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PHOENIX -- Republican lawmakers have introduced a bill that would give Arizona high school seniors the option to recite a loyalty oath before they graduate.

Originally, House Bill 2467 would have made the oath a prerequisite for graduation from any public high school in the state. The Arizona Capitol Times reported the change Tuesday.

"To me it's not a Republican bill, it's not a Democrat bill, it's an American bill," said Rep. Steve Smith of Maricopa, one of the bill's sponsors. "People feel that our high school kids that will be adults should understand their role as an American citizen."

The oath, which would be pledged to the school principal, reads:

"I, _____, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose or evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge these duties; so help me God."

If passed, HB 2467 would take effect starting in the 2013-14 school year.

Aaron Granillo, News Editor

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  • Abuse
    2cents wrote...
    Above, restated . .
    January 23, 2013 8:14 am
    Why would our federal government allow a measure so contrary to their agenda?
  • Abuse
    azgreentea wrote...
    And this
    January 23, 2013 8:49 am
    is why a legislature dominated by a single party is bad. It turns into a dictatorship where every bad idea passes as law. When did Republicans turn into National Socialists?
  • Abuse
    Katt r. wrote...
    Really?
    January 23, 2013 8:52 am
    We need this? More "public servants" intruding into our lives. Ridiculous. -From a proud Conservative (not a Republican)
  • Abuse
    RoadieMax wrote...
    HB2467
    January 23, 2013 9:08 am
    First of all many, if not most of the potential high school graduates in our public school systems would not have a clue as to what this oath really means. Secondly, what about the undocumented graduates. Since they are not citizens, they cannot swear oath to a constitution that is not associated with their nationality.
  • Abuse
    Michoacan wrote...
    Alert kids will ask, if this is a requirement,
    January 23, 2013 9:13 am
    then why does the oath demand that I say, "I take this obligation freely..."?
  • Abuse
    OneWonders wrote...
    Who in todays society
    January 23, 2013 9:31 am
    takes an oath, the progressives(left and right) turned an oath into meaningless words and our children have been indoctrinated with the same mentality. Heck even our President took an oath on two bibles this week, he isn't working to protect our Constitution but instead looks for all ways to work around it and attempts to make Congress irrelevant. Remember that Patriot Act Obama wanted to appeal when he was running for President the first time, he lied and extended it, then made it worse. With leadership like this, why would our children take an oath and follow it?
    Equal Justice, Not Social Justice.
  • Abuse
    cottoncandy wrote...
    I solemnly swear....
    January 23, 2013 9:34 am
    that I pledge blindly to a government that violates the Constitution and ensure that I snitch on my neighbor; an enemy of our government. I say this obligation freely, regardless of mental CAPABILITY of thinking for my self; and I will faithfully turn in my neighbor if I catch them following the Constitution and question their mental stability for non compliance. UNTHINKING RESPECT FOR AUTHORITY IS THE GREATEST THREAT TO TRUTH! - EINSTEIN
  • Abuse
    yrreta wrote...
    So, how is everyone with the
    January 23, 2013 9:46 am
    Pledge of Allegiance still being used in many schools? Maybe after they graduate they could serve a mandatory 2 year stint in the military as well. Most of these graduates couldn't even spell Constitution, let alone find the US on a world map.
  • Abuse
    Michoacan wrote...
    Well said, cotton. And I hope Joe Arpaio's
    January 23, 2013 9:47 am
    adherents heed your caution.
  • Abuse
    yrreta wrote...
    cottoncandy's oath kind of
    January 23, 2013 10:06 am
    sounds like something a liberal would swear to. Blindly following a government, upset with those that believe in and support the Constitution...etc.

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