‘Merry Christmas Bill’ forwarded

GOP state lawmaker says he is trying to protect right to observe holidays in school.

A Republican state representative has filed a proposal to make sure students and teachers in Texas can celebrate the holidays at school without fear of retribution.

With the measure he dubbed his “Merry Christmas Bill,” Rep. Dwayne Bohac, R-Houston, said he is trying to clarify the right of public school students and staff members to use greetings such as “Merry Christmas,” “Happy Hanukkah” or “Happy Holidays” on school grounds. He also noted that displays such as menorahs, Christmas trees and Nativity scenes should be allowed at schools.

Bohac didn’t respond to an interview request made through his staff, but in a news release, he said the bill was born out of personal experience he had when he picked up his son from school last year.

After Bohac’s son, a first- grader, mentioned that he and his class decorated a “holiday tree,” Bohac asked school officials why they didn’t just say “Christmas tree.”

“It became apparent that the school was fearful of litigation,” Bohac recalled. “It was that moment that inspired me to file legislation that would provide students, parents, teachers and administrators a safe harbor for openly cele-