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The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
Tennessee Representative Michael Hale (R-Dist. 40-Smithville) has filed legislation that would authorize local boards of education and governing bodies of public charter schools to showcase foundational documents like the Ten Commandments, the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, the Constitution of Tennessee, and the Bill of Rights where students can easily see the displays.
House Bill 0047 (HB0047) would seek to amend TCA Title 49 and encourage schools to display these documents, “in order to educate students on the historical significance and common cultural heritage the documents have on the principles of the LEA or public charter school, this state, or the United States of America.”
Schools will receive posters or other hard copy, printed versions of these documents free of charge and will be asked to place them in a “prominent location”, namely, “a school entryway, cafeteria, or common area where students are likely to see the display.”
Along with foundational documents for America and Tennessee, schools will also be encouraged to showcase a resolution honoring the history of the school or any other historically relevant documents in the display.
Programs offering Christian education to public school students have been gaining traction across the state, and earlier this year the Aitken Bible (also known as the Bible of the Revolution) was declared an official book of the state along with nine other texts, all somehow significantly linked to Tennessee.
This bill is an excellent continuation of constituent desire to honor and embrace the Christian and conservative foundations of the state.
It also serves as a reflection of not just conservative principles, but as a representation of the full and truthful scope of American and Tennessee history, a battle that rages on in the state and across the nation, evidenced in examples like the recent ruling reinstating a Tennessee teacher who was fired for teaching critical race theory.
As this bill only “authorizes” and does not mandate the displays, there is a decent possibility the bill could pass with minimal resistance from Democrats or RINOs seeking to suppress America’s, and thereby Tennessee’s, unique and powerful history.
Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
