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Legislation Passes Pledge of Allegiance Bill

May 15, 2002
By: Ashley Hall
State Capital Bureau

In August, public school children will have to say the pledge of allegiance at least once week under a bill that has passed in both the House and Senate. Ashley Hall has more in Jefferson City.

Story:
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OutCue: SOC Actuality:
RunTime: 5
OutCue: America
Contents: "I pledge allegiance, to the flag, of the United States of America"

Missouri's public school children will be speaking these words at least once a week starting in August.

The Senate passed a bill today that requires schools to recite the pledge of allegiance.

Sponsor of the bill, Senator Ted House, says the goal of the bill is to increase patriotism.

Actuality:
RunTime: 20
OutCue: in doing that
Contents: "I think that the attack on the nation heightened the sensitivity about the importance of teaching our children our rights and responsibilities as American citizens and helping our children understand the sacrifice that people who've gone before us have made and the importance of being responsible citizens. And while the pledge of allegience is a symbol of that, I think it's an important first step in doing that."

Students are not required to say the pledge if their parents discuss the issue with the principal or teacher.

Ashley Hall, Jefferson City, K-M-O-X news.

Date:May 15, 2002

By: Ashley Hall

State Capital Bureau

Recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance will be a mandatory weekly activity in Missouri Public Schools starting in August. Ashley Hall has more in Jefferson City.

Story:
RunTime:
OutCue: SOC

A bill requiring that the pledge of allegiance be recited in public schools wass finalized in legislation today.

Children will be required to recite the pledge at least once a week, howerver, with parent's urging, children can opt out of reciting the pledge.

Critics of the bill disliked the fact that the pledge was going to be mandated by the state, but the sponsor of the bill, Senator Ted House, responded by reminding them that the state pays for the schools, and so the state should have some say in what goes on there.

Actuality:
RunTime: 11
OutCue: allegiance
Contents: "I feel very strongly that these are public schools, they are certainly authorized and created by the state and that the policy of the state should be that we teach our children patriotism and respect for the American flag and the pledge of allegiance."

The bill is on the governor's desk, waiting to be passed or vetoed. Ashley Hall, Jefferson City, K-M-O-X news.