03/29/2024
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The Bladen County Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution in the consent agenda Monday to add the United States’ Motto, “In God We Trust” to all county-owned buildings. The motto has already been added to the county’s seal and county vehicles.

“I think it is wonderful the board has taken this initiative,” said Bladen County Manager Greg Martin.

The county has 14 buildings on which the motto will be added. The addition of the motto is an effort undertaken by the U.S. Motto Action Committee. Martin said the committee has been very active in reaching out to communities.

Bladen County Commissioners Chairman Charles Ray Peterson said he received a telephone call from a member of the group inquiring whether Bladen County would be interested in adding the motto to its buildings. Chairman Peterson said he explained the county had already undertaken the effort to add it to the county seal and on the county vehicles.

When asked about adding the motto to the buildings, Chairman Peterson said, “I think it’s fantastic. I think we need more of that.”

There is no cost to the county affiliated with adding the motto to the county’s buildings. Chairman Peterson said the U.S. Motto Action Committee raises the money and pays for the motto to be installed.

Chairman Peterson and Martin both said they did not have a time frame for the installation to be completed.

The U.S. Motto Action Committee was formed in 2002 when David White petitioned Commissioner Rick Lanier to place the national motto, “In God We Trust” on the Davidson County Governmental Center.  In December 2002 the motto was added to the Davidson County Governmental Central and the U.S. Motto Action Committee was born. The committee’s efforts have been challenged in court by the ACLU. The lawsuit was dismissed in 2004 and US Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the lower court’s decision. In 2005, the US Supreme Court refused to hear the case.

If you would like more information about the U.S. Motto Action Committee, call 336-798-7700.

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