Pledge bill advances in Assembly

TRENTON — Old Glory will fly high and public officials will recite the Pledge of Allegiance before public meetings if legislation sponsored by Assemblymen Jay Webber and Parker Space is signed into law. The bill moved a step closer to that reality today following approval by the Assembly State and Local Government Committee.
“Displaying our flag and reciting the pledge is a show of respect for our country and the thousands of men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Webber “It instills in us a sense of patriotism and reminds us that we are privileged to live in the greatest country on earth.”
The bill requires public bodies such as school boards, township councils and committees, commissions, authorities and other government entities to display the U.S. flag and its members recite the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of a meeting. Current law requires only that boards of education display the flag in all classrooms and pupils recite the pledge.
“The U.S. flag is a national symbol, a reminder of the many freedoms we enjoy as Americans,” said Space (R-Sussex). “Those freedoms come at a tremendous price. It’s only right that all government officials acknowledge and honor our flag.”
Space noted that the state Legislature displays the U.S. flag in the Assembly and Senate chambers and members recite the pledge before each voting session.