(KCPW News) Every elementary, middle and high school classroom in Utah would begin every day with the pledge of allegiance under a bill approved by the Senate Education Committee this morning. Freshman Senator Aaron Osmond says the idea came to him after visiting several schools:
“I noticed that in many classrooms, especially in those classrooms where English was a second language as a predominant factor in the classroom, that the pledge of allegiance was observed only in standing up and recognizing that it was happening. But there was little or no participation in the pledge of allegiance by the students themselves,” said Osmond.
Osmond says the pledge is a “reflection of our thought, commitment, and loyalty” to the United States, and added the community is missing an opportunity to reinforce that to students.
Under the Republican’s bill, the pledge could no longer be read over a loud speaker throughout the school. Teachers would instead appoint a student to lead their individual class in reciting the pledge.
“I think that every child should have the opportunity to lead the pledge of allegiance, and reinforce their civic sense of duty and civic sense of gratitude for the many blessings that we enjoy in this country,” said Osmond.
The four Republicans present at the Senate Education Committee meeting unanimously approved Senate Bill 223, which now heads to the Senate floor.
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2 Comments
No one should say the Pledge of Allegiance. It was the origin of the Nazi salute and Nazi behavior. See the shocking old photos in the discoveries of the historian Dr. Rex Curry. Print them in your stories on the Pledge. Inform your readers. Stop the ignorance. The pledge inspired violence, imprisonment, castrations and even lynchings. It continues to inspire bullying and lawsuits. If people were taught the truth about it then no one would perform the robotic chanting on command daily. Stop the Pledge.
Bad bill. The kids who don’t say the Pledge would be even more marginalized than they are now. At least, the aren’t standing in front of the class with that target on their back.