Apparently missing the part about the "separation of Church and State" in the United States Constitution, a Texas lawmaker has introduced a bill that will keep the phrase "Merry Christmas" in public schools... and conservatives are hoping that this initiative gains momentum across the United States.

YNN is reporting that Republican Representative Dwayne Bohac held a news conference at the State Capitol Monday with Santa Claus at his side. Bohac sponsored a bipartisan measure this summer that removes legal risks from exchanging holiday greetings like "Merry Christmas" in the classroom. It also protects holiday symbols such as a menorah or nativity scene. Bohac says it puts a stop to lawsuits against schools in the name of excessive political correctness. The law also states schools can't favor one religious celebration over another.

"There's kind of a wink and a nod that says we want to be as inclusive as possible during the holiday season which is code for, 'Don't say Christmas and don't say Hanukkah,'" Republican Rep. Dwayne Bohac said.

And, according to The Dallas News, the so-called "Merry Christmas" bill is hoping to get traction across the country. Jonathan Saenz, an attorney who heads the conservative advocacy group Texas Values, said such cases could spark future legal action because of the new law.

"We're hoping that, as a result of the Merry Christmas Law, we'll see more school districts taking advantage of this," Saenz said. "And, as a result, we'll see less school districts being naughty and more being nice."

Personally, I believe that the separation of Church and State exists for a reason, and this whole measure is nothing but religious overzealousness passing itself as the law of the land and "family values." Your thoughts?