Minneapolis, Minnesota-  There are official national symbols and there are official state symbols. The apple is New York’s official state fruit, the valley quail is California’s official state bird, the wood violet is Illinois’ official state flower, and humuhumunukunukuapua’a is Hawaii’s official state fish.

Soon, the bible will become Louisiana’s official state book. By a vote of 8-5, a committee of the Louisiana House yesterday advanced a bill that would make the bible the official state book.

Rep. Thomas Carmody, R-Shreveport, said he sponsored the proposal after a constituent made the request. But Carmody insisted the bill wasn’t designed to be a state endorsement of Christianity or a specific religion. “It’s not to the exclusion of anyone else’s sacred literature,” he told the House committee.

Enter Michele Bachmann, U.S. representative from Minnesota. She loves the idea so much she is taking the proposal to a national level. The congresswoman is busy drafting legislation that would make the bible the country’s official book. “This is an opportune time to introduce this bill considering that next week marks Christianity’s Holy Week leading up to Easter,” Bachmann said.

Asked by The Adobo Chronicles which version of the bible she would be proposing as the official national book of the U.S., Bachmann replied, “I will get back to you on that. I didn’t realize there was more than one version of the bible.”