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Kentucky Bill Calls For 'In God We Trust' School Displays

Josh James
/
WUKY

A Kentucky lawmaker has pre-filed a bill mandating that the national motto “In God We Trust” be clearly displayed in the state’s public elementary and secondary schools.

State Rep. Brandon Reed says we “need God in our schools now more than ever,” and he’s pressing for a state law requiring the motto in a “prominent location” in the schools.

The Hodgenville Republican went on to say there is no reason the state should be ashamed of the phrase, adding that it should be reflected in public life. Reed told KET in 2017 that, in addition to a background in agriculture and the court system, "I also have a ministry background. I'm an evangelist. So I'm just trying to bring all those backgrounds... to state government."

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports the ACLU plans to oppose the measure when it’s up for consideration during next year’s General Assembly. ACLU spokesperson Kate Miller says it’s become an annual tradition for Kentucky politicians to use their official positions to enshrine their “personal religious beliefs into law.”

In 2014, state lawmakers voted to place “In God We Trust” signs in state committee rooms.

President Dwight Eisenhower signed a law officially declaring the phrase the national motto in 1956.

Josh James fell in love with college radio at Western Kentucky University's student station, New Rock 92 (now Revolution 91.7). After working as a DJ and program director, he knew he wanted to come home to Lexington and try his hand in public radio.