[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 548 Introduced in House (IH)]







106th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 548

 Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the national motto for the 
                   government of a religious people.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 11, 2000

Mr. Schaffer (for himself, Mr. Hefley, and Mr. Tancredo) submitted the 
   following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the 
                               Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the national motto for the 
                   government of a religious people.

Whereas the national motto of the United States of America is ``In God we 
        Trust'';
Whereas the national motto was adopted in 1956, and is codified at 36 U.S.C.A. 
        Sec. 302;
Whereas the motto is a reference to the Nation's religious heritage (see, Lynch 
        v. Donnelly, 465 U.S. 668, 676-77 (1984));
Whereas the national motto recognizes the religious beliefs and practices of the 
        American people as an aspect of our national history and culture (see, 
        Lynch v. Donnelly, 465 U.S. 668, at 716 (1984) (Brennan, J., dissenting) 
        (citing Engel v. Vitale, 370 U.S. at 435 (Brennan, J., concurring));
Whereas nearly every criminal law on the books can be traced to some religious 
        principle or inspiration (see, Abington v. Schempp, 374 U.S. 203, at 
        303-04 (Brennan, J., concurring));
Whereas the motto ``In God we Trust'' is deeply interwoven into the fabric of 
        our civil polity (see, Abington v. Schempp, 374 U.S. 203, at 303-04 
        (Brennan, J., concurring));
Whereas the motto recognizes the historical fact that our Nation was believed to 
        have been founded ``under God'' (Id.);
Whereas the content of the motto is as old as the Republic itself, and has 
        always been as integral a part of the First Amendment as the very words 
        of that charter of religious liberty (Id.);
Whereas the display and teaching of the motto to public school children has a 
        valid secular purpose, such secular purpose being to foster patriotism 
        (see, Gaylor v. United States, 74 f.3d 214, at 216 (10th Cir. 1996), 
        cert, denied, 517 U.S. 1211 (1996)) symbolize the historical role of 
        religion in our society (Id. at 676), express confidence in the future 
        (Id. at 692-93) (O'Conner, J., concurring)), inculcate hope, and 
        instruct in humility;
Whereas there is a long tradition of government acknowledgment of religion in 
        mottoes, oaths, and anthems (see, ACLU of Ohio v. Capital Square Review 
        and Advisory Board, 20 F.Supp.2d 1176, at 1180-85 (S.D. Ohio. 1998));
Whereas the national motto serves the secular purpose of expressing confidence 
        in the future and encouraging the recognition of what is worthy of 
        appreciation in society (see, Lynch v. Donnelly, 465 U.S. 668, at 693 
        (1984) (O'Conner, J., concurring));
Whereas the motto reflects the national sentiment that we are a religious people 
        whose institutions presuppose a Supreme Being (see, Zorach v. Clauson, 
        343 U.S. 306, at 313-14 (1952));
Whereas of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, 
        religion and morality are indispensable supports (Farewell Address of 
        President Washington, Sept. 19, 1776);
Whereas whatever may be conceded to the influence of the refined education on 
        minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to 
        expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious 
        principle (Farewell Address of President Washington, Sept. 19, 1776);
Whereas it is religion and morality alone which can establish the principles 
        upon which freedom can securely stand (John Adams, The Works of John 
        Adams, Second President of the United States, Charles Francis Adams, 
        editor (Boston, Little Brown & Co. 1854), vol. IX, p. 229, October 11, 
        1789);
Whereas with caution we must indulge the supposition that morality can be 
        maintained without religion (Farewell Address of President Washington, 
        Sept. 19, 1776);
Whereas the role of religion in public life is an important one which deserves 
        the public's attention (see, ACLU of Ohio v. Capitol Square Review and 
        Advisory Board, 20 F.Supp.2d 1176, at 1180-85 (S.D. Ohio, 1998));
Whereas the signers of the Declaration of Independence appealed to the Supreme 
        Judge of the World for the recititude of their intentions, and avowed a 
        firm reliance of the protection of divine Providence (Declaration of 
        Independence, see also, Lee v. Weisman, 505 U.S. 577, at 633 (1992) 
        (Scalia J., dissenting));
Whereas George Washington, in his first inaugural address as President, said 
        that ``[I]t would be peculiarly improper to omit in this first official 
        act my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the 
        universe, who presides in the councils of nations, and whose 
        providential aids can supply every human defect, that His benediction 
        may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the 
        United States Government instituted by themselves for these essential 
        purposes'' (Lee v. Weisman, 505 U.S. 577, at 633 (1992) (Scalia, J., 
        dissenting), quoting, President George Washington, Inaugural Address, 
        April 30, 1789);
Whereas the first Congress urged the President to declare a day of public 
        thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful 
        hearts the many single favors of Almighty God (see, Lynch v. Donnelly, 
        465 U.S. 675 n.2);
Whereas the first Congress reenacted the Northwest Ordinance, which states that 
        Religion, morality, and knowledge, being necessary, to good government 
        and happiness of mankind, schools, and the means of education shall 
        forever be encouraged (Northwest Territory Ordinance, art. III Stat. 
        51n, 52 (1787));
Whereas the Declaration of Independence demonstrates this Nation was founded on 
        transcendent values which flow from a belief in a Supreme Being;
Whereas the Founding Fathers believed devotedly that there was a God and that 
        the unalienable rights of man were rooted in Him, is clearly evidenced 
        in their writings, from the Mayflower Compact to the Constitution itself 
        (see, Abington v. Schempp, 374 U.S. 203, at 213 (1963));
Whereas religion has been closely identified with the history and government of 
        the United States (see, Abington v. Schempp, 374 U.S. 203, at 212);
Whereas our national life reflects a religious people who earnestly pray that 
        the Supreme Lawgiver guide them in every measure which may be worthy of 
        His blessing (see, Abington v. Schempp, 374 U.S. 203, at 213) (quoting 
        James Madison, MEMORIAL AND REMONSTRANCE AGAINST RELIGIOUS ASSESSMENTS, 
        quoting Everson v. Board of Education, 330 U.S. 1, at 71-72 (1947) 
        (Rutledge, J., dissenting));
Whereas the words ``In God We Trust'' are over the entrance to the Senate 
        Chamber (see, Engel v. Vitale, 370 U.S. 421, at 440); and
Whereas our national motto, ``In God We Trust'', 36 U.S.C. sec. 186, which is 
        prominently engraved in the wall above the Speaker's dias in the Chamber 
        of the House of Representatives and is reproduced on every coin minted 
        and every dollar printed by the Federal Government (see, County of 
        Allegheny v. ACLU, 492 U.S. 573, at 673): Now therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the United States Congress encourages the display of 
the National Motto of the United States of America in public buildings 
throughout our Nation.
                                 <all>