Representative wants Pledge of Allegiance recited in English to prevent different cultures in Missouri classrooms.

Intro:	An amendment requiring public schools recite the Pledge of Allegiance only in English has caused the once favored bill to become unpopular.
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OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: Jefferson County Republican Shane Roden sponsored a bill requiring schools who receive public funds to recite the Pledge of Allegiance then offered an amendment forcing schools to say the Pledge in English.

Actuality:	RODEN.WAV
Run Time:	00:15
Description: Unfortunately the vagueness of laws have allowed loopholes and we have found that if we don't specifically state stuff like things have to be said in the English language, it gets taken advantage of and the next thing you know we are reciting our Pledge of Allegiance in Arabic.

That caused a strong, negative reaction in the chamber.

Representatives came to Roden's defense saying the amendment is justified because English is the primary language of the country.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Hannah Knight.

Intro:	A bill requiring public schools to say the Pledge of Allegiance daily became less popular when it was amended to only be recited in English.
RunTime:	0:33
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap:Jefferson County Republican Shane Roden says the amendment to the bill is to prevent languages like Arabic from entering classrooms.

St. Louis County Democrat Genise Montecillo says that's appalling.

Actuality:	MONT11.WAV
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Description: We get closer and closer to the heart of what the underlying problem is. He immediately mentioned Arabic. He's fearful that we may have students, I can't imagine it happening, but heaven forbid that we have students in the state of Missouri that might be reciting the Pledge in Arabic.

The House gave first round approval to the bill and adopted the amendment.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Hannah Knight.

Intro:	A bill requiring public schools to recite the Pledge of Allegiance daily became unpopular when a representative offered an amendment requiring it to only be spoken in English.
RunTime:	0:40
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: Jefferson County Republican Shane Roden sponsored the bill and an amendment saying it was necessary in order to prevent other languages from being used.

While some representatives shamed him, Portageville Republican Donald Rone defended him.

Actuality:	RONE11.WAV
Run Time:	00:19
Description: I would like to remind everyone in this chamber that we are Americans. We are not Arabic. We are not Spanish. If you have the ability to come to this country and become a citizen of this country you should owe us the respect to learn to speak our languages.

The House gave preliminary approval to the bill along with the amendment.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Hannah Knight.