Introduce a Proclamation

What is a proclamation?

A proclamation is a document typically introduced by an executive branch official, such as a Governor, Mayor, or County Executive. Proclamations are not typically legally binding but serve an important purpose as a symbolic pronouncement of the values of a community on a person, policy stance, or idea.

How can I request a proclamation?

To request a National Day of Reason proclamation, you will need to contact staff in the office you are targeting, which is typically the executive branch (Mayor, Governor, County Executive, etc.). In your correspondence, be clear and polite with your request. Introduce yourself, explain your ask, add why the National Day of Reason is important to you, and provide sample language. The easier you can make things for the office, the better!

If the office is amenable to your request, then they will do the work to issue the proclamation. Proclamations typically will not require approval from other persons or bodies; therefore, outcomes could include the proclamation being posted on a website, being affixed with a government seal, being read during a session, or being otherwise entered into official government record.

Sample Language:

“WHEREAS, the application of reason, more than any other means, has proven to offer hope for human survival upon Earth, improving conditions within the universe, and cultivating intelligent, moral and ethical interactions among people and their environments, and

WHEREAS, those who wrote the Constitution of the United States of America, the basic document for governing the affairs of humankind within the United States, based it upon principles delineated within the philosophies distinguishing the historical Age of Reason, and

WHEREAS, most citizens of the United States purport to value reason and its application, and

WHEREAS, it is the duty and responsibility of every citizen to promote the development and application of reason

NOW, THEREFORE, I [name, title] hereby proclaim the 4th day of May, 2024 a

DAY OF REASON

and I encourage all citizens, residents and visitors to join in observing this day and focusing upon the employment of reason, critical thought, the scientific method, and free inquiry to the resolution of human problems and for the welfare of humankind.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I hereunto set my hand and cause the Seal of [government] to be herein affixed.”

Proclamations

Iowa Declares 5th Day of Reason

(May 10, 2019) Governor Kim Reynolds (R) issued a proclamation recognizing a Day of Reason in the state of Iowa. 2019 marks the fifth consecutive year that nontheist activists in Iowa have secured a gubernatorial proclamation.

Cushing, Oklahoma Declares Day of Reason

(May 1, 2019) Board of Commissioners Chair Don Amon issued a proclamation recognizing May 2, 2019, as a Day of Reason in the City of Cushing, OK.

State of iowa declares a day of reason

(May 24, 2018) Governor Kim Reynolds (R) issued a proclamation recognizing a Day of Reason in the state of Iowa. The proclamation request was granted at the request of members of the Central Iowa Coalition of Reason and Eastern Iowa Coalition of Reason.

linn county, ia proclaims a day of reason

(April 24, 2017) Linn County, Iowa has issued a proclamation recognizing May 4, 2017 as a National Day of Reason.

iowa city, ia proclaims a national day of reason

(May 4, 2016) Mayor James A. Throgmorton of Iowa City, IA has signed a proclamation recognizing May 5, 2016 as a National Day of Reason.

denver, co proclaims national day of reason

(May 5, 2016) Mayor Michael Hancock recognizes May 5, 2016 as National Day of Reason in Denver.

Iowa Proclaims National Day of Reason

(May 12, 2015) Governor Terry Branstad recognizes May 7, 2015, as National Day of Reason in Iowa.

Bellevue, Nebraska Proclaims Day of Reason

(April 16, 2015) Bellevue, NE Mayor Rita Sanders issued a proclamation recognizing May 7, 2015 as National Day of Reason.

Pinellas County, FL Board of Commissioners Issues National Day of Reason Proclamation

(April 24, 2014) Recently, the Pinellas County Board of Commissioners in Florida issued a proclamation recognizing May 1, 2014 as a National Day of Reason.

Charlotte, NC Mayor Issues Second Day of Reason Proclamation

(April 30, 2013) Charlotte Mayor & President Obama’s current nominee for Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx has issued his second National Day of Reason proclamation

Nebraska Governor Issues National Day of Reason Proclamation

(May 4, 2012) Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman issued a proclamation recognizing the National Day of Reason.

