Virginia lawmakers: Schools should post national motto

By The Associated Press

02.13.02

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RICHMOND, Va. — A bill requiring Virginia's public schools to post signs reading "In God We Trust" has been approved by the state Senate.

The legislation passed 30-10 yesterday, and a similar bill has passed the state's House of Delegates. The two houses still need to consider each other's bills.

The measure's sponsor, Republican Sen. Nick Rerras, said the national motto offers a much-needed expression of hope in an era of terrorism and weakening moral values.

Senate Democratic Leader Richard L. Saslaw was the only senator who spoke against the Virginia bill, saying it trivialized the word "God." He said the moral decline Rerras described has occurred largely in the years since Congress made "In God We Trust" the national motto in 1956. The motto's inclusion on coins and currency hasn't helped, he said.

"It is on the back of all of our currency — not the front, the back of our currency," Saslaw said. "If you think this promotes either some type of good conduct or patriotism or whatever, keep in mind people will pull a gun out of their pocket and kill to get their hands on this piece of paper, so it does no such thing."

Saslaw proposed an amendment to make Rerras' bill effective only if Congress passes legislation requiring that the motto be posted in federal buildings. It was rejected.

"This country has clearly approved and indicated that the term 'In God We Trust' is a patriotic phrase and symbol that gives inspiration to the entire nation," Rerras said.

Virginia is not the only state moving to display the motto in its schools.

A Mississippi state law that took effect July 1 requires "In God We Trust" to be posted in every public classroom, cafeteria and gym. The slogan must be "on an appropriately framed background" of at least 11-by-14 inches.

Florida's House Council on Lifelong Learning last week unanimously passed a bill that would require school superintendents to allow an "In God We Trust" motto to hang prominently in schools. The Council voted 12-0 for the bill, which now goes before the full House.

And in Indiana, legislation to put the motto in 60,000 classrooms statewide passed the state Senate last week. It now advances to the House for consideration.

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