Under legislation signed into law by Governor Bill Lee on Tuesday, the Aitken Bible and nine other works—including George Washington’s “Farewell Address” and Alex Haley’s “Roots”—became Tennessee’s first officially recognized state books.
House Bill 1828, sponsored by Sen. Paul Rose of Covington and Rep. Gino Bulso of Brentwood, was passed by lawmakers last month, designating the Aitken Bible—the first Bible printed in the United States during the Revolutionary War—as an official state book in addition to nine other works with various degrees of ties to the Volunteer State.
Party-line legislation was passed, despite Democratic objections based on constitutional issues.
Currently, the only religious book recognized by law as an official state book is the Aitken Bible. It now has Lee’s signature to go with the long list of official state emblems, which also includes the state dog (bluetick coonhound), the state rock (limestone), and the state amphibian (Tennessee Cave Salamander).
A separate bill that would “encourage citizens to learn more about Christian heritage in this state” and declare November as “Christian Heritage Month” is sitting on the governor’s desk, waiting for his signature.
This is the first successful bill to make the Bible a state book, despite the assembly having voted on similar motions several times. A bill that would have made the Bible a state book was vetoed by then-Gov. Bill Haslam in 2016 because to concerns about state and federal constitutions. The House of Representatives attempted to override Haslam’s veto but failed.
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Legislators who had earlier opposed the Bible’s designation as a state book along with other, less significant emblems, now backed this proposal.
“Tennessee does have a rich political and cultural history dating all the way back to its founding on June 1, 1796,” Rose stated last month. “Together, these works help Tennesseans understand American identity, politics and culture.”
Numerous state symbols have already been designated for Tennessee. Legislators declared milk to be Tennessee’s official beverage in 2009. The official state tartan was adopted by the legislature in 1999.
The ancient sandstone figure known as “Sandy,” which depicts a prehistoric Native American kneeling, was named the official state artifact by the Assembly in 2014. Legislators designated the Barrett.50 caliber as the official state rifle in 2016.
Legislators have already declared hot slaw to be the official state dish of Tennessee this year, dubbed Cleveland, TN, “the hot slaw capital,” and are thinking of adding Brenda Lee’s beloved song “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” to the list of official state melodies.
