SB12 Alabama 2021 Session

This bill would propose an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to require local boards of education to adopt policies requiring each K-12 public school to broadcast or sanction the performance of The Star-Spangled Banner at the commencement of each school-sanctioned sporting event and at least once per week at each public school during school hours

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to require local boards of education to adopt policies requiring each K-12 public school to broadcast or sanction the performance of The Star-Spangled Banner at the commencement of each school-sanctioned sporting event and at least once per week at each public school during school hours.

Section 1

The Legislature finds and declares the following: (1) During the Battle for Baltimore of the War of 1812, Francis Scott Key visited the British fleet in the Chesapeake Bay on September 7, 1814, to secure the release of Dr. William Beanes, who had been captured after the British burned Washington, D.C. (2) The release of Dr. Beanes was secured, but Key and Beanes were held by the British during the shelling of Fort McHenry, one of the forts defending Baltimore. (3) On the morning of September 14, 1814, after the 25-hour British bombardment of Fort McHenry, Key peered through the clearing smoke to see a 42-foot by 30-foot American flag flying proudly atop the Fort. (4) He was so inspired to see the enormous flag still flying over the Fort that he began penning a song, which he named The Defence of Fort McHenry, to commemorate the occasion and he included a note that it should be sung to the tune of the popular British melody To Anacreon in Heaven. (5) In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson ordered that the anthem, which had been popularly renamed The Star-Spangled Banner, be played at military and naval occasions. (6) On March 3, 1931, President Herbert Hoover signed a resolution of Congress that officially designated The Star-Spangled Banner as the National Anthem of the United States. (7) 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.

Section 2

The following amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, is proposed and shall become valid as a part thereof when approved by a majority of the qualified electors voting thereon and in accordance with Sections 284, 285, and 287 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended: PROPOSED AMENDMENT (a) Each local board of education shall adopt a policy requiring each public K-12 school under its jurisdiction to broadcast The Star-Spangled Banner as follows: (1) At the commencement of each school-sanctioned sporting event, except that if any part of two or more school-sanctioned sporting events occur on the same day at the same school, a school may choose to broadcast The Star-Spangled Banner at only one of the events. (2) During school hours, at least once per week. (b)(1) A local board of education shall select for broadcast, pursuant to subsection (a), any recording of The Star-Spangled Banner that is archived within the Library of Congress and available on the Library of Congress website. (2) A local board of education, alternatively, may adopt a policy allowing for any of the following at school-sanctioned sporting events or during school hours, or both: a. The performance of The Star-Spangled Banner from original sheet music, archived within the Library of Congress and available on its website, by a school-sanctioned band program, chorale program, vocal group, or vocalist. b. The performance of The Star-Spangled Banner by the body of attendees of the event, to be led by a vocalist selected by the principal of the school hosting the event.

Section 3

An election upon the proposed amendment shall be held in accordance with Sections 284 and 285 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, now appearing as Sections 284 and 285 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, and the election laws of this state.

Section 4

The appropriate election official shall assign a ballot number for the proposed constitutional amendment on the election ballot and shall set forth the following description of the substance or subject matter of the proposed constitutional amendment:

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended; to require local boards of education to adopt policies requiring each K-12 public school to broadcast or sanction the performance of The Star-Spangled Banner at the commencement of each school-sanctioned sporting event and at least once per week at each public school during school hours."

Proposed by Act ________." This description shall be followed by the following language:

Yes ( ) No ( )."