Apr. 2, 2007 - Nebraska State Sen. Ernie Chambers has confirmed his nontheism to the Secular Coalition for America. Sen. Chambers, who holds the record for longest tenure in the Nebraska Legislature, now becomes the second highest level public servant to self-identify with our community, joining the ranks of U.S. Rep. Pete Stark and three local level elected officials. (Photo by Brent Nicastro courtesy of FFRF, a Coalition member group)
Mar. 12, 2007 - Rep. Pete Stark (D-Calif.), a member of Congress since 1973, acknowledged his nontheism in response to an inquiry by the Secular Coalition for America. Rep. Stark is a senior member of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee and is Chair of the Health Subcommittee. 
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The Secular Coalition for America "Find an Atheist, Humanist, Freethinker Elected Official" Contest
$1,000 winner: Mark Thomas, Mountain View, CA
(L-R): Herb Silverman, president, Secular Coalition for America; Mark Thomas, contest winner; Lori Lipman Brown, director, Secular Coalition for America
Congratulations to Mark Thomas of Mountain View, CA and Bryant Lister of Gresham, OR who nominated Rep. Pete Stark. Based on the rules of the contest, Mr. Thomas won the coin toss and will receive the $1,000 prize. Mr. Lister will receive a $100 consolation prize.
Mr. Thomas is the assistant state director of American Atheists and had this to say:
"I would like to thank Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA) for having the intellectual honesty and courage to openly declare that he is a nontheist. This is especially significant considering the recent attempts by religious leaders to control our nation.
The United States of America was founded as the first country that derived its power from a purely secular, nonreligious basis. To help maintain freedom for all, it is critically important that we preserve the separation of government and religion that is set forth in our Constitution."
The Coalition would like to give special thanks to advisory board member David Niose. Mr. Niose came up with the idea of the contest and helped make it a success.