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Awardees
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James Underdown
Writer, Investigator, Science Advocate
James has been the Executive Director of the Center for Inquiry-West in Los Angeles since 1999. He has written for both Skeptical Inquirer and Free Inquiry magazines, and is Founder and Chair of the Center for Inquiry Investigations Group (founded 2000), the U.S.’s premiere paranormal investigation team. The CFIIG offers a $500,000 prize for anyone who can prove paranormal ability under scientific testing conditions, and has worked with James Randi, and other groups throughout the world.
He is the host of Point of Inquiry, CFI’s flagship podcast, and SkeptiLab: The Bunk Stops Here!, a web series debunking paranormal claims. James also writes two blogs for the CFI main website – Ask the Atheist and Hollywood Reality Check.
Mr. Underdown is a Fellow and spokesperson for the Committee for Scientific Investigation (CSI), and has appeared on many television shows including Battle of the Psychics (in Kiev, Ukraine), Dr. Phil, Miracle Detective (Oprah Winfrey Network – 2011) Weird or What, Freak Show, 1000 Ways to Lie, Penn and Teller’s Bullshit (twice), Midday L.A., Angels vs. Demons, History’s Mysteries, The Oprah Winfrey Show, Hannity and Colmes, Life and Times, Proof Positive, WGN Morning Show, Truth, Lies, And Lewis Black, as well as scores of radio shows and podcasts. 📅 James is the recipient of our Lifetime Achievement Award, and will receive our recognition on Sunday in the mid-afternoon. He will also be a guest of honor at our Supporters' Reception.
He is the host of Point of Inquiry, CFI’s flagship podcast, and SkeptiLab: The Bunk Stops Here!, a web series debunking paranormal claims. James also writes two blogs for the CFI main website – Ask the Atheist and Hollywood Reality Check.
Mr. Underdown is a Fellow and spokesperson for the Committee for Scientific Investigation (CSI), and has appeared on many television shows including Battle of the Psychics (in Kiev, Ukraine), Dr. Phil, Miracle Detective (Oprah Winfrey Network – 2011) Weird or What, Freak Show, 1000 Ways to Lie, Penn and Teller’s Bullshit (twice), Midday L.A., Angels vs. Demons, History’s Mysteries, The Oprah Winfrey Show, Hannity and Colmes, Life and Times, Proof Positive, WGN Morning Show, Truth, Lies, And Lewis Black, as well as scores of radio shows and podcasts. 📅 James is the recipient of our Lifetime Achievement Award, and will receive our recognition on Sunday in the mid-afternoon. He will also be a guest of honor at our Supporters' Reception.
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Sen. Susan Talamantes Eggman
CA Senator from District 5
Susan represents California's 5th Senate District (the Central Valley). With a background as a social worker, educator, and military veteran, Susan has used her diverse experience to be a leading voice in healthcare reform.
Among the secular community, Susan may best be known for authoring California’s End of Life Option Act, which allows for terminally ill patients to seek medical aid in dying.
In addition to her work in healthcare, Senator Eggman has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, authoring AB 960, which ensured that LGBTQ+ couples and families have equal access to legal protections, surrogacy, and parentage. She also championed AB 2719, which added “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to required cultural competency training in health and human services programs.
Her support for SB 379 ensured that California's public schools include accurate scientific content and AB 1506 mandated police shootings of unarmed civilians be investigated.
📅 Susan regrets that she cannot accept our award in person. Someone from her district will be presenting the award at our main event on Sunday, right after we begin the program.
Her support for SB 379 ensured that California's public schools include accurate scientific content and AB 1506 mandated police shootings of unarmed civilians be investigated.
📅 Susan regrets that she cannot accept our award in person. Someone from her district will be presenting the award at our main event on Sunday, right after we begin the program.
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Laura Heywood
Sunday Assembly Organizer
Laura has organized with Sunday Assembly since 2014 and is the Treasurer and a board member for both Sunday Assembly San Diego and Sunday Assembly USA.
📅 Laura is a recipient of our Community Award, and will receive our recognition on Sunday in the mid-afternoon. She will also be a guest of honor at our Supporters' Reception.
📅 Laura is a recipient of our Community Award, and will receive our recognition on Sunday in the mid-afternoon. She will also be a guest of honor at our Supporters' Reception.
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Don Knutson
Volunteer Organizer
Born in Alaska to a military family as a career, Don grew up during the Civil Rights era and studied communal living, learning that competition shouldn't be the essence of life.
Don has participated and organized many local volunteer events.
📅 Don is a recipient of our Community Award, and will receive our recognition on Sunday in the mid-afternoon. He will also be a guest of honor at our Supporters' Reception.
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Danielle Jones
Scholarship Winner
📅 Danielle cannot attend this year's event, but we will read her winning essay on Sunday in the early-afternoon.
To be Announced
Other Winners
📅 The winning submissions will be read in the early-afternoon.