Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2006 • I support the national motto

Publisher’s note: This opinion piece, written by  John T. Doolittle, House Republican Conference Secretary, originally appeared in the Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2006 edition of the Lassen County Times.

I have co-sponsored House Resolution 302, supporting the national motto of the United States, “In God We Trust,” in response to recent attempts to strip the motto and all things pertaining to God from our national heritage.

Michael Newdow, known for his attempt to remove the words “under God” from the Pledge of Allegiance, has announced he will file another anti-God lawsuit. This time, Mr. Newdow is attempting to remove the phrase “In God We Trust” from all U.S. currency.

“In God We Trust” is as old as the Republic itself and is an integral part of the Constitution and our religious liberties. Our national motto reflects the traditional sentiment that the recognition of God is deeply interwoven into the fabric of our daily lives.

A liberal front is under way to find God and all things pertaining to Him unconstitutional. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. “In God We Trust” has deep, historical significance dating back to the early days of our nation and we should not let these four powerful words be stripped from our buildings and currency. This resolution is necessary in order to prevent a few anti-God bullies from white-washing our nation’s heritage with their so called “politically-correct” rhetoric.

The Founding Fathers believed the unalienable rights of man were rooted in God. This belief is clearly evidenced in their writings, from the Mayflower Compact to the Constitution itself.

Because of the influence of these important documents, “In God We Trust” appears on all coins and currency issued by the United States Treasury.

“In God We Trust” also appears prominently engraved in the wall above the Speaker’s dais in the Chamber of the House of Representatives and over the entrance to the Chamber of the Senate.