H.R. No. 1141
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Cheerleaders from Kountze High School took a stand
for their freedom of religious expression when they fought for the
right to display banners bearing spiritual messages at football
games; and
WHEREAS, In September 2012, the squad began to include Bible
verses and other religious sayings on the hand-lettered signs that
members of the Kountze Lions football team burst through as they
make their entrance onto the field; the students' actions caught
the attention of the school district, which, out of concern that the
banners would be interpreted as school-sanctioned, ordered them to
desist; and
WHEREAS, Unwilling to back down, the students made contact
with an attorney in Beaumont and filed a lawsuit against the
district; they were soon joined by members of the Liberty
Institute, a nonprofit organization that provides pro bono legal
assistance to clients who believe that their religious liberties
have been violated; and
WHEREAS, Additional support came from across the community
and beyond, as the cheerleaders' plight drew national attention and
ignited a debate on the constitutionality of the district's
decision; Kountze citizens appeared at games with their own signs
hailing the efforts of the cheerleaders, and both Governor Rick
Perry and Attorney General Greg Abbott publicly spoke in their
behalf; and
WHEREAS, In mid-October, the Kountze High School
cheerleaders achieved a significant victory when a Hardin County
district court judge issued an injunction to allow the squad to
display the banners pending the outcome of a trial in June 2013; and
WHEREAS, By defending this small yet meaningful act, the
young women on the Kountze High School cheerleading squad have
delivered a message that has resonated loudly across the country,
and their perseverance has earned them the admiration of many
people; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature hereby commend the cheerleading squad at Kountze High
School for their courage and tenacity in standing up for their right
to express their religious beliefs; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the Kountze High School cheerleaders as an expression
of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.
White
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1141 was adopted by the House on April
10, 2013, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House