April 9-12, 2009

Hyatt Regency Bethesda
Bethesda, Maryland (just outside Washington, D.C.)

Please join us as heads of the Centers for Inquiry from around the world gather at this historic event.

There is much to celebrate in 2009. The year commemorates the bicentennial of both Charles Darwin's and Abraham Lincoln's birth and the 150^th anniversary of the publication of On the Origin of Species. We will highlight the significant contributions these renowned figures have played in transforming our world views on science and public policy. CFI/Transnational's 12th World Congress will also be part of national efforts to promote public understanding of science during the 2009 Year of Science. Science organizations around the country will be working to engage the public in science and explain how science works and why it matters in today's complex world. 

Conference rates will be posted soon. Discounts for CFI Friends of the Center. Join today! www.centerforinquiry.net/support

All reservations must be made individually through the Hyatt's reservation department by calling (301) 657-1234, 800-233-1234 or via the reservation website, http://www.bethesda.hyatt.com/groupbooking/bethecfid2009

GUEST ROOM RATES
Special room rates are available for the conference:

Single Occupancy: $149
Double Occupancy: $149
Triple Occupancy: $174
Quadruple Occupancy: $199 
 
Room rates are quoted exclusive of applicable state and local taxes (which are currently 12%) or applicable service, or hotel specific fees in effect at the Hotel at the time of the meeting.

Among the scheduled speakers:

Paul Kurtz, Ph.D. is Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at the State University of New York at Buffalo. He has taught at Vassar, Trinity, and Union colleges. His specialty is the philosophy of religion, ethics, value theory, and the paranormal. He is founder and chairman of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (formerly CSICOP), the Council for Secular Humanism, Center for Inquiry/Transnational, and Prometheus Books. He is editor-in-chief of Free Inquiry magazine, a publication of the Council for Secular Humanism. He was co-president of the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU); a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and Humanist Laureate and president of the International Academy of Humanism. He is author or editor of some 47 books, including Science and Ethics, Skepticism and Humanism: The New Paradigm and the Humanist Manifesto.

Roger Bonnet, Ph.D., is President of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) and Executive Director of the International Space Science Institute (ISSI) in Bern, Switzerland. He is also the former Director of the European Space Agency's science program. He has received numerous honors in astronomy and physics, including the World Technology Award for Space, the Prix Icare des Journalistes Scientifiques, and the NASA Public Service Medal. He is a member of The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, The International Academy of Astronautics, The European Academy of Sciences Arts and Humanities, and The Académie Nationale de l'Air et de l'Espace as well as professor University of Liege, Belgium.

Austin Dacey, Ph.D. is a representative to the United Nations for the Center for Inquiry in New York City, where he works on issues of secular values, science, and ethics. He is the author of articles in numerous publications including the New York Times. He holds a doctorate in applied ethics and social philosophy. His latest book is The Secular Conscience, Why Belief Belongs in Public Life, published this year by Prometheus Books.

Lawrence Krauss, Ph.D. is an acclaimed teacher, lecturer, and prominent theoretical physicist.  His research interests include the interface between elementary particle physics and cosmology.  He has published more than 200 scientific articles as well as a variety of general articles on physics and astronomy.  Krauss has also authored several celebrated books, including the best-selling The Physics of Star Trek. Krauss is the recipient of numerous awards, including the American Association for the Advancement of Science's 1999-2000 Award for the Public Understanding of Science and Technology, the Julius Edgar Lilienfeld Prize of the American Physical Society, the Andrew Gemant Award, the Oersted Medal, and the Joseph P. Burton Forum Award.  He was nominated for a Grammy award for his liner notes for a Telarc CD of music from Star Trek.

