Pennsylvania Democrat Promises to Veto 'In God We Trust;' Says National Motto Alienates Non-Christians
Pennsylvania's Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald vowed to exercise his veto power if the County Council passed legislation to post "In God We Trust" in the courthouse this week.
Fitzgerald told council members on Monday that the Constitutional motto attacks diversity and may offend "Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, Atheist, Muslim, Islamic or any other non-theistic group." Furthermore, he wrote that "In God We Trust" is a "code word" for right-wing evangelicals with an agenda.
"[The motto] is a movement by the right-wing evangelical Christians across the county basically to impose Christianity in courthouses and school buildings across the country," Fitzgerald wrote in an email to council members, according to CBS Pittsburgh. "We are disrespecting other religions and beliefs by promoting one above all others. If this legislation were to pass, we are telling everyone that our motto is that not all are welcome here."
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"Allegheny County and this region have become an accepting and inviting region in which we invite all people," he added.
Alternately, Councilwoman Sue Means is pushing for "In God We Trust" to be displayed in the Gold Room of the courthouse. The Bethel Park, Pennsylvania Republican identifies as an evangelical Christian and wants to see the national motto above a replica of the Bill of Rights, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
"It's out national motto," Means said. "It's patriotism. It's history."
Moreover, one state legislator said Fitzgerald's stance on the motto is ignorant.
"You should tell the county executive he should get educated on the national motto," said state Rep. Rick Saccone, according to Trib Total Media.
Saccone has pushed for "In God We Trust" to appear in Western Pennsylvania municipal buildings. He went on to point out that God's name in the U.S. government is a "unifying force."
"It's their ignorance that causes them to fear having God in a government place," he explained. "They shouldn't fear the name of God or the word 'God' in our government. In fact, they should embrace it as a unifying force."
Fitzgerald's promise to veto "In God We Trust" was approved by the council's government reform committee. Many members of the committee agreed that Pennsylvania's motto, "Virtue, Liberty and Independence," or another U.S. motto "E Pluribus Unum," should be displayed instead. The bill proposing an amendment to "In God We Trust" is on the agenda for the council's full meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 9.
Meanwhile, Congress passed a law in 1955 mandating that "In God We Trust" be on all coins and currency. One year later, the saying became the nation's official motto.
