Irvine votes to display ‘In God We Trust’

Following the lead of several cities in Orange County and hundreds around the country, the city of Irvine will display the national motto “In God We Trust” in a yet-to-be-determined area of City Hall. In addition, Irvine leaders voted to include the Latin phrase “E Pluribus Unum” — Out of Many, One — in a balanced display in the public facility.

“It is a bit belated in our city while many other cities in the country picked up on this,” said Mayor Steven Choi in raising the agenda item at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. Councilwoman Lynn Schott added the idea of “E Pluribus Unum,” a phrase displayed on the Great Seal of the United States, in an amended motion.

“I think that is proper for reminding our children how our nation has been founded on this principle,” Choi said.

“In God We Trust” was formally adopted by Congress as the national motto in 1956 during the administration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower and appears on various denominations of U.S. paper currency and coins. The Senate reconfirmed the motto in 2006 and again by the House of Representatives in 2011 with language that encouraged display in civic buildings and public schools.

Since 2007, more than 500 cities in the U.S., including more than 100 in California and 18 in Orange County, have voted to show the motto in or on public spaces.

Lengthy discussion in council chambers Tuesday included more than a dozen members of the public expressing varied opinions about the motion. The council vote passed 4 to 1, with Councilwoman Beth Krom dissenting.

“I kind of think putting words above our heads here at the Civic Center will have no real purpose other than to possibly make some of the people that come here uncomfortable,” Krom said, “or make them feel there is a real effort to bring a religious message in to a civic space. I’m not questioning the constitutionality of this, I’m not arguing if it can be done, I’m speaking to whether it should be done.”

Other members of the council downplayed any religious aspect, citing tradition and heritage as the driving principles behind supporting the display.

“This is not about God,” Mayor Pro Tem Jeffrey Lalloway said. “This really is about a motto that people have used in America for generations.”

“The court systems have ruled repeatedly that this phrase does not have a religious overtone,” Lalloway added. “They’ve ruled and I think we need to have respect for their decision.”

“I think honoring our heritage by displaying both of these ardent national mottos would promote a great balance within our community,” Schott expressed. “To balance both visually and ideologically — to acknowledge those that do practice faith with our fellow neighbors who don’t.”

The issue of tolerance was debated as a two-way street among concerns over the separation of church and state and the right of religious expression. Choi, a naturalized U.S. citizen of Korean heritage, pointed out that the singing the unofficial anthem “God Bless America” at almost any sporting event seems to unify all people in attendance.

“This is not about religion, it’s about American tradition of which I am so proud,” Choi said.