SALT LAKE CITY, Dec. 4  -- A Utah state lawmaker says the Legislature will be presented with a resolution asking retailers not to exclude "Merry Christmas" from their holiday greetings.

State Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, said he decided to have the resolution drafted for presentation during the 2009 legislative session after hearing from several employees of a retail store that they were barred from saying "Merry Christmas" to customers, the Deseret Morning News reported Wednesday.

Buttars did not identify the retailer.

"We have a war on Christmas," Buttars said.

The senator referred to the United States as a Christian nation and said the majority of U. S. citizens celebrate Christmas.

The resolution, which Buttars said will be presented to the Legislature next year, would not be subject to enforcement. (UPI)