Rep. Raymond’s Bill Allowing Schools to Recognize Merry Christmas Passes House
Written by Post Public Information Representative, May 10, 2013, Comments Off
Courtesy David Leo,
(Autsin, Texas)-Rep. Richard Peña Raymond, Chairman of the House Committee on Human Services, passed a bill unanimously 147-0 out of the Texas House of Representatives that authorizes public school districts to recognize traditional winter celebrations like Christmas and Hanukkah. It also allows district personnel to offer traditional greetings like “Merry Christmas” and to display holiday scenes as long as they include symbols of more than one religion or of one religion and a secular symbol.
“This bill allows schools to recognize Merry Christmas without fear of a lawsuit,” Rep. Raymond said. “It is important to recognize the religious and other winter traditions that are so valuable to American culture.”
The bill does not allow school districts to endorse a particular religion but ensures that students and staff alike are free to express their beliefs and share their traditions.
Coauthored by Republicans and Democrats, this bill represents a bipartisan effort to preserve traditions and recognize their contributions to American cultural life. The bill will next be heard by the Senate and, if passed there, will head to the governor’s desk for final approval.
