MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Education

By: Representative Jennings

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO DISPLAY THE TEN COMMANDMENTS IN CLASSROOMS AND OTHER AREAS OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) The Legislature finds the following:

(a) The Declaration of Independence declares that governments are instituted to secure certain unalienable rights, including life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, with which all human beings are endowed by their Creator and to which they are entitled by the laws of nature and of nature's God.

(b) The organic laws of the United States Code and the constitutions of every state, using various expressions, recognize God as the source of the blessings of liberty.

(c) The First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States secures rights against laws respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.

(d) The Tenth Amendment reserves to the states, respectively, the powers not delegated to the United States government nor prohibited to the states.

(e) House Resolution 4154 of the One Hundred Fifth
Congress of the United States provides that the power to display the Ten Commandments on or within property owned or administered by a state is declared to be among the powers reserved to the states.

(f) The Holy Bible contains many important historic facts concerning the progression of the human race that should be imparted to pupils for a complete and well-rounded education.

(2) The school board of a local school district may authorize the display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms and in other public areas of school buildings and facilities.

(3) The Holy Bible may be used as a teaching aid, provided that it is not used to advocate the practice of religion or any particular religious belief.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2000.