Lesson 4.2 – Model Resolutions for Clubs and Grassroots

The Constitution Protection Act will only succeed if citizens demand it. Civic clubs, grassroots groups, and political organizations can use resolutions like the following to press their legislators, school boards, and public officials to adopt and enforce the principles of neutrality.

Model Resolution – General Version

Resolution in Support of the Constitution Protection Act

WHEREAS, the Founders of the United States fought a revolution to secure liberty against a government that fused creed and power, and declared that no man should be compelled in matters of conscience;

WHEREAS, James Madison warned against “the smallest degree of compulsion” in religion and politics, and George Washington cautioned against factions that would entangle government with creed;

WHEREAS, the Supreme Court has long held that government may not prescribe what shall be orthodox in matters of politics, nationalism, religion, or other matters of opinion (West Virginia v. Barnette), and that devotional exercises directed by government officials violate the Establishment Clause (Engel v. Vitale; Abington v. Schempp), while private religious exercise must remain protected (Kennedy v. Bremerton);

WHEREAS, taxpayer dollars must never be used to coerce belief or compel participation in religious, political, or ideological creeds;

RESOLVED, that this body calls upon the Legislature of Texas (and the Congress of the United States) to enact the Constitution Protection Act, ensuring that:

1. No citizen shall be compelled to affirm or recite beliefs as a condition of education, employment, services, or benefits in any taxpayer-funded institution;

2. No government official shall organize or lead devotional exercises in their official capacity;

3. All publicly funded curricula, training, or programs remain transparent and fact-based;

4. All citizens retain the right to seek judicial relief when compelled by a taxpayer-funded entity.

RESOLVED, that this body shall transmit a copy of this resolution to our elected representatives, local officials, and media outlets, urging their adoption of the Constitution Protection Act.

Model Resolution – School District Specific

Resolution for Neutral, Fact-Based Public Education

WHEREAS, public education must teach empirical knowledge and skills, not impose creeds or compel belief;

WHEREAS, compelled affirmations, identity pledges, and devotional exercises in taxpayer-funded schools violate the First Amendment’s guarantees of free speech and free conscience;

RESOLVED, that this body urges the local school board to adopt policies consistent with the Constitution Protection Act, including:

• Prohibiting compelled affirmations or grading of belief;

• Barring official devotional exercises;

• Requiring transparency of curricula on religion, politics, sex, or identity;

• Respecting parental rights to opt out of non-essential ideological content.

Model Resolution – State/County GOP or Civic Club

Resolution in Defense of Liberty and Neutral Government

WHEREAS, liberty requires government neutrality, free of compelled orthodoxy;

WHEREAS, both socialism and religious nationalism, as well as ideological mandates in schools, violate this principle by using state power to compel belief;

RESOLVED, that this body adopts the Constitution Protection Act as part of its platform and urges its immediate introduction in the Texas Legislature and in Congress.

Usage Guidance

• Each resolution can be downloaded, adapted, and voted upon, by local groups.

• Once passed, resolutions should be sent to legislators, commissioners, school boards, and media outlets.

• Clubs can also post resolutions online to show momentum for legislative action.

With the model law and resolutions in place, we now turn to the path to the Supreme Court — how this framework anticipates the arguments, builds airtight cases, and prepares for the inevitable fight in federal court.