Caledonia Argus

Pledge bill passes senate

Posted: 4/30/02

by T.W. Budig
ECM capitol reporter

A Pledge of Allegiance bill passed the Senate Thursday, April 25, mandates that public and charter school students recite the pledge at least once a week.

But unlike the House version of the bill passed late February, the Senate included an amendment calling for quarterly discussion of issues surrounding the pledge.

More specifically, students must be informed that those not wishing to participate in the recitation of the pledge ìmay elect not to do so and not be considered unpatriotic.î

The amendment was offered by Sen. Mee Moua, (DFL-St. Paul), who during an earlier Senate debate successfully amended the bill with similar language.

But on the Senate floor, Moua said she was sharply criticized for her earlier amendment, her patriotism being questioned.

The language she now offered had been worked out with American Legion officials, she said.

Mouaís first amendment was deleted.

But the bill, which sparked prolong debate during its first appearance on the Senate floor, lingered for more debate until finally being passed on a 54 to 8 vote.

Sen. Michelle Bachmann (R-Stillwater) moved to delete last part of Mouaís amendment about not being considered unpatriotic in deciding not to recite the pledge.

ìAnything more is editorial comment on the part of the state,î said Bachmann.

Sen. Deanna Wiener, (DFL-Eagan), stressed the need for the original language, saying it represented agreed-on language by the American Legion.

But Sen. Linda Scheid, (DFL-Brooklyn Park) wondered whether the Senate should be trying to explain the actions of others.

ìI do think Sen. Bachmann has a good point,î she said.

But Bachmannís amendment was rejected on a voice vote.

One of the few senators speaking against the bill was Sen. Leo Foley, (DFL-Coon Rapids) a Korean War veteran and 44-year member of the American Legion.

Foley questioned if the pledge mandate, of which school districts can opt-out, would cause more bullying on the playground.

He noted that many classrooms experience almost a total turnover of students during a school year, so many would not have received the quarterly lecture.

Foley and Sen. Don Betzold, (DFL-Fridley) were two of eight metro DFLers voting against the bill.

Betzold, a colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves, questioned the basic premise of the legislation.

ìPatriotism canít be mandated,î he said.

Betzoldís viewpoint is shared by Gov. Ventura.

In an interview in early April, Ventura indicated that he did not support the pledge of allegiance bill.

ìTo me, patriotism comes the heart, not the mind,î he said.

Though not saying that Ventura would veto the bill if it came to his desk, administration spokesman John Wodele said the pledge bill would not receive a favorable reception.

But the bill must first clear conference committee.

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