This blog is made possible by the right to free speech. Freedom of speech would not exist, but for, the men and women who have given their lives in service of  Country. Memorial Day is worthy of not only a statute but of our deepest gratitude.

Take a moment and listen to today’s episode of StoryCorps “Army Couple Deploys To Iraq, But Only One Returns“.

In 2011, the Legislature will confront all sorts of big problems facing the State. This is perhaps the State’s smallest problem but fixing it is easy.

I write this post almost every year and no one listens to me. So I’ll take another bite at the apple here.

Connecticut General Statute Section 1-4 designates the first Monday occurring on or after January 15th as “Martin Luther King Day.”

I think the legislature intended to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. and not his father Martin Luther King, Sr. but I could be wrong.

The Federal Holiday is the “Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.” U.S. Code Section 6103(a).

In 2011, the Connecticut General Assembly should honor Martin Luther King Jr. by amending Conn. Gen. Sec. 1-4 to read “Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.”

First Amendment meet Rockville. Rockville meet First Amendment.

What do you get when you cross Hanukkah, the solstice, and Christmas? Hanasolistmas, of course.

Happy Hanasolistmas to you!

Pictures from the Rockville town green:

Connecticut General Statutes Section 1-4 is one of the more interesting statutes on the books.  Check this out:

When any such holiday, except holidays in January and December, occurs on a school day, each local and regional board of education may close the public schools under its jurisdiction for such day or hold a session of the public schools on such day, provided, if a session is held, the board shall require each school to hold a suitable nonsectarian educational program in observance of such holiday. If a holiday in January or December occurs on a school day, there shall be no session of the public schools on such day.

If I’m reading this right, a local school board could decide to hold school on Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans’ Day,  and Memorial Day so long as there is an educational program in observance of the holiday.

However, there can be no school on Martin Luther King Day and Christmas. Educational programs won’t suffice.

Why is this interesting?

I think it’s an elaborate tap dance by our legislature to avoid the appearance of endorsing religion (yes, I know Christmas is a secular holiday) and at the same time insuring there is no school on Christmas.

The statute smells of a smoke filled room at the Capitol.

Legislator: I want to make sure there’s no school on Christmas. I don’t care about any other holiday but kids shouldn’t go to school on Christmas.

Legislative Lawyer: I’m not sure we can do that. It seems like an endorsement of religion.

Legislator: Make it happen!

Legislative Lawyer: Well, if we said no school on holidays in December and January then it makes it harder to say that we are endorsing religion. Martin Luther King Day isn’t a religious holiday.

Legislator: Brilliant! Write it so that kids don’t go to school on Christmas and Martin Luther King Day!

What’s in a name? – William Shakespeare

Connecticut General Statute Section 1-4 designates the first Monday occurring on or after January 15th as “Martin Luther King Day.”

I think the legislature intended to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. and not his father Martin Luther King, Sr. but I could be wrong.

The Federal Holiday is the “Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.” U.S. Code Section 6103(a).

Perhaps in 2009, the Connecticut Legislature should honor Martin Luther King Jr. by amending Conn. Gen. Sec. 1-4 to read “Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.”