1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the establishment of Celebrate Freedom Week in public
 1-3     schools.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 29, Education Code, is
 1-6     amended by adding Section 29.903 to read as follows:
 1-7           Sec. 29.903. To educate students about the sacrifices made
 1-8     for freedom in the founding of this country and the values on which
 1-9     this country was founded, the last full week of classes in
1-10     September is designated as Celebrate Freedom Week in public
1-11     schools.  Celebrate Freedom Week may include appropriate
1-12     instruction, as determined by each school district, in each social
1-13     studies class.  Instruction should include study of the intent,
1-14     meaning, and importance of the Declaration of Independence and the
1-15     United States Constitution, including the Bill of Rights, in their
1-16     historical context.  The study of the Declaration of Independence
1-17     should include the relationship of the ideas expressed in that
1-18     document to subsequent American history, including but not limited
1-19     to the relationship of its ideas to the rich diversity of our
1-20     people as a nation of immigrants, the American Revolution, the
1-21     formulation of the United States Constitution, and the abolitionist
1-22     movement, which led to the Emancipation Proclamation and the
1-23     women's suffrage movement.  During Celebrate Freedom Week, a school
1-24     district may require students in grade levels 3 through 12 to study
 2-1     the text quoted below:
 2-2     WE hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created
 2-3     equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain
 2-4     unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the
 2-5     Pursuit of Happiness--That to secure these Rights, Governments are
 2-6     instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent
 2-7     of the Governed . . . .
 2-8           The agency, in cooperation with other state agencies who
 2-9     voluntarily participate, may promote Celebrate Freedom Week through
2-10     a coordinated program.  Nothing in this subchapter shall give any
2-11     other state agency the authority to develop a program that provides
2-12     instruction unless funds are specifically appropriated to that
2-13     agency for that purpose.
2-14           SECTION 2. (a)  This Act applies beginning with the 2001-2002
2-15     school year.
2-16           (b)  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote
2-17     of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided
2-18     by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this Act does
2-19     not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes
2-20     effect September 1, 2001.
         _______________________________     _______________________________
             President of the Senate              Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.B. No. 1776 was passed by the House on May
         8, 2001, by the following vote:  Yeas 147, Nays 0, 2 present, not
         voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.
         No. 1776 on May 25, 2001, by the following vote:  Yeas 140, Nays 0,
         2 present, not voting.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House
               I certify that H.B. No. 1776 was passed by the Senate, with
         amendments, on May 22, 2001, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays
         0, 1 present, not voting.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Secretary of the Senate
         APPROVED:  __________________________
                              Date
                    __________________________
                            Governor