Texas lawmakers have just made it politically correct for teachers to say Merry Christmas in the classroom.
It may be have been a hot 94 degrees outside the capitol, but inside it felt like Christmas for State Representative Dwayne Bohac of Houston. House Bill 308, what Bohac has dubbed the Merry Christmas bill, is now on the way to Governor Rick Perry’s desk.
“It allows school districts to say Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah,” Bohac said.
He got the idea for the bill last December when he picked his 6-year-old up from school.
“I asked him how his day was. He told me excitedly that they had decorated the holiday tree with holiday ornaments,” Bohac said. “I was a little bit flabbergasted and a little bit upset that we’ve become so politically correct that we can’t call a federal holiday by its name.”
The bill not only allows for religious greetings, but also displays of Christmas trees, menorahs, and nativity scenes.
“Teachers have enough on their plate to worry about the school districts going to be sued or if they can call a Christmas tree a Christmas tree,” Bohac said.
Linda Bridges, president of the Texas branch of the American Federation of Teachers says there are more important bills lawmakers should focus on during these last few days of the session.
“I think I can honestly say I’ve never had a question from a teacher about what they can and can’t do around holidays,” said Bridges. “I think we really have to say does this help education when we are caught up in discussions that have become pure partisan discussions that is not the way we should be looking at education.”
The ACLU of Texas opposed the bill. ACLU Spokesperson Tom Hargis, gave FOX 7 News the following statement:
“We hope administrators and teachers remain mindful that it is of utmost importance that it’s parents who teach their children about matters of faith, not public schools.”
He says the ACLU will be monitoring how this plays out during the upcoming school year.
Bohac will too.
“I think there are too many scrooges. Hopefully House Bill 308 will add more magic to the season,” Bohac said.
Read more about the bill here:
https://www.merrychristmasbill.com/