H. Res. 548

In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

July 24, 2000.

Whereas the national motto of the United States is ‘‘In God

we trust’’;

Whereas the national motto was adopted in 1956 and is codified in the laws of the United States at section 302 of

title 36, United States Code;

Whereas the national motto is a reference to the Nation’s

‘‘religious heritage’’ (Lynch v. Donnelly, 465 U.S. 668,

676 (1984));

Whereas the national motto recognizes the religious beliefs

and practices of the American people as an aspect of our

national history and culture;

Whereas nearly every criminal law on the books can be traced

to some religious principle or inspiration;

Whereas the national motto is deeply interwoven into the fabric of our civil polity;

Whereas the national motto recognizes the historical fact that

our Nation was believed to have been founded ‘‘under

God’’;

Whereas the content of the national motto is as old as the

Republic itself and has always been as integral a part of
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the first amendment as the very words of that charter of

religious liberty;

Whereas the display and teaching of the national motto to

public school children has a valid secular purpose, such

secular purpose being to foster patriotism, symbolize the

historical role of religion in our society, express confidence in the future, inculcate hope, and instruct in humility;

Whereas there is a long tradition of government acknowledgment of religion in mottoes, oaths, and anthems;

Whereas the national motto serves ‘‘the legitimate secular

purposes of solemnizing public occasions, expressing confidence in the future, and encouraging the recognition of

what is worthy of appreciation in society’’ (Lynch v. Donnelly, 465 U.S. at 693 (O’Connor, J., concurring));

Whereas the national motto reflects the sentiment that ‘‘[w]e

are a religious people whose institutions presuppose a Supreme Being’’ (Zorach v. Clauson, 343 U.S. 306, 313

(1952));

Whereas President George Washington, in his Farewell Address, stated, ‘‘[o]f all the dispositions and habits which

lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports,’’ and ‘‘[w]hatever may be conceded

to the influence of 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,’’ and ‘‘let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can prevail in exclusion of religious

principle’’;
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Whereas President John Adams wrote that it is religion and

morality alone which can establish the principles upon

which freedom can securely stand;

Whereas the role of religion in public life is an important one

which deserves the public’s attention;

Whereas 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;

Whereas President George Washington, in his First Inaugural Address, said that ‘‘it 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 a Government instituted by themselves for these essential purposes’’;

Whereas the First Congress urged President George Washington to proclaim ‘‘a day of public thanksgiving and

prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful

hearts the many single favours of Almighty God’’;

Whereas the First Congress reenacted the Northwest Ordinance, which stated that ‘‘[r]eligion, morality, and knowledge, being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education

shall forever be encouraged’’;

Whereas the Declaration of Independence demonstrates this

Nation was founded on transcendent values which flow

from a belief in a Supreme Being;
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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;

Whereas religion has been closely identified with the history

and Government of the United States;

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; and

Whereas the national motto is prominently engraved in the

wall above the Speaker’s dais in the Chamber of the

House of Representatives, appears over the entrance to

the Chamber of the Senate, and is depicted on all United

States coins and currency: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives encourages

the display of the national motto of the United States in public buildings throughout the Nation.

Attest:

Clerk.