CHAPTER 30

An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding § 7-34.1, to provide for
the display of the flag of the Commonwealth at public schools, and
to appropriate funds. Ht 68}

Approved September 29, 1956

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia be amended by adding a section numbered
7-84.1, as follows: _,

§ 7-34.1. The display of the flag of the Commonwealth of Virginia
at each public school within the Commonwealth hereby is authorized and
encouraged. Such flag shall be of a size to be determined by the Governor
in accordance with § 7-33 of the Code, and initially shall be furnished by
the State of Virginia for each school upon request therefor by the local
school board having jurisdiction directed to the Governor; provided, how-
ever, that such request shall be accompanied by a statement from the
local school board that it will furnish and maintain a flagstaff or pole, and
the ropes, pulleys and other equipment needed for flying such flag. The
flag pole may be attached to the building or the flag may be flown from
a pole located within the school grounds. It shall be the duty of each
teacher in a school employing one teacher only, or the principal of each
school employing more than one teacher, to see that the flag is flown from
the flagstaff or pole during school hours of each day in the year, from
the hour of opening until the hour of closing the school under his charge,
except upon such days as injury to the flag would be likely to result from
flying it by reason of inclement weather conditions. The flag of the Com-
monwealth may be flown on the same flagstaff or pole as the flag of the
United States and immediately thereunder. If a separate flagstaff or pole
be provided for the flag of the Commonwealth, such flag shall be flown to
the immediate left of the flag of the United States. It shall also be the
duty of each teacher in every school to instruct thoroughly every pupil
coming under his charge as to the history of the flag and the principles
for which it stands, specifically including the Bill of Rights.
2. For the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this act, there is
hereby appropriated out of the general fund of the State treasury a sum
sufficient.
8. An emergency exists and this act is in force from its passage.