Here is the model language for a resolution that legislators in any state can introduce, get passed, and help make the world a better place.
Title: Stop Dangerous and Antiquated Clock-Changing Federal Daylight Saving Time Mandate
WHEREAS the history of changing clocks relative to the sun for political reasons originated with Ben Franklin, who proposed re-orienting the time to increase productivity as an elaborate practical joke;
WHEREAS the United States has used some version of "Daylight Saving Time" since 1918 when it was rushed into place as a wartime measure after Germany and then England enacted a similar scheme;
WHEREAS after World War I local jurisdictions had some control over how they set their clocks until the passage of the Uniform Time Act of 1966, at which point the Federal Department of Transportation has had ultimate authority and has turned down any efforts by state and local governments to release themselves from time zone uniformity;
WHEREAS uniformity among the 50 states is essential for interstate commerce, even with Arizona and Hawaii being granted a grandfathered exemption;
WHEREAS "Daylight Saving Time" has proven highly beneficial in the early spring, late fall and summer months for health, commerce, recreation and much more, making it highly popular among businesses and the general population;
WHEREAS the overwhelming conclusion of researchers is that the act of changing the clocks twice per year is the direct cause of deadly heart attacks, traffic accidents, workplace injuries, pedestrian deaths, crime, suicides, sleep disruption, and a loss of productivity;
WHEREAS researchers have determined that remaining in Daylight Saving Time year round will save significant amounts of energy in November and February and furthermore will lead to a decrease in childhood obesity by increasing the amount of sunlight after school hours; and
WHEREAS the rationale for switching clocks twice per year to aid in the war effort — while based on faulty science — was laudable nearly 100 years ago, all scientific research and public sentiment now clearly favor remaining in Daylight Saving Time year round.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Legislature of the state of [INSERT STATE NAME] that it is the sentiment of this legislative body and of the people represented by this body that the United States should change what is currently "Daylight Saving Time" to the new "Standard Time" and stay with that time year-round;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution be delivered to the legislative leaders in all of the other 49 states urging them to pass a resolution with essentially similar wording; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution be delivered to the President of the United States, and the Secretary of the Federal Department of Transportation urging the bureaucracy to allow all requesting states to switch to permanent Daylight Saving Time at a uniform date to minimize confusion and disruption to transportation and commerce, and further to allow those states that have not passed this resolution a chance to add themselves to the list of those states endorsing this Resolution to forever put an end to the deadly, energy-wasting, productivity-killing twice-yearly clock changing.
SIGNATURES
Comments