PRINTER'S NO. 2048
No. 1673 Session of 1999
INTRODUCED BY EGOLF, SEMMEL, LUCYK, ZUG, GEORGE, McNAUGHTON,
MASLAND, ORIE, STERN, WRIGHT, ARMSTRONG, FLEAGLE, TRAVAGLIO,
CLARK, FARGO, DEMPSEY, FICHTER, LAUGHLIN, NAILOR, MARSICO,
WOGAN, FAIRCHILD, MAJOR, BARRAR, ROBERTS, DeWEESE, READSHAW,
BELFANTI, BAKER, GIGLIOTTI, ROHRER, TIGUE, DeLUCA,
WOJNAROSKI, HESS, McCALL, FORCIER, CLYMER, LEH, STABACK,
SCHULER, WILT, SAYLOR, SHANER, DALEY, BARD, FEESE, B. SMITH,
GRUCELA, SATHER, CAWLEY, S. MILLER, PETRONE, LYNCH,
E. Z. TAYLOR, DALLY, BENNINGHOFF, SCHRODER, YOUNGBLOOD,
BASTIAN, HUTCHINSON, HASAY, ADOLPH, GEIST, CHADWICK, HORSEY,
PLATTS, TRUE, HARHAI, SOLOBAY AND BROWNE, JUNE 15, 1999
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, JUNE 15, 1999
AN ACT
1 Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
2 act relating to the public school system, including certain
3 provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
4 schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
5 laws relating thereto," further providing for the display of
6 the United States flag and for relating ceremonies.
7 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
8 hereby enacts as follows:
9 Section 1. Section 771 of the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30,
10 No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, amended January
11 8, 1952 (1951 P.L.1856, No.497), is amended to read:
12 Section 771. Display of United States Flag; Development of
13 Patriotism.--The board of school directors in each district
14 shall, when they are not otherwise provided, purchase a United
15 States flag, flagstaff, and the necessary appliances therefor,
1 and shall display said flag upon or near each public school
2 building in clement weather, during school hours, and at such
3 other times as the board may determine.
4 All boards of school directors, all proprietors or principals
5 of private schools, and all authorities in control of parochial
6 schools or other educational institutions, shall display the
7 United States national flag, not less than three feet in length,
8 within all school buildings under their control during each day
9 such schools are in session. In all public schools, the board of
10 school directors shall make all rules and necessary regulations
11 for the care and keeping of such flags. The expense thereof
12 shall be paid by the school district.
13 All supervising officers and teachers in charge of public,
14 private or parochial schools shall [establish and direct the
15 conduct of appropriate daily instruction or ceremonies, or, in
16 lieu thereof,] cause the Flag of the United States of America to
17 be displayed in every classroom during the hours of each school
18 day, and shall offer the Pledge of Allegiance or the national
19 anthem in grades one through twelve at the beginning of each
20 school day. No pupil may be compelled against the pupil's
21 objection, approved in writing, by the pupil's parent or
22 guardian, to recite the Pledge of Allegiance or to sing the
23 national anthem. In addition, the supervisor, officers and
24 teachers shall offer at least one full period per week, for the
25 purpose of affirming and developing allegiance to and respect
26 for the Flag of the United States of America, and for the
27 promoting of a clear understanding of our American way of life,
28 with all of the unparalleled individual opportunities, and our
29 republican form of government, with its responsiveness to
30 majority decisions and demands. Such elements shall be included
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1 in this program as instruction in the fundamental principles of
2 our form of government, an understanding of the provisions of
3 the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the
4 Constitution of the United States of America, the values to be
5 found in the freedom of speech, of religion and of the press,
6 the values to be found in obedience to the laws of the land and
7 the Commonwealth, the importance of exercising the right of
8 franchise, the obligation of every citizen to stand ready to
9 defend our country at all times from infiltration or aggression
10 by those whose acts and ideologies are contrary to our American
11 philosophy of life.
12 Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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