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State Sen. Gerald Allen, R-Tuscaloosa, has pre-filed a bill proposing a constitutional amendment that would require Alabama public schools to broadcast The Star-Spangled Banner at least once a week during school hours.
The bill describes The Star-Spangled Banner’s history, how Francis Scott Key famously wrote the song during the War of 1812, and how it became the United States’ official national anthem in 1931.
“For over 100 years, The Star-Spangled Banner has served to inspire generations of patriotic Americans, and it is imperative that students have exposure to this history and inspiration,” the bill reads.
Allen’s amendment would specifically require K-12 public schools to broadcast “any recording of the first stanza of The Star-Spangled Banner that is archived within the Library of Congress” or, alternatively, host a “performance of the first stanza of The Star-Spangled Banner from original sheet music… by a school-sanctioned band program, choral program, vocal group, or vocalist.”
If the bill passes the state legislature, the proposed amendment will be added to a statewide election ballot for the general public to vote on during a special election or the next general election. If a simple majority of voters approve the amendment, it will be added to the state constitution and go into effect.
Alabama law currently requires public schools to conduct the pledge of allegiance to the American flag at the beginning of each school day, however student participation in reciting the pledge is optional. The language of that law was amended in 2019 to ensure that all schools perform the pledge.
