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AJC.com > Legislature > Blog > Archives > 2006 > January > 31 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USHouse bill protects “Merry Christmas”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Georgia House injected itself into the so-called “War on Christmas” today, passing a bill that prevents state and local governments from banning their employees and students from “verbal expressions” celebrating any public or legal holiday.
“Simply put,in the state of Georgia, it’s going to be OK to say Merry Christmas in the public workplace and in our schools,” said Rep. Clay Cox (R-Lilburn), the bill’s sponsor.
The bill passed the House 136 to 25 and now goes to the Senate for consideration.
Some Democrats questioned the need for the bill.
“I’m just trying to understand why this is not covered by the federal law that allows freedom of speech,” said Rep. Roger Bruce (D-Atlanta).
Rep. Tom Bordeaux (D-Savannah) said he could see the effects of the national debate over “happy holidays” or “Merry Christmas” in the recent holiday season. “People would say to me Merry Christmas, not with the joy of Christ in their heart, not with the joy of light come into a dark world, but as a weapon, as an ax, a banging on the door - a ‘here I’ll show you’,” Bordeaux said.
He cautioned legislators about passing a “bill saying you can say Merry Christmas, when it’s used to pound on people, not love people.
“As a Christian, I don’t believe that’s what my God and savior want me to do, in terms of acting as a legislator,” Bordeaux said.
Some Democrats tried at one point to table the bill, but, when that failed, voted for it.
“I don’t want to vote against Christmas. I love Christmas,” said Rep. Randall Mangham (D-Stone Mountain).
Some conservatives in the recent holiday season declared that there was a war on Christmas and claimed that state workers in Illinois and elsewhere were forbidden from saying “Merry Christmas” at work.
Cox said he heard from teachers, public employees and students who were afraid to say “Merry Christmas, but he provided no specifics.
“This clarifies that in Georgia at least free speech and free expression - especially religious expression - will be protected,” he said.
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