The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutAgenda Report - March 29, 2006 D-02 SMAGENDA ITEM bml CITY OF LODI COUNCIL COMMUNICATION � IM AGENDA TITLE: Provide Direction to Staff on Whether to Return with Legal Analysis of the Pioposal to Display the National Motto, "In God We Trust" in the Council Chambers. MEETING DATE: March 29,2006 Special City Council Meeting PREPARED BY: Steve Schwabauer, City Attorney RECOMMENDED ACTION: That the City Council Provide direction to staff on whether to return with legal analysis of the proposal to Display the National Motto, "In God We Trust" in the Council Chamber. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: On January 26, 2006, the City Clerk was contacted by In God We Trust America, a nonprofit group promoting the display of the National Motto, "In God We Trust" in every council chambers in California. Councilmember Mounce requested that the request be agendized for council consideration, and attached is an example of the type of display Councilmember Mounce envisions. Consistent with past practice staff has prepared a brief report to allow Council direction before significant work is undertaken. City Attorney APPROVED: / �- I' Blair King, City�Manager On July 30, 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a law declaring "In God We Trust" the official motto of the United States. Fifty years later, the City of Lodi officially recognizes the historical significance of our national motto in our country's affairs. Display Our National Motto in Every City Hall in America January 24,2006 Dear City Clerk: In 2002, the Bakersfield City Council voted in favor of proudly and prominently displaying the national motto of the United States, "In God We Trust", in our Council Chambers at City Hall. Since that time, I helped to initiate an organization called, "In God We Trust — America", and we have attained 501(c)3 non-profit status. Our mission is to encourage every City in California and across the United States of America to follow Bakersfield's lead. I am pleased to inform you that, as of January 2006, 14 cities have voted in favor of joining this important patriotic effort. We would appreciate it if you would please forward the attached "In God We Trust — America" e-mail packet to each of the following officials in your city: Mayor, City Councilmembers, City Manager, and City Attorney. Thank you. Sincerely, q4"� Jacquie Sullivan Bakersfield City Councilmember "In God We Trust - America", Founder 1 President P.S. I welcome anyone interested in more information to contact me at (661) 834-4943 or via e-mail: jacauieklibertvstar.net We also have volunteers who will be making follow-up telephone calls. IN GOD WE TRUST —AMERICA, INC. P.O. BOX 11715 • BAKERSFIEID,CA 93389• (661)834-49430 jacauieklibertvstar.net A nan-profit 5010 educational corporation ID# 2624851 hUp://www.ingodwetmst-wneTica. com Awx)IIV Alt •sura[ an •Spingae snoftaj Sue Num ;sop io Sugomoad in llas;l guggaulaa Sgguol;n;gsuoaan jou seek pug °uoQua;ul s;l jeala apum IlaunoD S;la agp aouap!ea jagpjn; sl nor;ag s,llauno� �I� atP Su�uagsgo p[aysja,4eg ;o S;!a aqp jo uezg!a a Sq ;msekel jo unelo g )o Sully ag} ao aqua;sp[a-11011 aq,)L -ones; sIg) uI noglsod alglsuajap Saan g seq Slquam AID ag; pae'alglssewjad Sllguogn}1451100 si s;uawnaop pus sasejgd al;olj)ed Slsno!ngo Seldslp pau aanenpe o} S}Ia ail} p S;lllgg aip uolu!do Sm s! 11'pjo3aj mmp ag; tlllm'janaekog •lnjm3ans aq of suogoe s,l!agnoa S;l3 aq; o; aguaquga aq) asnea `legaa;od leuilalm g}!nt'pinoo golgek a;M!Ia mol asea legal galguega-Jana ae s! 0j31P'03ualleqa leuogn;gsuoa a g;Int gaggap uagei pus'alglsaa;ap gulaq jo aans v�ool sl 3uppoH -msgoupgd Iguogeu gagowojd uI paelonul Slangoe sunk )nq'sal;Ingao snoftm ul palgue;ua 3ulmoaaq jo But tuojd lou sunt l!aunoa 9113 aip Imp jml3 si ldaouoa slgl gunijaauoo