1-1     By:  Green, Dutton, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Nelson)  H.B. No. 1776
 1-2           (In the Senate - Received from the House May 9, 2001;
 1-3     May 10, 2001, read first time and referred to Committee on
 1-4     Education; May 11, 2001, reported adversely, with favorable
 1-5     Committee Substitute by the following vote:  Yeas 6, Nays 0;
 1-6     May 11, 2001, sent to printer.)
 1-7     COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR H.B. No. 1776                  By:  Nelson
 1-8                            A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-9                                   AN ACT
1-10     relating to the establishment of Celebrate Freedom Week in public
1-11     schools.
1-12           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-13           SECTION 1.  Chapter 29, Education Code, is amended by adding
1-14     new Section 29.903 to read as follows:
1-15           Section 29.903.  To educate students about the sacrifices
1-16     made for freedom in the founding of this country and the values on
1-17     which this country was founded, the last full week of classes in
1-18     September is designated as Celebrate Freedom Week in public
1-19     schools.  Celebrate Freedom Week may include appropriate
1-20     instruction, as determined by each school district, in each social
1-21     studies class.  Instruction should include study of the intent,
1-22     meaning, and importance of the Declaration of Independence and the
1-23     United States Constitution, including the Bill of Rights, in their
1-24     historical context.  The study of the Declaration of Independence
1-25     should include the relationship of the ideas expressed in that
1-26     document to subsequent American history, including but not limited
1-27     to the relationship of its ideas to the rich diversity of our
1-28     people as a nation of immigrants, the American Revolution, the
1-29     formulation of the United States Constitution, and the abolitionist
1-30     movement, which led to the Emancipation Proclamation and the
1-31     women's suffrage movement.  During Celebrate Freedom Week, a school
1-32     district may require students in grade levels 3 through 12 to study
1-33     the text quoted below:
1-34     WE hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created
1-35     equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain
1-36     unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the
1-37     Pursuit of Happiness--That to secure these Rights, Governments are
1-38     instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent
1-39     of the Governed . . . .
1-40           SECTION 2.  (a)  This Act applies beginning with the
1-41     2001-2002 school year.
1-42           (b)  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote
1-43     of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided
1-44     by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this Act does
1-45     not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes
1-46     effect September 1, 2001.
1-47                                  * * * * *