State Senator Gerald Allen (R-Tuscaloosa) on Wednesday pre-filed SB 12, a bill to propose a constitutional amendment that would mandate public schools in Alabama to play the national anthem at least once per week and at public school sporting events.
“This bill is about patriotism,” said Allen in a statement. “It’s about reminding our students of the importance of our freedoms and the high price that has been paid to protect and preserve those freedoms.”
“It is important that we remember our nation’s history and learn from it,” he continued. “As President Ronald Regan said, ‘Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.’”
Allen this past spring introduced a similar bill, although that legislation would not have been a constitutional amendment. The 2020 bill was advanced by the Senate Committee on Education Policy but failed to move further in a session interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The introduction of SB 12 for the 2021 regular session comes ahead of November 3’s general election, with the country seemingly divided on political lines.
“Being a patriotic American is under attack. When our students are being taught that capitalism is bad and that socialism and communism are valid forms of government, we need to stop and remember that the United States has been the greatest force for freedom across the world. Playing the Star-Spangled Banner in our schools and at our schools’ sporting events will help to remind us of that,” Allen stated.
“With all the division in our country, we need to be reminded of what unites us. There are no better reminders of what it means to be an American than our flag and the national anthem. I look forward to working with my Senate colleagues to put this amendment before the people of Alabama,” he concluded.
If passed by the legislature, the constitutional amendment would go before the people of Alabama in a referendum to occur in a subsequent general election.
Allen has represented District 21 in the Alabama State Senate since 2010, serving portions of Tuscaloosa, Lamar and Pickens Counties.
State Rep. Wes Allen (R-Troy) will carry this legislation in the House.
Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
