Walker Introduces ‘Merry Christmas Bill’
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 9, 2013
Rep. Walker Announces Intention to Bring ‘Merry Christmas’ Legislation to House in 2014
OKLAHOMA CITY – In what members of the Oklahoma Legislature describe as a “defensive effort,” a measure is being filed today to defend the traditional holiday seasons of Christmas and Hanukkah.
State Reps. Bob Cleveland, R-Slaughterville, and Ken Walker, R-Tulsa, are filing a bill for the upcoming 2014 Legislative session. House Bill 2317 would call for more protections to go into place regarding Christmas and how it is celebrated in schools.
Called the “Merry Christmas” bill, the measure would allow for schools to celebrate Christmas and use religious-based imagery such as nativity scenes alongside other displays such as Christmas trees. It would also allow school faculty and staff to use traditional greetings such as “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Hanukkah” without fear of reprisal.
“The purpose of this Oklahoma Merry Christmas bill is to put a beacon of light, a safe harbor if you will, in the pages of the statutes so that our children, our parents and our teachers can run to a lighthouse whose light shines boldly from the pages of our state’s law books,” Rep. Walker said. “It will declare that we have a right to express our core beliefs and celebrate winter traditions without fear of lawsuit, retribution or reprisal.”
Rep. Walker said there is now a website up so Oklahomans can learn more about the measure.
“We have created a website called MerryChristmasBillOK.com and encourage you to share your own stories, read what the Supreme Court has to say about your religious liberties and follow the progress of this bill,” Rep. Walker said. “We also have created ‘Oklahoma Merry Christmas Bill’ on Facebook.”
Rep. Walker said he was convinced to file this legislation after speaking with Kathy LaFortune, the wife of former Tulsa mayor Bill LaFortune, who said she wants to prevent public schools from being bullied away from celebrating the religious holidays.
“I want our public schools to be able to display Christmas decorations and other significant icons side by side without fear of lawsuits,” LaFortune said. “Teachers should have the freedom to discuss the cultural and historic meanings behind these symbols with our children.”
Rep. Cleveland said he wants to make sure the meaning of Christmas is kept intact.
“Christmas is the time that our founding fathers came here to get away from persecution,” Rep. Cleveland said. “We have the right to freedom and the right to freedom of speech. Simply because we’re in the school house we do not lose that right.”
The measure will be filed today and considered in the upcoming Legislative session set to begin in February. It mirrors that of Texas’ House Bill 308 which was signed into law in that state in June. That bill, authored by Texas state Rep. Dwayne Bohac, is being celebrated this week. He represents House District 138 located in Houston and can be contacted at his Capitol office: (512) 463-0727.
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This bill will violate the Establishment Clause. It specifically only allows the Judeo-Christian religion. That is not allowed. Sorry Mr. Walker, you were supposed to keep your evangelism out of your elected position, you did a good job until this.
-Sincerely, Someone who voted for you.
Great job Rep. Walker!!! Finally a courage man who stands for what he believes, and don’t sit on his butt just looking how his country is destroy by inmorality, satanism, and haters who desired to end our kids joyful celebrations at our schools… Thanks again Mr. Walker, your reward will be greater!
YES YES YES !!!!! Its Time For us as Christians to stand up and come out of the closet and say ” ENOUGH IS ENOUGH !!!! We are offended !!!!!!!!!!!! IF people Knew there history most of the originators of the ” Constitution” were Preachers and evangelical !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go Walker !!!!!!! You are what the Bible calls a ” Watchman ” if people don’t like it, MOVE !!!!!!