Representative Richardson Provides Support for Pledge of Allegiance Act

State Representative Tracy Richardson (R-Marysville) today provided sponsor testimony on House Bill 117, the ‘Pledge of Allegiance Act’, which works to ensure that all K-12 students in Ohio can recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

“HB 117 promotes patriotism and civic engagement while protecting individual and constitutionally guaranteed rights,” said Representative Richardson. “Reciting the Pledge of Allegiance builds nationalism and unity by promising to be faithful to our American values. We live in the greatest country in the world and the Pledge of Allegiance helps to remind us of this.”

House Bill 117 contains the following provisions:

• Adoption of Policy: Each school district's board of education will be required to adopt a policy establishing a specific time and manner for the daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
• Constitutional Protections: The policy will emphasize that no person shall be required to participate in the recitation, and no one's constitutional rights shall be infringed upon in the process.
• Integrity of the Pledge: No school board or employee shall alter the words of the Pledge of Allegiance from the version set forth in 4 U.S.C. 4.
• Encouragement of Civics Education: The bill encourages schools and teachers to develop lessons that foster understanding of the American flag and the Pledge of Allegiance as part of promoting excellent citizenship skills.
• Transparency and Accessibility: Each district board will be required to make its adopted policy publicly available and post it on its website if one exists.
   

This bill awaits further consideration from the committee. To hear the full testimony, click here.