Politics

Reaffirming 'In God We Trust'

By Sunlight Foundation & Participatory Politics Foundation

Does our national motto need a little boost from Congress? House Republicans seem to think so. Last week, Rep. James Forbes [R, VA-4] and 65 co-sponsors introduced a bill with the goal of ‘reaffirming "In God We Trust’ as the official motto of the United States and supporting and encouraging the public display of the national motto in all public buildings, public schools, and other government institutions" (H.Con.Res.274). Read the full text below:

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Whereas ‘In God We Trust' is the official motto of the United States;

Whereas the sentiment, ‘In God We Trust', has been an integral part of United States society since its founding;

Whereas in times of national challenge or tragedy, the people of the United States have turned to God as their source for sustenance, protection, wisdom, strength, and direction;

Whereas the Declaration of Independence recognizes God, our Creator, as the source of our rights, ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.';

Whereas the national anthem of the United States says ‘praise the power that hath made and preserved us a nation . . . and this be our motto: in God is our trust.';

Whereas the words ‘In God We Trust' appear over the entrance to the Senate Chamber and above the Speaker's rostrum in the House Chamber;

Whereas the oath taken by all Federal employees, except the President, states ‘I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.';

Whereas John Adams said, ‘Statesmen may plan and speculate for Liberty, but it is Religion and Morality alone, which can establish the Principles upon which Freedom can securely stand.';

Whereas if religion and morality are taken out of the marketplace of ideas, the very freedom on which the United States was founded cannot be secured;

Whereas as President Eisenhower said and President Ford later repeated, ‘Without God, there could be no American form of government, nor, an American way of life.'; and

Whereas President John F. Kennedy said, ‘The guiding principle and prayer of this Nation has been, is now, and ever shall be ‘In God We Trust.': Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That Congress—

(1) recognizes that trust in God is embedded into the fabric of society and history of the United States and rejects the notion that the laws and Constitution of the United States require the exclusion of God from matters of government and public life; and

(2) reaffirms ‘In God We Trust' as the official motto of the United States and supports and encourages the public display of the national motto in all public buildings, public schools, and other government institutions.

Image used under a CC license from JGK59.

Full post as published by Open Congress on May 11, 2010 (boomark / email).