NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A Tennessee lawmaker is already preparing to recognize the Semiquincentennial of the United States by proposing a bill to designate three months to celebrate the founding principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness in the Volunteer State.
Rep. Gino Bulso (R-Brentwood) has proposed a bill to officially designate the month of June as “Celebration of Life” month; July as “Celebration of Liberty” month; and August as “Celebration of the Pursuit of Happiness” month in Tennessee.
According to Bulso’s bill, the idea would be to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence by assigning specific months in the year to celebrate the “unalienable rights” of all citizens.
Bulso settled on June, July, and August for specific reasons, as well, according to the text of the bill.
June would be “Celebration of Life” month because the Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization was handed down on June 24, 2022. The Dobbs decision overturned both previous precedential decisions related to abortion: Roe v. Wade (1973) and Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992). Roe initially protected the right to an abortion prior to fetal viability in America; Casey upheld Roe two decades later.
July’s designation would tie into the principle of liberty as the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776, per the bill.
August, then would be designated as the month for the pursuit of happiness because the vast majority of Tennessee children return to school in August. During a House committee meeting on Monday, March 3, Bulso said the pursuit of happiness begins when children start school.
If passed, the bill would take effect immediately upon receiving Gov. Bill Lee’s signature, according to the bill.
The bill moved forward to the House Judiciary Committee with a positive recommendation of 7-2-1, with Democratic Reps. Aftyn Behn and Vincent Dixie voting nay and Rep. Justin Jones present not voting. Representatives voting aye were Bulso, Rep. Monty Fritts (R-Kingston), Jody Barrett (R-Dickson), Rush Bricken (R-Tullahoma), Tom Leatherwood (R-Arlington) Pat Marsh (R-Shelbyville) and Todd Warner (R-Chapel Hill).
