A bill unanimously advanced through the Senate Education Committee Thursday that would require each public school in Louisiana to display the national motto “In God We Trust.”
The bill, introduced by Sen. Regina Barrow, D-Baton Rouge, would require each school district to display the national motto in each school by the 2019-20 school year.
Barrow said she was motivated to propose the legislation after Gov. John Bel Edwards’ prayer breakfast last week.
“We have an obligation to ensure students have that introduction because we cannot always assume that it’s necessarily happening at home,” she said.
Sen. Beth Mizell, R-Franklinton, supports the bill and told the committee that a number of schools already display the motto. In Tangipahoa Parish, Mizell said, there is a school board member who made it her business to install “In God We Trust” throughout parish schools.
The Tennessee legislature recently passed a similar bill that is heading to the governor’s desk for signature. Similar legislation also has popped up in Arkansas, Florida, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Wyoming.
“In God We Trust” became the national motto in 1956.
Proponents across the nation argue that the motto is on U.S. money and on license plates. They argue that it is a cornerstone of freedom and should be taught in schools.
Read the full story at KLFY
