78R1753 CAS-D

By:  Smith of Tarrant                                             H.B. No. 303



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to Celebrate Freedom Week in public schools.                         
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 29.903, Education Code, as added by 
Chapter 451, Acts of the 77th Legislature, Regular Session, 2001, 
is renumbered as Section 29.907, Education Code, and amended to 
read as follows:
	Sec. 29.907 [29.903].  CELEBRATE FREEDOM WEEK.  (a)  To 
educate students about the sacrifices made for freedom in the 
founding of this country and the values on which this country was 
founded, the [last full] week [of classes] in which September 11 
falls is designated as Celebrate Freedom Week in public schools.  
For purposes of this subsection, Sunday is considered the first day 
of the week.
	(b)  Celebrate Freedom Week may include appropriate 
instruction, as determined by each school district, in each social 
studies class.  Instruction should include study of the intent, 
meaning, and importance of the Declaration of Independence and the 
United States Constitution, including the Bill of Rights, in their 
historical context.  The study of the Declaration of Independence 
should include the relationship of the ideas expressed in that 
document to subsequent American history, including but not limited 
to the relationship of its ideas to the rich diversity of our people 
as a nation of immigrants, the American Revolution, the formulation 
of the United States Constitution, and the abolitionist movement, 
which led to the Emancipation Proclamation and the women's suffrage 
movement.
	(c)  During Celebrate Freedom Week, a school district may 
require students in grade levels 3 through 12 to study the text 
quoted below:
	WE hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are 
created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain 
unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the 
Pursuit of Happiness--That to secure these Rights, Governments are 
instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent 
of the Governed . . . .
	(d)  The agency, in cooperation with other state agencies who 
voluntarily participate, may promote Celebrate Freedom Week 
through a coordinated program.  Nothing in this subchapter shall 
give any other state agency the authority to develop a program that 
provides instruction unless funds are specifically appropriated to 
that agency for that purpose.
	SECTION 2.  This Act applies beginning with the 2003-2004 
school year.       
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2003.