Washington, D.C. – Amador County Congressman Dan Lungren (R-District 3) inspected the engraving of the national motto, “In God We Trust,” at the new Capitol Visitor’s Center in Washington, D.C., and called it a “superb job” and a “reminder of the importance our Founders placed on the guidance of Providence.” Lungren released a statement saying the capitol architect on Tuesday had finished engraving the motto, In God We Trust, at the Visitor’s Center. Lungren said the Visitor’s Center “is a wonderful addition to the capitol complex and it welcomes everyone who comes to share in our nation’s history.” He said the Visitor’s Center “itself contains a variety of statues including among others Sakajawea, King Kamehananea of Hawaii, Janet Rankin, (the first female member of Congress) and even Filo T. Farnsworth of Utah (the father of television).” Lungren said “In the midst of these wonderful symbols identifying us as a nation, I felt that an additional element of our nation’s history would add to this representation of our common patrimony and would be a reminder of the importance our Founders placed on the guidance of Providence in the birth, development and future of our Nation.” The motto, In God We Trust, was supported to be engraved on the Visitor’s Center by a House of Representatives resolution, passed on a vote of 410-8. But it was also subject of a lawsuit filed by an atheist group seeking to block the engraving of the motto, on grounds of a separation of church and state. The same group, Freedom From Religion Foundation rallied Wednesday at the Lodi City Council meeting to protest convocations to open City Council meetings there. But the plan backfired and the council voted Wednesday to keep an “uncensored convocation” as part of city council practices. Capitol Public Radio, KXJZ reported Thursday that: “Lodi’s City Council will continue to open meetings with a prayer. Council members voted Wednesday night to allow non-denominational invocations.” Freedom From Religion reportedly is also fighting such prayer practices in other small towns across California. The group’s federal lawsuit was filed July 14th to block “In God We Trust” from being engraved on the Visitor’s Center wall. The motto adorns numerous Washington D.C. buildings, but is part of the basis of the suit alleging a violation of the U.S. Constitution. The suit alleges the motto would violate the First Amendment. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.