Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-23
Bill Calls for Curb
On Sex Education
Films in Schools
BY q s,o4 cor..pondsn. Of The s,o,

BY q Stuff Correspondent Of The Siov
RICHMOND. Feb. 23.-Legis-
lation was before the General
Assembly today to prohibit use
of sex education films in public
schools. such as those shown in
Arlington. unless specifically ap-
proved by the State superintend-
ent of public instruction.
The Arlington School Board
last Saturday temporarily sus-
pended use of the movies after
three irate county citizens the
day before brought one of the
films here and exhibited it to
the House Education Commit
tee.
The committee chairman.
Harry Davis. joined the Arling-
ton House delegation yesterday
in sponsoring the bill to impose
q ban. Members of the Airing
ton legislative delegation may
60 before the committee this
afternoon to give their side OF
rather sensational testimony by
the three. citizens last week.
Adds to Law.
Delegate Charles E. Green, a
committee member. said an in
vitation would be extended the
Arlington legislators who said
they were not notified OF last
weeks hearing.
The new bill would amend the
law giving the State Board Of
Education the power to select
textbooks in the schools by add
ing this language:
."No sex education Aim shall
be used as a part of the educa-
ton program of any public
school unless it shall have been
approved for that purpose by
the superintendent of public
instruction.
such films shall be exhibited
then only under conditions and
in conjunction with subjects
specified by the superintendent
of public instruction"
School Board Endorses Bill.
Mrs. Elizabeth Campbell. Arl-
ington School Board chairman.
announced the bill has the
hearty approval" of the board.
cit would be most unwise to
transfer such authority to the
Board Of Motion Picture Censor
ship as was recently suggested
by County Board Member Robert
A. Peck" she added.
School board members said
Saturday all such films used in
health education classes in Arl-
ington already have the approx
al Of officials of the State De-
partment Of Education.
Mr.. Peck, Republican men,
Der of the Arlington County
Board; Thomas j. Broyhill, a
Democratic candidate for the
House of Delegates in last years
primary. and w. L. Bragg. ST..
father-in-law Of Mr.. Broyhill
and also of Representative Joel
Broyhill, Republican. of Virginia.
took their complaints before the
committee after first having gone
to Gov. Stanley.
Sample Film Shown.
Bringing their own copy of
the film, Human Reproduction"
and a protector, they showed
the movie to the committee and
said it was shown to mixed
groups of boys and girls in health
classes. They also complained
Of the progressive education sys-
tenn and use of non-competitive
report card in Arlington.
Delegate Harrison Mann Of Ar
lingtoh said the bill was spon-
sored on the final day for in
PRODUCTION Of new legislation at
the request of Arlington citizens.
whom he did not identify. and
at the suggestion Of some Of the
committee members.
Arlington's legislators over the
week end framed q formal state
ment to reply to implications that
they sponsored certain legisla-
ton because they have a politi-
cal gun put at their backs" by
Federal employees who seek the
right to hold local government
Offices in Virginia.
Charge Answered.
The delegation statement said:
Ordinarily we would ignore such
irresponsible statements as this
and rely on our record Of legisla-
tive independence as established
in the past: but unfortunately
this statement attacks our leRis-