On July 31, just a day after this year’s National Whistleblower Day celebration, a resolution designating July 30 as “National Whistleblower Appreciation Day” was unanimously agreed to by the Senate. The resolution encourages each federal agency to recognize the day by sharing the stories of the agency’s own whistleblowers and informing their employees about their right to blow the whistle.
The resolution was introduced by Senator Chuck Grassley, co-founder and co-chair of the Senate Whistleblower Protection Caucus. The resolution has 21 cosponsors, including the other co-founder and co-chair of the Senate Whistleblower Protection Caucus, Senator Ron Wyden, illustrating its bipartisan efforts. Senate Grassley has worked to get such a resolution passed each of the past 11 years.
Grassley has been at the forefront of enacting whistleblower legislation for decades. Most notably, Grassley strengthened the False Claims Act in 1986, saving taxpayers an estimated $75 billion. His speech at the National Whistleblower Day celebration on Capitol Hill emphasized that “Whistleblowers are brave men and women who perform an invaluable public service” who “must be protected.”
Stephen M. Kohn, Chairman of the National Whistleblower Center, uncovered that on July 30, 1778, the Continental Congress passed the world’s first whistleblower law. The Founding Fathers unanimously supported whistleblowers, and whistleblowing is rooted in the nation’s history and tradition. Government records dating back to the American Revolution reveal monetary assistance and anti-retaliation protections for whistleblowers.
“Commemorating National Whistleblower Day continues the tradition established by the Founding Fathers of the U.S. government offering support and acknowledgment to whistleblowers,” says Kohn.
This resolution represents a victory in the fight for whistleblower advocacy. National Whistleblower Day stands for the deep American tradition of supporting whistleblowers. By designating July 30 as National Whistleblower Day, this history is honored.
Chair of the Whistleblower Leadership Council and member of the Board of Directors at the National Whistleblower Center, Jane Turner, explained, “The world needs to know the United States government stands behind whistleblowers, provides recognition, and honors their sacrifices.”
More information about National Whistleblower Day can be found here: https://whistleblowersblog.org/nwd/
