The Honorable Cristina Garcia
Chair, Natural Resources Committee
California State Assembly
Legislative Office Building, Rm 164
Re: Assembly Joint Resolution 9, The March for Science – Support
Dear Assembly Member Cristina Garcia,
On behalf of The March For Science – San Francisco, we are pleased to provide our strong support for Assembly Joint Resolution 9 (AJR 9), which affirms California’s commitment to scientific research, science education, and science-based policymaking. We also stand in strong support with those “Marching for Science” across California and the nation on April 22nd, 2017.
AJR 9 rightly notes that scientific leadership has made California a global center of innovation and discovery. Our state’s economy is driven by basic and applied research in technology, medical sciences, agriculture, clean energy, engineering, biotechnology, and more.
In addition, our public health is protected by scientific research that serves everyone, and not just those in power. With Federal rollbacks of key environmental protections, the defense of independent science in policy-making is more important than ever.
The truth is under attack. Funding cuts threaten research programs at the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Energy, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, national laboratories, and many other agencies. Climate science deniers are hard at work dismantling climate policies. Scientists themselves now face intense personal scrutiny about their research, particularly if it runs counter to the messages of those in power.
The March for Science – San Francisco celebrates public discovery, understanding, and distribution of scientific knowledge as crucial to the freedom, success, health, and safety of life on this planet. We are a nonpartisan group, marching in support of the following goals: Communication, Funding, Policy, Literacy, and Diversity.
As elementary school children we learned with wide-eyed wonder about the importance and value of scientific discovery. We now must stand up for independent, rigorous scientific research and stand against those who would seek to discredit the scientific community. In doing so, we stand for the shared truths that enable our economy to flourish and our health to be protected.
Sincerely,
Steering Committee
March For Science – San Francisco
cc:
Lawrence Lingbloom, Chief Consultant, Assembly Committee on Natural Resources
Rebecca Marcus, Chief of Staff, Assembly Member Mark Stone
Nicole Hisatomi, Assembly Member Mark Stone