Orvil Harris, Plaintiff-appellant, v. State of Oklahoma, Defendant-appellee, 13 F.3d 405 (10th Cir. 1993)

TACHA

After examining the briefs and appellate record, this panel has determined unanimously that oral argument would not materially assist the determination of this appeal. See Fed. R. App. P. 34(a); 10th Cir. R. 34.1.9. The case is therefore ordered submitted without oral argument.

Appellant Orvil Harris brought an action in federal district court seeking injunctive relief against the State of Oklahoma. Harris alleged in his complaint that the State promoted Christianity in contravention of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment by allowing the Holdenville Public School District to include Santa Claus, Christmas trees, mistletoes, angels, and "various religious figures" in the curriculum and textbooks of Parkview Elementary School. Following discovery, the district court granted the State's motion for summary judgment because Harris failed to produce any evidence showing that the State was liable for the actions of the Holdenville Public School District.

We review summary judgment orders de novo, using the same standards the district court applies. Osgood v. State Farm Mut. Auto Ins. Co., 848 F.2d 141, 143 (10th Cir. 1988). Summary judgment is appropriate "if all the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with affidavits, if any, show that there is a genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law." Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c); see Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, 477 U.S. 242, 247-48 (1986). Based on our review of the evidence, we conclude that summary judgment for the State was proper. We AFFIRM for substantially the same reasons given by the district court. The mandate shall issue forthwith.