Ronald A. Lindsay, Ph.D., J.D. is Vice President and General Counsel for the Center for Inquiry. He has submitted amicus briefs in several prominent Supreme Court cases addressing constitutional law issues, including Marsh v. Chambers, Lee v. Weisman, Washington v. Glucksberg, McCreary County v. ACLU of Kentucky, Gonzales v. Oregon, and Hein v. Freedom from Religion Foundation. Lindsay is an honors graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law and received his Ph.D. from Georgetown University.  His scholarly work focuses on bioethics. His latest book, Future Bioethics: Overcoming Taboos, Myths, and Dogmas, will be released by Prometheus Books in June.   

Elizabeth Loftus, Ph.D. is Distinguished Professor at the University of California, Irvine. She holds positions in the Departments of Psychology & Social Behavior, and Criminology, Law & Society. Loftus's research has focused on human memory, eyewitness testimony and courtroom procedure. She has been an expert witness or consultant in hundreds of cases, including the Hillside Strangler, the Rodney King beating, the Bosnian War trials in the Hague, and the Oklahoma Bombing case. Her book, Eyewitness Testimony, won a National Media Award from the American Psychological Foundation. Loftus has received numerous awards and honors for her research. Among them, she and was voted 58th, and the top ranked woman on the Review of General Psychology's 100 most eminent psychologists of the 20^th century. She received her Ph.D. in Psychology from Stanford University.

Michael Ruse, Ph.D. is Lucyle T. Werkmeister Professor & Director of History and Philosophy of Science Program at Florida State University. His research focus is on the philosophy of the biology, and he is well known for his work on the argument between creationism and evolutionary biology. He has authored or edited more then 30 books including Debating Design: Darwin to DNA, Mystery of Mysteries: Is Evolution a Social Construction? Stem Cell Research, and The Philosophy of Biology.  Ruse is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Royal Society of Canada and has been a visiting professor at universities throughout Europe and North America. He received his Ph.D. in Philosophy at the University of Bristol. 

Toni Van Pelt is Vice President and Director of Government Affairs for the Center for Inquiry Office of Public Policy, headquartered in Washington, D.C. Prior to her reassignment to Washington, Toni was the first Executive Director for the Center for Inquiry/Florida. She is the former Florida state president of NOW and a longtime activist in women's rights issues. With the development of the CFI Travel Club, she has successfully married her past career in travel and business with building the secular community and promoting education.   

The students discussed their many impressive academic achievements and plans for college. To graduate, students must complete 100 hours of community service and have a variety of opportunities. We are grateful that they chose to spend an a few hours with us and hope that we may host future students from the academy!

We wish them the best of luck in their senior year! 

Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS) is a self-empowerment approach to recovery and credits the individual for achieving and maintaining his or her own sobriety. SOS is not affiliated with any religion or secular group (including the Center for Inquiry) and respects recovery in any form, regardless of the path through which it is achieved. The program is not in competition with traditional AA groups, but provides individuals a recovery support system that does not rely on a "higher power" or spirituality. Secular Organizations for Sobriety supports healthy skepticism and encourages the use of the scientific method to understand alcoholism.

SOS was founded in 1985, and in November 1987 the California court system recognized the organization as an alternative to AA in sentencing offenders to mandatory participation in a rehabilitation program.

All are welcome and it is free to the public.  

For more information on this program go to http://www.secularsobriety.org

The blog is located at www.cfidc.wordpress.com.

Check out the blog to see how CFI is promoting and defending science, reason, and secular humanism at the nation's capital!

By Steven J. Winkelman 

Nearly 50 citizens from 12 states traveled to Washington, D.C. to attend the Center for Inquiry's Office of Public Policy's legislative training and citizen lobby event, Civic Days at the Capital, over a long weekend, February 22-25. Attendees talked with more than 31 members of Congress or their staff to voice opposition to pending legislation that defies separation of church and state, controversial judicial nominations and to advance civil rights for women.

CFI Civic Days participants  asked members to support changes to the Charitable Choice provision of The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Act. The measure would allow organizations that receive federal funds to administer the program to hire and fire staff based on religious affiliation. Participants also encouraged their members to support The Fair Pay Restoration Act, which would ensure that victims of workplace discrimination  receive effective remedies. Additionally, they asked members of Congress to table  any controversial judicial nominations that  President Bush has put forward until after the election.  