State of iowa declares a day of reason

(May 5, 2017) Governor Terry Branstad (R) issued a proclamation recognizing May 5, 2017 as a Day of Reason in the state of Iowa. Rocky Gissler, president of the Humanists of Linn County, was instrumental in helping secure this state proclamation.

iowa city, ia proclaims a national day of reason

(April 13, 2017) The Eastern Iowa Atheists have partnered with the Secular Students at Iowa, a secular advocacy student group at the University of Iowa, to successfully lobby the City of Iowa City to issue a proclamation recognizing May 4, 2017  as a National Day of Reason.

Waterloo, IA Proclaims a National Day of Reason

(May 4, 2016) Quentin Hart, Mayor of the City of Waterloo, IA, has signed a proclamation recognizing May 5, 2016 as a National Day of Reason.

Delaware Proclaims a National Day of Reason

(April 25, 2016) Delaware Governor Jack Markell issued a gubernatorial proclamation recognizing May 5, 2016 as National Day of Reason.

Delaware Proclaims a National Day of Reason

(April 29, 2015) Gov. Jack Markell recognizes May 7, 2015 as National Day of Reason in Delaware.

Mayor of Omaha Proclaims a National Day of Reason.

(May 1, 2014) Omaha, NE Mayor Jean Stothert’s issued a proclamation recognizing May 1, 2014 as a Day of Reason.

Rhode Island Proclaims Day of Reason

(April 22, 2014) Governor Lincoln Chafee recognizes May 1, 2014 as National Day of Reason in Rhode Island.

Dunedin, FL City Council Issues Day of Reason Proclamation

(April 23, 2013) The Dunedin City Council in Florida issued a proclamation for the National Day of Reason.

Charlotte Mayor Issues Day of Reason Proclamation

(May 4, 2012) The Charlotte Atheists and Agnostics successfully asked Mayor Anthony R. Foxx to issue a proclamation supporting the National Day of Reason.

Cedar Rapids, ia, proclaims a day of reason

(April 26, 2017) The city of Cedar Rapids, Iowa has issued a proclamation recognizing May 4, 2017 as a National Day of Reason.

Humanists of Cedar Rapids President Roxanne “Rocky” Gissler is pictured above receiving the proclamation from Mayor Ron Corbett and Councilwoman Ann Poe.

colorado proclaims a national day of reason

(May 5, 2016) Governor John Hickenlooper has signed a proclamation declaring May 5, 2016 a Day of Reason.

IOWA proclaims a national day of reason

(May 4, 2016) Iowa Governor Terry Branstad issued a gubernatorial proclamation recognizing May 5, 2016 as National Day of Reason in Iowa.

Cedar Rapids, IA Proclaims a National Day of Reason

(May 12, 2015) Cedar Rapids, IA Mayor Ron Corbet issues proclamation.

Nebraska Proclaims a National Day of Reason

(April 16, 2015) Gov. Pete Ricketts recognizes May 7, 2015 as National Day of Reason in Nebraska.

Nebraska Proclaims Day of Reason

(May 2, 2014) Governor Heineman recognizes May 1, 2014 as National Day of Reason in Nebraska.

State of Rhode Island Declares National Day of Reason

(May 14, 2013) The Humanists of RI and The Secular Coalition for RI are pleased to announce that on April 30, 2013 Governor Lincoln D. Chafee issued a State of Rhode Island Gubernatoral Proclamation officially declaring May 2, 2013 the Day of Reason in Rhode Island.

New Orleans, LA City Council Issues Day of Reason Proclamation

(May 4, 2012) The New Orleans Secular Humanist Association had a request approved by the New Orleans City Council to issue a proclamation recognizing the National Day of Reason.

Omaha, NE Mayor Issues Proclamation Honoring National Day of Reason

(May 4, 2012) The Omaha Coalition of Reason is responsible for this proclamation from Omaha, NE Mayor Jim Suttle honoring the National Day of Reason.