suo!ssnas!p s,[launoa AID aip jo piomi au; `suogag s,paunoi aq; o; sa$uagega snogvA posse pus uogng!;!l a;sglu! aea aaoSue ORM '511014013 50111193 43 01P P +� 1411MVPF 011 "P ;oogv 1- 7167! noA •atsl;oialud leuogeu ageanoaaa al sent ,Seldslp aq;;gill ,S,guSls o; upas sent ';uawujaAoS Ieuogea a oliq sa;u;s duem ,;o gu!Man aql s;aalpa galgne si'wnun snqunld a„ asejgd ail gulSeldslp jo ao!snlau! s,l!aanoa �!a aip 'pua)m slip jo eauuaaglanl aI •S}Ingae snoftaj 3o 3ugowo id it jou gpini ;uawalgualuo ug jou pus ollom lguolleu agl sunt asejgd aq;;egl ipu2is of papnlau! aja,u „;snaj, aM poo uI„ aseagd aqj punoje "mm uopulonb agZ mwl;ouled agemoaua o; uaaq sug Sllua)slsuoa;ualu! pape3s s,llaunoa S;Ia au) 'SSolou!waa; o);om Ienogeu aq; uo ioluao o) pamaas pallnsm galq u uolssnoslp a!lgnd aip al!gM •msgou;ud;o;ulds ag; palpogma g3lgm'U8AMRS iagtuaW;puna Sq pasodojd }daauoa a p ;lnsaj )aaj!p a sunt suot;ae asagl;o uopejaplsuoa prulguo ail; •S}lunwwoa aqp upplm utsgoµlsd p:uoggu jo 1!j!ds it agejnoaua pau ap!Aojd of paunoa aip Sq ua3lep He ajant suogae asaU -aaglo s,31.wID S1!j aip mojj sswag gent aip uo Seids!p ,Xuauinoop Ieauo;sM, a pagsgge;sa llaanoa aq; 'osl'V •psas awes agl ntolaq „ucnun sngImjd a„ amjgd aip pappu llaunoa ag1'uoglppv uI •sjagmugj lounoa aip ul palsaol playsia4ugjo AID ag13o leas ail; anogB („;snjy aM POD uI„) o}loui leuogeu ag1 Seldslp of paplaP `PlaysjaXeg;o SAID ail} jo suazgla agp 30 )soja;u! ;5014 agp a!'Plallsja3leg l0 AID aip !o I!aanoj Sp!j aip `ZM3Z ul :saosjad pa;saja;al pus uenglns iagmaW llaunoi jeaQ age j%WoeN ;o AUMO V;qAlUj aU tOtC6 'slWQJM93 'WISPAMVG ow” unwil lost 9 p eM ljogweVg Rouno:'uenllnS sjobaup •syy too V91 AInr Noe m -M awnswd li44'WMl" 'JNCMfMa WO V3'9VAOMMV! 9llNlntl NiLL7�f W1.365f CRY J�31�71NibdtPJWf► G7mdsHaxva z10 "a PMU a WTV R A<YNmQ1.LY Afil.'ba\Ef4180 r The Constitutionality of the National Motto "In God We Trust" a In September of 1814 during the British bombardment of Fort McHenry, Francis Scott Key composed the poem "Star Spangled Banner" of which one line of the final stanza is "And this be our motto: 'In God is our trust."' a In 1861 The Chief Justice Chase of the Supreme Court wrote the following in a letter to the director of the US Mint: "No nation can be strong except in the strength of God, or safe except in His defense. The trust of our people in God should be declared on our national coins." • In 1866 Congress enacted legislation authorizing the inscription of the phrase "In God We Trust" to be placed on certain coins. • In 1931 Congress passed the act that until today officially designates as the national anthem" the composition of the words and music known as the Star Spangled Banner • In 1955 Congress mandated the inscription of "In God We Trust" on all coins and paper currency. a A 1956 Congress codified "In God We Trust" as the national motto. Thus, "In God We Trust" has remained our national motto since 1956. a The United States Code itself contains religious references. For example, Congress has directed the President to " set aside and proclaim a suitable day each year as a National Day of Prayer, on which the people of the United States may tum to God in prayer and meditation at churches, in groups, and as individuals. • By statute the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag describes the United States as "one Nation under God". Likewise our National Motto, "In God We Trust" is prominently engraved in the wall above the Speaker s dais in the Chamber of the House of Representatives and is reproduced on every coin minted and every dollar printed by the Federal Government. a The Judicial Branch also acknowledges the central role of religion in our society. All federal courts open sessions with the request that " God save the United States and this honorable Court. ■ The Ten Commandments are posted in the US Supreme Court Chambers directly above the bench where the nine justices sit. RESOLUTION NO. 2006-47 A RESOLUTION OF THE LODI CITY COUNCIL ADOPTING "LIVABLE, LOVABLE LODI" AS THE OFFICIAL MOTTO OF THE CITY OF LODI WHEREAS, there is no record of Council approving or officially adopting the motto or slogan of "Livable, Lovable Lodi"; however, it has been used in marketing materials and various resources dating back to 1951. