“In God We Trust” in Capitol Visitor’s Center

PRESS RELEASE, 10/1/2009 - WASHINGTON, DC: U.S. Congressman Mike Pence released the following statement after the unveiling of our national motto "In God We Trust" engraved in stone in the Capitol Visitor Center:

"Our nation's rich spiritual heritage was further declared with the unveiling of our national motto ‘In God We Trust,' carved in stone in the recently completed Capitol Visitor Center.

"I am grateful for the leadership of Congressman Dan Lungren who introduced the legislation directing the Architect of the Capitol to emblazon this sacred motto in the Visitor's Center, which garnered the support of 410 Members in the House, as well as for the strong leadership of Congressman Randy Forbes, the Chairman of the Congressional Prayer Caucus.

"This motto is now permanently etched in the Center which now serves as the gateway into the United States Capitol building, and it is my hope that this will always be a visible reminder of the faith from which we come and the God who has so greatly blessed our nation."

See photo at Rep. Forbes website. Read More......

In God We Trust

Do you believe that our national motto should be "in God we Trust"? Lets WRITE IT ON THE BACK OF OUR ENVELOPES or on the front. WE THINK THIS IS A GREAT IDEA. We'll put it on bills, payments and personal mail. We're going to get a stamp made just for this purpose.∴ You may have heard in the news that a couple of Post Offices in Texas have been forced to take down small posters that say ''IN GOD WE TRUST,' opponents say the law is being violated. We heard proposed on a radio show, that we should all write ' IN GOD WE TRUST' on the back of all our mail. After all, that's our National Motto, and on all the money we use to buy stamps. ∴ We think it's a wonderful idea. And we hope you'll send this on to all your friends and encourage them to do it, too! --Charles & Jean Read More......

No decision yet on Pledge or U.S. Motto

Pacific Justice Institute, Sacramento, CA, Dec. 4: A year after lawsuits against the Pledge of Allegiance and national motto ["In God We Trust"] were argued before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the fate of both cases still hangs in the balance.

Both lawsuits were filed by atheist Michael Newdow, who convinced the Ninth Circuit in 2002 that recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance in schools is unconstitutional. The U.S. Supreme Court overturned that decision on a technicality, which Newdow has since avoided in re-filing a similar suit. A federal district judge in Sacramento sided with Newdow against the Pledge of Allegiance but rejected a separate attempt by him to have the national motto, "In God We Trust," removed from our nation's currency.

The Pacific Justice Institute intervened as a co-defendant with the U.S. government in the national motto case. PJI Chief Counsel Kevin Snider, who argued in defense of "In God We Trust" at the Ninth Circuit last year, commented, "While the courts have shown some alarming tendencies to agree with Michael Newdow, particularly in his battle against the Pledge of Allegiance, the good news is that he has not yet succeeded in silencing recitation of the Pledge throughout the West Coast, or in erasing In God We Trust from our national currency." Karen Milam, who heads PJI's Southern California office, added, "PJI responds to thousands of request for help every year, but these two cases are particularly important because of their nationwide implications. For this reason, the Pacific Justice Institute will continue to defend our time-honored national traditions - all the way to the Supreme Court, if necessary."

With no time limits on its decision-making process, the Ninth Circuit stands in contrast to both the U.S. and California Supreme Courts. The U.S. Supreme Court begins its annual term in October and typically announces all of its decisions by June. The California Supreme Court issues decisions within ninety days after oral arguments are held. The Ninth Circuit is easily the largest of the twelve federal circuit courts, having jurisdiction over nine western states as well as Pacific territories. Several legal commentators and even Ninth Circuit judges have called in vain for its division into two or more smaller circuits to increase efficiency. Read More......