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                                                      PRINTER'S NO. 1126

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA


SENATE BILL

No. 973 Session of 1999


        INTRODUCED BY MUSTO, HELFRICK, STOUT, BELAN, COSTA, O'PAKE,
           SALVATORE, SLOCUM, SCHWARTZ, HART, KASUNIC AND ROBBINS,
           MAY 12, 1999

        REFERRED TO EDUCATION, MAY 12, 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 United
     6     States Flag and patriotism.

     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,
    16  and shall display said flag upon or near each public school
    17  building in clement weather, during school hours, and at such
    18  other times as the board may determine.
    19     All boards of school directors, all proprietors or principals


     1  of private schools, and all authorities in control of parochial
     2  schools or other educational institutions, shall display the
     3  United States national flag, not less than three feet in length,
     4  within all school buildings under their control during each day
     5  such schools are in session. In all public schools, the board of
     6  school directors shall make all rules and necessary regulations
     7  for the care and keeping of such flags. The expense thereof
     8  shall be paid by the school district.
     9     All supervising officers and teachers in charge of public,
    10  private or parochial schools shall establish and direct the
    11  conduct of appropriate daily instruction [or ceremonies,] or, in
    12  lieu thereof, at least one full period per week, for the purpose
    13  of affirming and developing allegiance to and respect for the
    14  Flag of the United States of America, and for the promoting of a
    15  clear understanding of our American way of life, with all of the
    16  unparalleled individual opportunities, and our republican form
    17  of government, with its responsiveness to majority decisions and
    18  demands. Such elements shall be included in this program as
    19  instruction in the fundamental principles of our form of
    20  government, an understanding of the provisions of the
    21  Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the
    22  Constitution of the United States of America, the values to be
    23  found in the freedom of speech, of religion and of the press,
    24  the values to be found in obedience to the laws of the land and
    25  the Commonwealth, the importance of exercising the right of
    26  franchise, the obligation of every citizen to stand ready to
    27  defend our country at all times from infiltration or aggression
    28  by those whose acts and ideologies are contrary to our American
    29  philosophy of life.
    30     All supervising officers and teachers in charge of public,
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     1  private or parochial schools shall establish and direct the
     2  conduct of an appropriate ceremony at the beginning of the
     3  school day for the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance or the
     4  singing of the National Anthem.
     5     Section 2.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.

















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