Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C. July 30, 2015.
Today, by a unanimous resolution the U.S. Senate declared July 30th as “National Whistleblower Appreciation Day.” The resolution comes on the anniversary of the first ever whistleblower protection law, enacted by the Continental Congress 237 years ago, at the height of the American Revolution.
The Continental Congress’s whistleblower law, enacted on July 30, 1778, read as follows:
“That it is the duty of all persons in the service of the United States, as well as all other inhabitants thereof, to give the earliest information to Congress or any other proper authority of any misconduct, frauds or misdemeanors committed by any persons in the service of these states, which may come to their knowledge.”
“Recognizing our Founding Fathers’ strong support for whistleblower is an essential first step in changing the workplace culture that holds whistleblowers in distain and subjects them to illegal retaliation,” saidStephen M. Kohn, the Executive Director of the National Whistleblower Center.
“We commend the Senate for recognizing the historic actions taken by our Founding Fathers, and call upon the House of Representatives and the President to join in this important celebration,” Kohn added.
The NWC is sponsoring a luncheon celebration today at 12 p.m. honoring the contributions of whistleblowers. Among the speakers at today’s celebration are the Senators Charles Grassley, Ron Wyden, Tammy Baldwin, Ron Johnson, Thom Tillis, Tom Carper, Mark Kirk and Representative Jackie, Speier.
For more information visit www.nationalwhistleblowerday.
