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 codi-
fied 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 fab-
ric 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
•HRES 548 EH
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 con-
fidence in the future, inculcate hope, and instruct in hu-
mility;
Whereas there is a long tradition of government acknowledg-
ment of religion in mottoes, oaths, and anthems;
Whereas the national motto serves ‘‘the legitimate secular
purposes of solemnizing public occasions, expressing con-
fidence in the future, and encouraging the recognition of
what is worthy of appreciation in society’’ (Lynch v. Don-
nelly, 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 Su-
preme Being’’ (Zorach v. Clauson, 343 U.S. 306, 313
(1952));
Whereas President George Washington, in his Farewell Ad-
dress, stated, ‘‘[o]f all the dispositions and habits which
lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are in-
dispensable 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 suppo-
sition 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 ap-
pealed to the Supreme Judge of the World for the rec-
titude of their intentions, and avowed a firm reliance of
the protection of Divine Providence;
Whereas President George Washington, in his First Inau-
gural 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 provi-
dential 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 insti-
tuted by themselves for these essential purposes’’;
Whereas the First Congress urged President George Wash-
ington 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 Ordi-
nance, which stated that ‘‘[r]eligion, morality, and knowl-
edge, being necessary to good government and the happi-
ness 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 ear-
nestly 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 pub-
lic buildings throughout the Nation.
Attest:
Clerk.