ADEL, Iowa – Gov. Kim Reynolds signed HF 847 into law on Wednesday evening after the Iowa Legislature adjourned Sine Die. The bill contained a number of education policies (The Iowa Torch reported here), but also included language from State Rep. Carter Nordman, R-Adel, that requires all Iowa schools to lead the Pledge of Allegiance once a day in grades 1-12.
The Iowa House passed Nordman’s stand-alone bill with overwhelming bipartisan support in February, but it was not considered by the Iowa Senate until they added it to HF 847.
“I am extremely proud that HF 847, which included my Pledge of Allegiance language, was signed by Governor Reynolds this week,” Nordman, a freshman legislator, said. “By being just one of a few states who did not have Pledge of Allegiance language in our code, we were doing a disservice to our students.”
Nordman hopes this new law will serve as an opportunity for teachers to discuss with students the true meaning of the pledge of allegiance.
“We don’t pledge our allegiance to a government or a leader. We pledge our loyalty to an idea – the American idea. We pledge our loyalty to the greatest social experiment to ever happen on this planet. This is why I believe the Pledge of Allegiance is so important,” he said.
“When writing the original bill, I wanted to ensure student’s First Amendment rights would not be infringed upon. That is why there is specific language included to protect the First Amendment rights of all students,” Nordman added.
HF 847 states, “A student shall not be compelled against the student’s objection or those of a student’s parent or guardian to recite the pledge.”
“During a time of such political divide in our nation, I believe the pledge is something that can bring all Americans together, regardless of political affiliation,” Nordman stated.
