By Green H.B. No. 2070 77R6883 BDH-D A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to the establishment of Teach Freedom Week in public 1-3 schools. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Section 28.002, Education Code, is amended by 1-6 adding Subsection (l) to read as follows: 1-7 (l) To educate students about the sacrifices made for 1-8 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 shall be recognized in public schools as Teach Freedom 1-11 Week. Teach Freedom Week shall include at least four hours but not 1-12 more than seven hours of appropriate instruction, as determined by 1-13 the State Board of Education, in each social studies class. The 1-14 instruction shall include an in-depth study of the intent, meaning, 1-15 and importance of the Declaration of Independence and the United 1-16 States Constitution, including the Bill of Rights, in their 1-17 historical context. The study of the Declaration of Independence 1-18 shall include the relationship of the ideas expressed in that 1-19 document to subsequent American history, including the American 1-20 Revolution and the drafting of the United States Constitution. The 1-21 State Board of Education shall select a textbook to assist in the 1-22 instruction. During Teach Freedom Week, a school district shall 1-23 require students in grade levels 3 through 12 to recite the text 1-24 quoted below at the beginning of each school day: 2-1 WE hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men 2-2 are created equal, that they are endowed by their 2-3 Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among 2-4 these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of 2-5 Happiness--That to secure these Rights, Governments are 2-6 instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from 2-7 the Consent of the Governed . . . . 2-8 SECTION 2. (a) This Act applies beginning with the 2001-2002 2-9 school year. 2-10 (b) This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote 2-11 of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided 2-12 by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does 2-13 not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes 2-14 effect September 1, 2001.