The Civic Days agenda included briefings on global warming; pending legislation in Congress; CFI's legal work; and ongoing Supreme Court decisions that are eroding civil rights protected by the Establishment Clause. Speakers included NASA emeritus staff scientist Dr. Stuart Jordan; CFI-DC Executive Director Elizabeth Daerr; Office of Public Policy Government Affairs Director Toni Van Pelt; CFI Representative to the United Nations Austin Dacey; and CFI Legal Affairs Director Ronald Lindsay.

Civic Days participants  toured prominent D.C. sites including the Jefferson Library of Congress and the U.S. Capitol Building. The weekend also included a specially designed walking tour to learn about Robert Green Ingersoll's life in D.C. and a trip to the Marian Koshland Science Museum's global warming exhibit.  

Members found the event inspirational, energizing, and enlightening, and many expressed a desire to lobby again in the future. Comments from Civic Days participants include: "I found the experience rewarding and fun"; "Now that I have done it once, I would consider doing it again"; "I think the kind and quality of the events was very well-balanced."; ‘Thanks again for providing so much inspiration and enlightenment over the weekend."

Given the success of the event, the Office of Public Policy plans to hold the Second Annual Civic Days at the Capital spring of 2009. "Attendees were attentive and engaged through out the event," said Van Pelt. "We're looking forward to hosting more people and adding different opportunities next year." CFI Founder and Chairman Paul Kurtz remarked, "We should all be proud to see that CFI supporters from all over the country answered the call to demand the use of science and reason in public policy. Their effort to come-some from as far away as California and Texas-proves that there is a national constituency unwilling to accept public policy and law shaped by religious dogma and distorted science."

Leading universities, industry associations, prize-winning scientists and other organizations, together with thousands of concerned citizens, are asking the 2008 presidential candidates to state their positions on some of the most important issues in our society.  

The next president of the United States will face unprecedented scientific and technological policy challenges and opportunities. Three of these topics poll at the top of voter concerns: the economy and economic competitiveness; healthcare; and the environment. Candidates should have ideas about what kinds of policies will best address these issues, and should inform the voters of their views. 

The goal of Sciencedebate2008 is to find out how aware candidates are of America's major scientific and technological problems and opportunities, and how they propose to offer the kind of visionary leadership and policy solutions that will tackle those challenges. We must ensure America's place as the most scientifically and technologically advanced nation on earth.

To get involved, go to http://www.sciencedebate2008.com/www/index.php

Why should I care about who sits on the federal bench?

The federal court system serves as a crucial protector of our individual rights and liberties. Federal judges rule on constitutional issues that will have an impact on all of us for decades to come, such as abortion, stem cell research, gay marriage, and the torture of detainees. Moreover, federal judges cannot be fired and are often life appointments. In light of these circumstances, the Senate should only approve unbiased, impartial, and non-controversial judges who will actually protect our individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution. Specifically, we need judges who have records of impartiality and adherence to the Constitution and who have consistently supported individual rights. Many of President Bush's current nominees have records of devastating constitutional rights for the disadvantaged and making it harder for people to secure their constitutionally guaranteed liberties. The Senate must act to halt the confirmation of these controversial nominations to the federal bench.

What can I do about who serves on the federal bench?

Although much of the public sees little room for their voices to be heard when it comes to judicial confirmations, you do have a say in the matter! The appointment of federal judges is not a purely presidential decision. The Senate must confirm or reject the President's nominations and Senators will listen to voters if voters make their preferences clear. Communicating with your Senator, whether it be by phone, mail, fax, or otherwise, can make all the difference in the world. Letting Senate members know about your stance on this issue can help secure our rights and liberties by stopping the confirmation of controversial figures to the federal bench. Voters can make a difference and you do have influence in the judicial confirmation process. So let your voice be heard and contact your Senator today!

