(a) The 1836 Project shall:
(1) promote awareness among residents of this state of the following as they relate to the history of prosperity and democratic freedom in this state:
(A) Texas history, including the indigenous peoples of this state, the Spanish and Mexican heritage of this state, Tejanos, the African-American heritage of this state, the Texas War for Independence, Juneteenth, annexation of Texas by the United States, the Christian heritage of this state, and this state's heritage of keeping and bearing firearms in defense of life and liberty and for use in hunting;
(B) the founding documents of this state;
(C) the founders of this state;
(D) state civics; and
(E) the role of this state in passing and reauthorizing the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Section 10101 et seq.), highlighting:
(i) President Lyndon B. Johnson's signing of the act;
(ii) President George W. Bush's 25-year extension of the act; and
(iii) Congresswoman Barbara Jordan's successful efforts to broaden the act to include Spanish-speaking communities;
(2) advise the governor on the core principles of the founding of this state and how those principles further enrich the lives of its residents;
(3) facilitate the development and implementation of the Gubernatorial 1836 Award to recognize student knowledge of Texas Independence and other items listed in Subdivisions (1)(A)-(D);
(4) advise state agencies with regard to their efforts to ensure patriotic education is provided to the public at state parks, battlefields, monuments, museums, installations, landmarks, cemeteries, and other places important to the Texas War for Independence and founding of this state, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law; and
(5) facilitate, advise on, and promote other activities to support public knowledge of and patriotic education on the Texas War for Independence and founding of this state, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law.
(b) In carrying out its duties under Subsection (a)(2), the project may solicit statements and contributions from intellectual and cultural figures.
Added by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 818 (H.B. 2497 ), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2021.
