AUSTIN – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued this statement today following the passage of Senate Bill 1396, by Sen. Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston, and Senate Bill 1515, by Sen. Phil King, R-Weatherford. Both bills passed 17-12 along party lines:

“I will never stop fighting for religious liberty in Texas. Allowing the Ten Commandments and prayer back into our public schools is one step we can take to make sure that all Texans have the right to freely express their sincerely held religious beliefs.

“I believe that you cannot change the culture of the country until you change the culture of mankind. Bringing the Ten Commandments and prayer back to our public schools will enable our students to become better Texans.”