Send a letter today by going to http://ga1.org/campaign/controversial

Campaign Expiration Date:
May 31, 2008

The resolution is intended to express the official view of the House of Representatives about our nation's history and will be cited by all those who try to impose religious values on the rest of the country, whether through litigation, legislation, or otherwise.  The resolution specifically states that our "educational resources" should reflect the supposed "fact" that religion provides "the inseparable foundation" for this country's "legal systems and societal structures," so you can be sure that those on the religious right will fight to have this misrepresentation of history taught in our schools.  It will also provide a basis for arguing that the Ten Commandments should be displayed in public places and that we should "acknowledge" our religious foundations with officially sponsored prayer and religious ceremonies such as the Pledge of Allegiance.

The resolution should not be considered in isolation.  The proposed resolution forms part of the strategy that the religious right has followed in recent years of trying to give a veneer of validity to government-sponsored religious practices by arguing that these practices simply reflect our heritage rather than advance religion.  Obviously, to the extent that the religious right can cite support for their distorted version of history in official proclamations of Congress, their claim gains more credibility.

This resolution distorts U.S. history and shamelessly attempts to portray religion as the foundation for our government and institutions.  If we ignore this resolution and allow it to be adopted, this historical fantasy may become current reality.  The resolution contains pages of misleading references to the views of our founders.  If you have trouble deciding whether to take action against the proposed resolution, please consider the following accurate quotation from one of our founders, James Madison:  In his famous Memorial and Remonstrance to the Virginia Assembly in 1785, in which he urged the Assembly to reject a bill that would provide funding for teachers of Christianity, Madison stated that "it is proper to take alarm at the first experiment on our liberties." CSH agrees. House Resolution 888 would set a dangerous precedent and it must be rejected.

To participate in the campaign, go to http://ga1.org/secular_humanism/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=7544951&r=

The Honorable Edward Kennedy, Chairman

The Honorable Michael B. Enzi, Ranking Member

On behalf of the Center for Inquiry (CFI), a grassroots organization that encourages evidence-based inquiry into science, pseudoscience, medicine and health, religion, ethics, secularism, and society, we urge you to co-sponsor and support S. 1843, the Fair Pay Restoration Act. This bill will reverse the Supreme Court's misinterpretation of anti-discrimination law and will help stop gender-based wage discrimination by employers.

On May 29, 2007 the United States Supreme Court handed down its ruling in Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber, Co. The Supreme Court decision requires employees who receive disparate pay on the basis of gender to file a claim within 180 days of the first discriminatory payment decision. The employee must file the claim within the 180 day charging period whether or not she/he is aware that a discriminatory payment was issued. The Supreme Court's ruling fails to take into account the realities of the workplace as pay decisions are often confidential making compensatory discrimination difficult to identify. Justice Ruth Ginsburg even acknowledged in her dissenting opinion that "[c]ompensation disparities [...] are often hidden from sight." Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 550 U.S. _____ (2007) The Supreme Court's ruling makes it more difficult for women to file discrimination claims and unduly burdens employees in general. Additionally, this ruling encourages and rewards employers who hide discriminatory pay decisions until the 180 filing period expires.

Congress now has the chance to correct the Supreme Court's decision with the Fair Pay Restoration Act. If passed, this bill will amend Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 to clarify that an unlawful practice occurs each time disparate compensation is paid as a result of discriminatory. Under the Fair Pay Restoration Act the 180 day charging period in which employee would be required to file a claim would begin each time the employee receives a disparate pay resulting from discrimination. This means that each time a woman is paid less than a similarly situated male due to gender, an act of illegal discrimination has occurred. In essence, this bill simply requires equal pay for equal work.

The House of Representatives has already passed the companion measure to the Fair Pay Restoration Act, H.R. 2831. It is now up to the Senate to ensure that victims of wage discrimination can find protection in the courts. We urge you to co-sponsor and support S.1843, the Fair Pay Restoration Act to help stop gender-based wage discrimination.

Thank you for you consideration.