Kentucky lawmakers have proposed a bill to officially designate Oct. 14 as Charlie Kirk Day, the controversial political activist’s birthday.
Rep. Steve Rawlings of District 11 and Rep. Lindsey Tichenor of District 6 have sponsored Senate Bill 31 following the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination at Utah Valley University.
Filed on Jan. 6, the bill recounts the political career of Kirk, such as the founding of Turning Point USA, a conservative nonprofit organization, his authorship of several books and his public debates on college campuses.
In the wake of his death, he is described as a martyr for freedom of speech, along with his belief in Christianity.
On the day of his remembrance, the bill advises, “Kentuckians are encouraged on Oct. 14, the date of his birth, to reflect on the principles he championed, participate in educational events promoting civic engagement and honor his legacy as a martyr for truth and liberty.”
Rep. T.J. Roberts of District 66 annouced a list of bills he filed for the year’s legislative session on Facebook, including HB 87, the House version of the same bill, with Rep. Josh Halloway of District 10.
It has been sent to the state government, meaning it has been recieved by the House State Government Committee for review on Jan. 14.
In addition, he has filed House Joint Resolution 12, which is to designate a portion of Route 18 in Boone County as the Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway.
Lawmakers in Missouri and Florida have followed suit, proposing similar bills that would designate Oct. 14 as a state holiday to commemorate Kirk.
According to their House of Representatives, the state of Ohio’s Charlie Kirk American Heritage Act has passed the House and is beginning to progress into the Senate.
Some have corroborated the idea of a Charlie Kirk holiday and its intentions to promote free speech. Tobías Duncan, a freshman business administration major, responded to the bill,
“As a Murray State University student, I strongly support this bill and believe that it aligns with our American values such as free expression and civic involvement,” Duncan said. “I think everyone should review this bill. It is important to keep public debates and discussions alive in society.”
