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 * * * * *