Pennsylvania Republican pushes bill to mandate US motto ‘In God We Trust’ at all public schools
Pennsylvania state Rep. Rick Saccone has proposed a new bill to post the ‘In God We Trust’ prominently at all public schools in the state, a move which will certainly prompt outrage and lawsuits from atheist groups.
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“The National Motto Display Act” (House Bill 1728) has already moved post the House Education Committee, passing 14-9 per Fox News.
“It’s 500-to-1 back home; people are for it,” he said, Fox News reported. “I’m sure the media’s going to try to beat it down. That’s par for the course.
The bill specifically calls for all schools in the state to post the motto on a plaque, piece of artwork or by some similar means.
In a press release published on his website, Saccone said he hopes the bill will promote “patriotism through the display of the national motto” while educating “children about an important but overlooked part of Pennsylvania’s heritage.”
He’s hoping to use the opportunity to praise the 150th anniversary of the inclusion of “In God We Trust” on coins, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
“In God We Trust” didn’t become the national motto until 1956, however the phrase was added to 2 cent coins in April 1864 by former Pennsylvania Gov. James Pollock after President Abraham Lincoln appointed him to direct the Mint.
This history in mind, Saccone believes it’s only natural to place the motto in schools.
“It’s displaying our national motto. So they can have Harry Potter on the walls, zombies and witches on brooms but not the national motto?” he said. “It would just be posted in the building somewhere so the kids know what the story is behind it. It’s about teaching history.”
