Students at Ames schools may soon be required to say the Pledge of Allegiance every morning, according to legislation in front of the Iowa House of Representatives.

According to the bill, public and nonpublic school students in Iowa would be required to recite the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of each school day. Those students who object or whose parents object to the pledge would be required to maintain respectful silence while the other students recite the pledge.

Some Ames residents said they think a state-mandated Pledge of Allegiance is not the best way to get students to demonstrate patriotism.

“It should be an important act, not something they are forced to do every morning,” said Rep. Jane Greimann, D-Ames. “We need to encourage people to use the pledge to help everyone understand its importance. A mandate is not the way to do that.”

Peggy Talbert, mother of a junior at Ames High, said she does not think a mandate to say the pledge will affect how her daughter views the government.

“I imagine she’ll see it as one more frivolous requirement she’s expected to conform to. I don’t think it will affect her patriotism any,” she said.

Ben Stone, executive director of the Iowa Civil Liberties Union, said he believes the bill is inappropriate.

“[I] think the government has no business mandating the expression of ideas. That is what this does,” he said. “When the nation is poised for war, many could interpret this as a mandatory expression of support for war, in a sense.”

Latisha Myers, a senior at Ames High School and co-president of its Student Council, said that while she does not have a problem with the bill, some students at her high school likely will.

“There have been demonstrations over the war on Iraq and some people really have strong feelings on this,” she said.

Myers said she thinks some students would have a problem with the mandate.

“People don’t mind doing something until they’re told to do it,” she said.

“They shouldn’t have to do it if they don’t want to.”

Other community residents don’t think saying the pledge will cause problems in Ames schools.

“I don’t see this as a big deal at all. It’s already happening in most classrooms, at least at the elementary level,” said Randy Podhaski, principal of Edwards Elementary School, 3622 Woodland St.

Podhaski said teachers who are not already reciting the pledge every morning could easily work it into their schedules.

“I think most teachers have some sort of opening for each day, with a calendar and a weather activity. [The pledge] would just fit well here,” he said.

Rep. Lisa Heddens, D-Ames, said she is concerned about the pressure this bill would put on teachers.

“I would just like to see the schools have the flexibility to do this on their own, rather than imposing another state mandate on them,” she said.

Another concern being raised with this bill is the possibility of threats against students who choose not to recite the pledge.

Stone said the ICLU has already received reports of threats from three students, and that there will be problems with harassment if this bill is passed.

“It’s an absolute certainty. There are kids here in Iowa who are standing up for their beliefs and being harassed,” he said.

The bill was presented to the house on Feb. 12 and is currently being discussed in an education subcommittee.