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Reaffirming "In God We Trust" as the Official Motto of the United States

Floor Speech

Date: Nov. 3, 2011
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Religion

Mr. LANKFORD. Mr. Speaker, I hear many people say, that our country has never been more at odds or our rhetoric more divisive than now--I would strongly disagree. While I believe that our debate and tone should reflect respect for each person, regardless of the deep philosophical divide--I would remind us of a time in 1861 when our nation stood at the precipice of the Civil War and the oratory spilled over into bloodshed. During that dark moment in our nation's history, the Secretary of the Treasury ordered the Director of the US Mint to create a new inscription for the nation's coins: He wrote,

No nation can be strong except in the strength of God, or safe except in His defense. The trust of our people in God should be declared on our national coins. You will cause a device to be prepared without unnecessary delay with a motto expressing in the fewest and tersest words possible this national recognition.


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