SB-0121, As Passed Senate, December 11, 2013

SUBSTITUTE FOR

SENATE BILL NO. 121

     A bill to amend 1976 PA 451, entitled

"The revised school code,"

(MCL 380.1 to 380.1852) by adding section 1167.

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

     Sec. 1167. (1) The legislature recognizes that a vital purpose

of education pursuant to the state constitution of 1963 is to

develop good citizens. In order to develop good citizens, an

understanding of American history and America's first principles is

indispensable. The legislature acknowledges that American citizens

must take time to honor the first principles, founders, documents,

and symbols of their history. Therefore, each public school is

encouraged to designate and observe 1 week each school year as

"Patriot Week", to be observed by all public school teachers and

pupils as provided in this section.

     (2) The board of a school district or board of directors of a

public school academy is encouraged to ensure that, during its

Patriot Week, the following instruction is provided to all pupils

in grades K to 12 in an age-appropriate and grade-appropriate

manner:

     (a) Instruction in the sacrifices made by millions of military

personnel and their families in the defense of liberty starting

with the Revolutionary War and progressing to current conflicts.

Discussion should address the historic and modern-day significance

of Veterans' day, Independence day, and Memorial day.

     (b) Instruction in first principles, that affirms that the

rule of law, the social compact, equality, unalienable rights, and

limited government are the first principles upon which America was

founded and flourishes.

     (c) Instruction in the founding documents, that explores how

the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the

Congressional resolution forwarding the Constitution to the states

are key documents that embody America's first principles and have

advanced American liberty.