West Virginia public schools may soon be required to display the phrase “In God We Trust” on every building if a bill passed by the state Senate on Monday becomes law.
The bill was introduced by Republican Sen. Mike Azinger, who said he wants to give kids in schools something to look up to and let them know it’s okay to “say God” at school.
“We know there are a lot of kids who have problems at home, hard times at home that we don’t know about,” Azinger said, speaking on the Senate floor. “Maybe one day they’ll look up and say, ‘In God we trust,’ and know they can put their hope in God.”
The bill now heads to the West Virginia House of Delegates. Requires K-12 public schools and public institutions of higher learning to display the official US national motto on durable banners or in frames affixed in a “conspicuous location” in each building.
Displays must also contain images of the US national and state flags, but may not display other words, images, or information. They must be donated or purchased through private donations.
Similar laws have been passed in Texas, Kentucky, Louisiana, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, and several other states. Mississippi was the first state to pass a law requiring “In God We Trust” to be displayed in public schools in 2001.
Former President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed into law making “In God We Trust” the official US national motto on July 30, 1956, two years after he pushed to insert the phrase “under God.” in the Pledge of Allegiance.
“It was adopted during a time of disunity in the United States, at a time when unity was needed,” Azinger said Monday. “And I think that’s where we are in the United States in a lot of ways.”