Bush seals the deal: 'In God We Trust' is official state motto
By Paul Flemming
CAPITOL BUREAU
You just thought "In God We Trust" was Florida's state motto.
After all, isn't it there on the state seal? Been there since Reconstruction days?
ADVERTISEMENT
It's there, all right, but a search of state statutes would come up empty.
Until Thursday.
Gov. Jeb Bush signed into law a bill that makes "In God We Trust" the state's motto not just by custom since 1868, but officially.
"It wasn't until Andrew Killinger and Samual Ard, two industrious fourth-graders at Maclay School here in Tallahassee, couldn't find the motto in our laws and started the process of getting it adopted," Bush said. "Thanks to their efforts . . . we will sign this bill into law."
The 10-year-olds were nonchalant about their success Thursday. The final act started with a class assignment to write about the state motto. That hit a snag when they discovered that an official one didn't exist.
"We thought we'd get a bad grade," Andrew said.
"I didn't really believe it," Samual said.
But their lobbyist parents suggested doing something about it. They approached Rep. Greg Evers, a Baker Republican, who sponsored the bill.
Bush signed the law at a public ceremony during this year's Boys State, a leadership convention of teen boys sponsored by the American Legion.
Evers said it's a testament to citizen involvement.
"This is a statement that will ring throughout the state," Evers said. "Government is of the people and by the people. Sometimes we as elected officials forget that. This takes it back to the grass roots."
Lori Killinger, Andrew's mother, said it didn't hurt to have appealing boys carrying the bill through committee hearings.
"It was a state motto that could have brought out people who opposed it," she said. "I was very mindful of that."
A House staff analysis raised the issue of constitutionality, but concluded that federal courts have said mentioning God is OK.
"It is quite obvious that . . . 'In God We Trust' has nothing whatsoever to do with the establishment of religion. Its use is of patriotic or ceremonial character and bears no true resemblance to a governmental sponsorship of a religious exercise," ruled the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Arizona, Ohio and South Dakota also have state mottoes that mention God.
The bill sailed through, passing both House and Senate unanimously.
"I knew it was a real success story when people wanted to get on the bill," with amendments, Lori Killinger said.
Paul Flemming is bureau chief for Gannett News Service in Tallahassee and can be reached at (850) 222-8384 or pflemming@nettally.com.
What I really love is this statement: "It is quite obvious that . . . 'In God We Trust' has nothing whatsoever to do with the establishment of religion. Its use is of patriotic or ceremonial character and bears no true resemblance to a governmental sponsorship of a religious exercise," ruled the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Really??? I am a very non-religious person and I don't see that not being a religious statement. I swear that before long we will all be rising our arms in nazi fashion to greet the Bush family... Why can't they just go away?!?!?! 
Thanks for the tattoo comments--yeah, I love it!
Well what a trip first of all.
Its weird, I did something simular though I drove myself.
I`ve been on that Newcastle to Kristiansand ferry route. I actually went to Bergen and returned from Kristiansand.
So the Newcastle boat is funny as hell, you get a nice cabin, there are several bars and a few places to eat including one decent restaurant. There is a Cinema but ist not too great. There is some sort of clown for the kids in the day. In the evening there is a piano bar with Kareokee later on. Everyone getas thourghly pissed and has a sing along. I think a lot of people from Newcastle do the trip just for duty free booze and stuff and they do like to sing. So that will be an experience
Kristiansand is a small port with nothing much to do, except at night! Its packed beyond belief on nights when a boat goes from there. There is a weird English drinking street by the bay and just so many people in such a small place. But that was a Saturday. The bay is small but nice and there are loads of back streets with bars.
It looks like you drive to Oslo from there. Oslo is nice plenty to do but if you do anything go and see the Viking Boats in the Viking museum. Its small, but the boats are amazing. The museums are pretty much in the same area and you can get there by boat from the main city square. Oslo also has a cool rock bar which I will find out the name for you.
Then it looks like you go to Bergen. That drive will be very beautiful, and you`ll have to take a ferry now and then. The biggest Fyord in Norway is somewhere round there and the tallest mountains are round there too.
Bergen is charming and if you do anything then get yourself up to the top of the hill. There is like a tram car to take you to the top and the view is lovely. Also if you eat meat try a Polser (hot dog norwegian style).
You`ll find Norway really expensive, but you always get a quality item. I think I paid 15 dollars equivalent for a buger on the street, but it was delicous with all the sauces and good bread. Drinks are expensive but again you get a good portion.
Voss, Lom, Lillehammer ect are all quite small but the country side round there is amazing.
In Stockholm sweden make sure to find and walk around the Old town, lovely shops and great buildings.
In Copenhagen be sure to walk round the Tivoli Gardens at night. It is touristy but very nice.
That`s all I can say, which I`m sure is enough
keep well