, Holt said. “It’s really to Jim’s well-being.”q