Ted Poe: “I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I thank the gentleman from Virginia for introducing this resolution. ``In God We…”

“I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I thank the gentleman from Virginia for introducing this resolution. ``In God We Trust'' is an important part of American history, and this resolution is necessary to ensure that it remains a part of our history. Today, some individuals argue that the Constitution says that America cannot have any mention of God in a public atmosphere. These folks argue that Americans must be censored when they talk in public about God or even religion. I strongly disagree with that contention, the Supreme Court disagrees with that contention, and using the writings of our Founding Fathers as a guide, I believe they would also disagree with that contention. What makes us unique, Mr. Speaker, is the way we started as a Nation. We had this concept in the Declaration of Independence that we are worth something as individuals, and that we are worth something as individuals not because government gives us rights or men give us rights, but the Declaration of Independence says that we are all endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights. In God we trusted then and in God we must continue to trust now. The truth is that our Constitution says that we are guaranteed freedom of religion, not freedom from religion. And having the word ``God'' in our national motto does not establish an official religion for the country; it just simply recognizes the role that faith and religion have played in our history.…”