Johnny Valencia said he was anxious entering his new classroom until he saw a colorful display of foreign flags on the wall.

"I enjoy living in a country that embraces the diversity of culture, school and society," he said.

Valencia was among a half- dozen students from Gateway and Littleton high schools who testified for a measure Thursday meant to clear up confusion about a state law banning the permanent display of foreign flags in public buildings.

In August, Jeffco school officials briefly suspended a Carmody Middle School geography teacher for displaying the flags of China, Mexico and the United Nations in class. Soon after, officials determined foreign flags are exempt from the ban under a provision that allows "temporary display" of foreign flags for educational purposes.

"Schools are starting to have problems displaying other countries' flags," said Sen. Suzanne Williams, D-Denver.

The Senate Education Committee voted 5-1 to advance House Bill 1050, sponsored by Williams, which would allow school districts to set policies to display foreign flags permanently anywhere inside a school building.

The measure, also sponsored by Rep. Andy Kerr, D-Lakewood, also would allow commemorative military flags honoring U.S prisoners of war to fly in front of public buildings.

Witness Marlene Nisely said that the bill dishonors the memory of her brother-in-law, who was killed in September while serving in Iraq.

"The only flag that we should display is the red, white and blue of the American flag," she said.

Sen. Ron Tupa, D-Boulder, expressed concerns about allowing school districts to set policies, picking and choosing what foreign flags to display.