By Wohlgemuth H.B. No. 1501 75R6576 ESH-D A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to teaching the democratic values contained in certain 1-3 historical documents in the public schools. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Section 28.002(h), Education Code, is amended to 1-6 read as follows: 1-7 (h) The State Board of Education and each school district 1-8 shall foster the continuation of the tradition of teaching United 1-9 States and Texas history and the free enterprise system in regular 1-10 subject matter and in reading courses and in the adoption of 1-11 textbooks. A primary purpose of the public school curriculum is to 1-12 prepare thoughtful, active citizens who understand the importance 1-13 of patriotism and can function productively in a free enterprise 1-14 society with appreciation for the basic democratic values of our 1-15 state and national heritage. In implementing this subsection, the 1-16 State Board of Education and each school district shall reinforce 1-17 the democratic values contained in historical national documents, 1-18 including the Mayflower Compact, the Declaration of Independence, 1-19 the United States Constitution, and the Federalist Papers. 1-20 SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 1997-1998 1-21 school year. 1-22 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the 1-23 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 1-24 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-1 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-2 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended, 2-3 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its 2-4 passage, and it is so enacted.