Daily pledge of allegiance would be required in schools

The daily pledge of allegiance would be heard in school classrooms under a bill discussed in an Education Committee hearing Feb. 7.

LB990, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Tony Fulton, would require that all public school students be led in the pledge of allegiance to the United States flag every day school is in session. Students could opt out of the daily pledge. Fulton said all children should learn the importance and meaning of the pledge of allegiance.

“Many schools already have a daily recitation,” Fulton said. “I believe it should be a universal aspect of school life.”

The bill also would require that the U.S. flag and the state flag be displayed in a prominent position in every public school classroom. This provision would apply to each community college and university classroom, as well.

Bob Evnen, state Department of Education president, testified in support of the bill, saying it aligns perfectly with the current revision of social studies standards.

“You cannot have a true and genuine love of country without an understanding of what our country has and has not done well,” Evnen said. “We want students to feel an emotional connection to the history of our country.”

Greg Holloway, representing the Disabled Veterans of America, also testified in support of the bill. He said requiring students to recite the pledge would promote an important part of being an American citizen.

“It’s important that the youth of our nation respect our flag,” Hollway said.

David Moshman, a professor of educational psychology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, testified in opposition to the bill. He said patriotism should be spontaneous and voluntary.

“There’s something problematic about compulsory patriotism,” Moshman said. “To believe that simply saying the words equals patriotism is misguided.”

Jon Habben, executive director of the Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association, testified in a neutral capacity. He said he supported the intent of the bill but was unsure of the potential challenges to its constitutionality.

“If it’s going to be a distraction in the classroom, maybe it isn’t worth it,” Habben said.

The committee took no immediate action on the bill.