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MISSISSIPPI — A proposed ballot measure would recognize Christianity as the state’s official religion and English as the state’s official language. 

It also would require the Confederate battle flag to fly on the grounds of the Mississippi state capitol, mandate that the Mississippi state flag pledge of allegiance be recited after the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance, and require the broadcast of the song “Dixie” immediately following the playing of the “Star Spangled Banner” in public venues. 

According to The Clarion-Ledger, a Mississippi heritage group has launched the proposed ballot to amend the state’s constitution, an initiative that has been endorsed by former Miss America and Mississippian Susan Akin. 

If passed, the University of Mississippi’s on-field mascot would once again become “Colonel Reb” and the song “Dixie” would be played by the university. 

For the initiative to make the 2016 ballot, 107,216 Mississippi residents have to sign the petition by October 2015.