On the brink of summer, defending Christmas is on the wish list of the Texas Legislature.
The House on Wednesday approved a bipartisan bill that aims to remove legal risks of saying "Merry Christmas" in Texas public schools.
Traditional holiday symbols, such as a menorah or nativity scene, would also win a nod of state support so long as more than one religion and a secular symbol are also reflected.
State Rep. Dwayne Bohac said the bill aims to protect schools from "ridiculous" lawsuits. Said the Houston Republican: "Teachers are fearful of calling a Christmas tree a Christmas tree."
Several Santa Claus impersonators, who were in the House gallery when the bill came up, rang sleigh bells upon the bill's passage.
Copyright AP - Associated Press