Legislators are proposing placing photos of former Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln in all elementary classrooms. (Photos courtesy of Library of Congress)<\/p>\n
Two military veterans in the Legislature introduced bills Thursday that would require elementary students in Florida to take their classes with former presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.<\/p>\n
The bills, HB 371<\/a> and SB 420<\/a> would require portraits of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln to be hung in a \u201cconspicuous place\u201d in all K-5 classrooms and in social studies classrooms for grades 6-12.\u00a0<\/p>\n The portraits to be used would be determined by the state Department of Education, which would also \u201cmake them available to each school district,\u201d per the bill text<\/a>. The measure would go into effect July 1, 2026, if passed.\u00a0<\/p>\n The initiative was introduced by Sen. Danny Burgess, a veteran of the U.S. Army Reserve and Republican from Zephyrhills, and Rep. John Snyder, a Marine Corps veteran and Republican from Stuart.<\/p>\n \u201cFor years, Florida\u2019s classrooms proudly displayed portraits of George Washington, our first president, and Abraham Lincoln, our 16th president,\u201d Burgess, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education, said in a news release. \u201cThese portraits weren\u2019t just on display to echo lessons to our students; they served as a symbol of the foundation of America and our democracy.\u201d<\/p>\n SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX<\/a><\/p>\n The lawmakers cite the nation\u2019s 250th birthday on July 4, 2026, \u201cto restore a proud tradition that reminds students of the nation\u2019s history, the principles it stands for, and the vision the founders set in motion.\u201d<\/p>\n Burgess in particular cited a trip he took during the summer to \u201ca historic classroom where portraits of Presidents Washington and Lincoln still hung on the wall.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n The portraits would be meant to keep the presidents and their accomplishments in the forefront of student development.<\/p>\n If Washington could fight for independence and Lincoln could unite a post-Civil War nation, \u201cthen our students can overcome the trials and setbacks they face as they grow into their full potential,\u201d Snyder said in a prepared statement.<\/p>\n \u201cAs much as we hope to build a bright future for Florida students, that\u2019s only possible if our students have the foundation of lessons learned from generations past,\u201d Snyder continued. \u201cPresidents Washington and Lincoln are shining examples of servant-leadership, grit, determination, and resolve in the face [of] adversity.\u201d<\/p>\n Last month, Rep. Tom Fabricio introduced<\/a> a bill that would require teachers to take an oath to the Constitution and swear to be nonpartisan. That bill, HB 147, was referred to two House committees.<\/p>\n Gov. Ron DeSantis\u2019 administration is in the process of installing statues<\/a> of founding fathers in Florida counties named after the historical figures in advance of the 250th anniversary. He kicked off the initiative with a statue of Washington in the Capitol and has placed statues of Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin in the counties named in their honor.<\/p>\n Washington, Hamilton, Madison, and Monroe counties await statues.<\/p>\n