[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 88 (Tuesday, July 11, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H5818-H5819]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              IN GOD WE TRUST: A FITTING MOTTO FOR AMERICA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Schaffer) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to draw attention to a 
resolution that I introduced earlier, the number of which does not yet 
exist, I am told, but will soon; but the resolution deals with our 
national motto, In God We Trust. That motto, Mr. Speaker, we will find 
about 5 feet etched on the wall from the position where we stand. It is 
also etched in stone across the Chamber in the Senate, across the 
Capitol over where the Senate of the United States meets.
  It was during the Civil War, in response to a public desire for 
recognition of the Almighty God in some form on our coins, President 
Abraham Lincoln signed a law on April 22, 1864, introducing the motto 
``In God We Trust'' to our coinage. On July 30, 1956, President 
Eisenhower signed a law stating that the national motto of the United 
States is hereby declared to be ``In God We Trust.''

                              {time}  1815

  The Federal courts have repeatedly upheld the Constitutionality of 
the national motto and its uses, and ``It is in the public interest to 
uphold, affirm and celebrate the national heritage and the traditions 
and values which have been the foundation and sustenance of our Nation, 
as well as elements vital to its future preservation.''
  The portion which I just read was adopted just a few days ago in the 
State of Colorado by the Colorado State Board of Education. The purpose 
of that resolution was to encourage the public display of the national 
motto ``In God We Trust,'' and was introduced by the chairman of the 
State Board of Education, also the representative to the State Board 
from my congressional district, the Fourth District of Colorado.
  It is on the basis of Colorado's action, which passed, by the way, 
nearly unanimously, on a 6 to 1 vote, that I come before the Chamber 
today and draw attention to the resolution that I have introduced.
  The resolution I have introduced here in the United States Congress 
is one that further amplifies on the words of the State of Colorado and 
on Colorado's official position that the words ``In God We Trust'' are 
encouraged to be displayed in schools and other public buildings as the 
national motto.
  This resolution expresses the sense of Congress that the national 
motto is one that is fit, fitting and appropriate to be displayed in 
public buildings across our great land. It is a reference to the 
Nation's highest religious heritage.
  The national motto recognizes the religious beliefs and practices of 
the American people as an aspect of our national heritage and our 
history and culture. Nearly every criminal law on the books can be 
traced to some religious principle or inspiration.
  The motto ``In God We Trust'' is deeply interwoven into the fabric of 
our civil polity. The motto recognizes the historical fact that our 
Nation was believed to have been founded ``under God.''
  The content of the motto is said to be 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.
  The display and teaching of the motto to public school children has a 
valid secular purpose, such secular purpose being to foster patriotism. 
That was reaffirmed, I might add, Mr. Speaker, by Gaylor v. United 
States in the Tenth Circuit Court back in 1996. It symbolizes the 
historical role of religion in our society, expresses confidence in the 
future, and also signifies hope and the instruction of humility.
  There is a long tradition of government acknowledgment of religion in 
mottos, oaths, and anthems. 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. The motto 
reflects the national sentiment that we are a religious people whose 
institutions presuppose a supreme being.
  ``All of the dispositions and habits which lead to the political 
prosperity, religion, and morality are indispensable supports.'' That 
was the statement of our first President, George Washington, during his 
farewell address.
  ``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.'' That again was a statement that is a quote from President 
Washington's farewell address.

[[Page H5819]]

  John Adams said, ``It is religion and morality alone which can 
establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand.'' 
President Washington, again in his farewell address, said, ``With 
caution we must indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained 
without religion.''
  ``The role of religion in public life is an important one which 
deserves the public's attention.''
  The signers of the Declaration of Independence appealed to the 
Supreme Judge of the World for the rectitude of their intentions, and 
avowed a firm reliance of the protection of divine Providence. That we 
will find in the Declaration of Independence.
  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.
  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.''
  And the Declaration of Independence demonstrates this Nation was 
founded on a transcendent value which flows from the belief in a 
supreme being.
  The Founding Fathers believed devotedly that there was a God, and 
that the unalienable rights of man were rooted in him, as was clearly 
evident in their writings from the Mayflower Compact to the 
Constitution itself.
  Religion has been closely identified with the history and the 
government of the United States. 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 blessings.
  That we will find, Mr. Speaker, in quoting James Madison's Memorial 
and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments.
  Whereas these words ``In God We Trust'' are over the entrance of the 
Senate Chamber, and our national motto, as I mentioned before, is 
prominently engraved on the wall just here above us in the Chamber of 
the House of Representatives, and is reproduced on every coin minted by 
the United States, the Congress should encourage the display of the 
national motto of the United States of America in public buildings and 
throughout the Nation.
  That is the basis of the resolution that has been introduced today. I 
urge Members to consider it favorably and to cosponsor the resolution, 
and to help defend it as it is considered by the House of 
Representatives.

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