(Washington, D.C.) On the anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin, a day known internationally as Darwin Day, the American Humanist Association announced an award to one of the foremost defenders of evolution in public schools. Judge John E. Jones III of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania will receive the organization's Humanist Religious Liberty Award. It will be presented Saturday afternoon, June 7, 2008, at the World Humanist Congress to be held in Washington, D.C.
Judge Jones became nationally famous overnight when, on December 20, 2005, he ruled the teaching of "intelligent design" unconstitutional in public schools. His landmark decision in Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District set off a firestorm of criticism from the right wing. Phyllis Schlafly, Bill O'Reilly, and the Discovery Institute labeled Jones an "activist judge"--he even received death threats. But Jones has stood firm on his decision and remains outspoken on the point that intelligent design is a species of creationism and, as such, is a religious doctrine that cannot be taught as science in public schools.
"We humanists are honored that Judge Jones has agreed to accept the 2008 Humanist Religious Liberty Award and address the international gathering at the World Humanist Congress," said Roy Speckhardt, executive director of the American Humanist Association. "We could think of no better day than Darwin Day to let the world know of this award and his acceptance--and of our support for all that he's done to ensure the religious neutrality of our public schools and a state-of-the-art science education for our children."
Darwin Day is an international humanist celebration held every February 12th to honor Darwin and the modern theory of evolution. Darwin was born in 1809 and this is his 199th birthday. Among the more than 100 chapters and local affiliates of the American Humanist Association, operating in cities from coast to coast, Darwin Day is widely celebrated. More information on specific celebrations worldwide can be foundat: http://www.darwinday.org/.
And next year, in 2009, the celebration will be the largest ever, honoring Darwin's bicentennial. "We are looking forward to the biggest bash of the decade," declared Fred Edwords, the American Humanist Association director of communications.
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