A Kansas state legislator is backing a bill to require public buildings to display the national motto “In God We Trust.”
State Rep. Michael Capps sponsored legislation that mandates every state and municipal building in Kansas, including libraries and classrooms in public schools, colleges and universities, display the official motto adopted by the U.S. Congress in 1956.
Capps said the motto “should be displayed as an acknowledgment of our country’s history and founding principles.”
Co-sponsor Rep. Brandon Reed said the motto is the right remedy for troubled times, adding —
“If one kid walks into school and they see over the auditorium or in the office window, or something like that, and they’ve been having a bad day, if they just see that message, if it speaks internally to them some way, and they can change their outlook for the day, I think it’s worth it.”
The lower house of the Kansas legislature has already held open hearing on the bill.
There are critics including some lawmakers and atheist groups.
In response to critics, Rep. Capps emailed a statement to the Wichita Eagle, recalling that President Dwight Eisenhower signed the bill that established the national motto.
In the letter he wrote, “Misguided people have attempted to sunder the country ever since then,” “If fringe groups are offended, they are welcome to move elsewhere.”
Capps added that he will continue to pray that atheists “come to find the love our country our founders showed.”