Florida students returning to school this week will start noticing the official state motto “In God We Trust” appearing around them.
Signs displaying the motto will be placed up in “conspicuous place[s]” on school grounds as mandated by a bill signed by Gov. Rick Scott back in March.
The new statute (1003.44), which took effect on July 1, states: “Each district school board shall adopt rules to require, in all of the schools of the district and in each building used by the district school board, the display of the state motto, ‘In God We Trust,’ designated under s. 15.0301, in a conspicuous place.”
Democratic Rep. Kimberly Daniels, who runs a Christian ministry, said the legislation is needed, reported Orlando Sentinel.
“This motto is inscribed on the halls of this great capitol and inked on our currency, and it should be displayed so that our children will be exposed and educated on this great motto, which is a part of this country’s foundation,” Daniels said while pushing her bill (HB 839) in the House Committee, reported the news website. “Something so great should not be hidden.”
In another address to the House Committee in February, while speaking directly of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High shooting, Daniels said, “The real thing that needs to be addressed are issues of the heart,” reported Tampa Bay Times.
While talking about issues in Florida schools, she used video games as an example, saying that children were being trained as virtual assassins. She said that people will come to realize that problems are much larger than politics.
“We cannot put God in a closet when the issues we face are bigger than us,” she said.
According to the Department of State, the motto “In God We Trust” was adopted by the Florida legislature as part of the state seal in 1868. It was adopted as the official Florida motto in 2006. It is also the official motto for the United States.
