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