Bill would overturn pledge of allegiance requirement

The Education Committee heard testimony March 18 on a bill that would make reciting the pledge of allegiance in public schools voluntary.

LB540, introduced by Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers, would nullify a rule adopted last year by the state Department of Education requiring that all public school students be led in the pledge of allegiance to the United States flag every day that school is in session.

The rule allows a student to opt out of saying the pledge. Chambers said the rule coerces students, teachers and parents to comply out of fear.

“Any child who behaves differently is marked ‘odd child out,’” he said. “There can be serious negative repercussions in a community because some people equate whether or not you say this pledge with being a patriot.”

Mike Lewis, chairman of the Nebraska Secular Advocates, supported the bill, saying that the pledge forces nonreligious people to acknowledge the existence of God.

“Atheists are just as proud to be Americans as people who are religious,” Lewis said. “This rule needlessly sets students and teachers apart, making them seem unpatriotic.”

Representing the Nebraska Disabled Veterans, Greg Holloway opposed the bill. He said the department has the authority to create rules like the one disputed in LB540.

“The Department of Education is entrusted to decide what is in the history books,” he said. “This is no different than setting aside time for the instruction of history within our educational process.”

The committee took no immediate action on the bill.