GA Lawmakers file bills to keep holiday merry

[Charlie Brown]

http://www.ajc.com/news/content/metro/1205/09metxmas.html

Two Georgia lawmakers filed bills Wednesday that would expressly prohibit government agencies, including school systems, from barring their employees and students from saying "Merry Christmas," "Happy Hanukkah," or any other expression relating to the celebration of a holiday. The bills probably will be debated in the 2006 legislative session.

State Sen. Ronnie Chance (R-Tyrone) said he pre-filed Senate Bill 369 partly because of reports about a public school principal in northeast Georgia who barred teachers from using the word "Christmas" in reference to their staff party.

"Our First Amendment right to free speech cannot be destroyed by political correctness run amok," Chance said. He added: "I don't believe government was created to be the speech police." State Rep. Clay Cox (R-Lilburn) filed a companion measure, House Bill 950, Wednesday.

Maggie Garrett, legislative counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia, said that teachers and students are allowed to say Merry Christmas and other holiday greetings.

Last week, Gov. Sonny Perdue's office did a quick about-face after a staffer sent out a press release saying the governor would light Georgia's "holiday tree" at the Governor's Mansion. Thirty minutes later, the governor's office sent out a second release clarifying he would actually light a Christmas tree.