SALEM -- Members of the Oregon House expressed a variety of views on the pledge of allegiance but wound up voting emphatically to require schools to offer its daily recitation.

For some, the pledge underscores patriotism and honors war veterans. For others, it's tantamount to bullying students who for their own reasons don't or can't say it.

"The flag salute is about remembering veterans of all wars," said

, D-Portland, who noted he served in Vietnam. "We can certainly take a few seconds to honor their sacrifice."

requires flags in all public and public charter school classrooms, and requires the schools to offer a daily recitation of the pledge for all students. The bill doesn't make it mandatory for students to stand or recite the pledge, but some lawmakers cautioned that students who don't join in would be stigmatized.

"To require little children to do this every day...is very sad for me and very frightening," said

, D-Milwaukie. She said she worries that students who don't or can't recited the pledge "will be seen as different, as not loyal to American and will be bullied."

The bill passed 42-16. All the votes against it came from Democrats. It now goes to the Senate.

, R-Medford, said he sponsored the bill after hearing a complaint from a high school student in his district that his school

The pledge goes beyond mere rote recitation, he said, helping teach youngsters what the flag symbolizes.

"Teachers should teach this," Esquivel said. "If your child doesn't know what the pledge means, shame on the teacher."

, D-Portland, had some of the harshest words for supporters of the bill.

"This is all about posturing and preening," Frederick said. "It's all about getting videos of ourselves being patriotic."

His comments were interrupted by Rep. Vicki Berger, R-Salem, who objected. Frederick ended his remarks by quoting folks singer John Prine: "The flag decal won't get you into heaven anymore."

– Harry Esteve