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Lodi City Council that "Livable, Lovable Lodi" is hereby adopted as the official motto of the City of Lodi. Dated: March 29,2006 hereby certify that Resolution No. 2006-47 was passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Lodi in a special meeting held March 29, 2006,bythe following vote: AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS — Beckman, Hansen, Mounce, and Mayor Hitchcock NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS — Johnson ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS— None ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS — None SUSAN J. BLACKSTON City Clerk 2006-47 MY NAME IS KEN OWEN; I AM THE DIRECTOR OF CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CONCERNS. I STARTED THAT ORGANIZATION IN 1985 OUT OF A DEEP CONCERN AND CONVICTION THAT OUR COUNTRY WAS SHOWING SIGNS OF LEAVING OUR MORAL UNDER-PENNINGS. AND OUR GODLY HERITAGE. THIS COUNTRY WAS FOUNDED ON A BELIEF IN GOD, AND HIS PRINCIPLES, BUT IN THE LAST 50-60 YEARS THERE HAS BEEN A CONTINUAL ERODING OF THOSE PRINCIPLES. THE SIGNS WERE SUBTLE AT FIRST, BUT TODAY THEY ARE OBVIOUS TO ANYONE AND EVERYONE. • CHRISTMAS BREAK IS NOW CALLED WINTER BREAK • EASTER BREAK IS NOW CALLED SPRING BREAK • MERRY CHRISTMAS IS NOW HAPPY HOLIDAYS • MICHAELNEWDOW ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE ONENATION UNDER GOD FROM THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. HE FAILED IN THAT ATTEMPT. • HE NOW WANTS OUR NATIONAL MOTTO "ONE NATION UNDER G O D REMOVED FROM OUR CURRENCY. ROGER BALDWIN THE FOUNDER OF THE ACLU STATED THAT THEIR GOAL WAS TO ELIMINATE RELIGION IN AMERICA ENTIRELY, AND THAT THEY WOULD USE AMERICA'S BELIEF IN CIVIL LIBERTIES, AND FREEDOM OF SPEECH TO TURN AMERICA AGAINST IT'S OWN TRADITIONS. WE ARE HERE TONIGHT TO PETITION THIS COUNCIL TO HELP PUT A STOP TO THE EROSION OF OUR NATIONAL HISTORY, AND GODLY HERITAGE. JACQUE SULLIVANA CITY COUNCIL MEMBER IN BAKERSFIED1 AS LED THE WAY FOR US BY PETITIONING THAT COUNCIL TO DISPLAY OURNATIONAL MOTTO "IN GOD WE TRUST" IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THAT CITY. THE VOTE WAS 6-1 IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION. SINCE THAT TIME 13 OTHER CITIES HAVE VOTED TO PROUDLY DISPLAY THE MOTTO IN THEIR COUNCIL CHAMBERS. THE MEASURES TO DISPLAY THE MOTTO HAVE MET LITTLE OR NO RESISTANCE IN EACH CITY, WITH NEAR UNANIMOUS SUPPORT FROM EACH OF THE CITY COUNCILS. JACQUIE HAS SENT LETTERS TO EVERY CITY COUNCIL MEMBER IN CALIFORNIA ASKING THEM TO FOLLOW SUIT. OUR OWN COUNCIL MEMBER JOANNE MOUNCE RESPONDED TO THAT LETTER AND HAS PICKED UP THE MANTLE TO HAVE "IN GOD WE TRUST" DISPLAYED IN LODI, AND I APPLAUD HER FOR THAT. I ENCOURAGE AND STRONGLY URGE EACH ONE OF YOU TO JOIN WITH THESE PATRIOTS IN ALLOWING OUR NATIONAL MOTTO TO BE DISPLAYED IN LODI. WE'RE NOT ASKING YOU TO DISPLAY A CROSS, OR A STAR OF DAVID, OR ANY PARTICULAR SECT OF RELIGIOUS DENOMINATION. WE'RE SIMPLY ASKING YOU TO DISPLAY OURNATIONAL MOTTO "IN GOD WE TRUST' WHICH WAS PASSED BY CONGRESS, AND SIGNED INTO LAW BY THEN PRESIDENT DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER ON JULY 30,1956. MOTTOS AND SYMBOLISMS ARE VERY IMPORTANT IN PRESERVING VALUES AND GOALS, BUT THEY SELDOM REFLECT REALITY. FOR INSTANCE: THE SACRAMENTO KINGS HAVE A LION AS THEIR MASCOT. WE ALL KNOW THAT THE LION IS THE KING OF THE JUNGLE. SAD TO SAY THE KINGS HAVE NEVER BEEN THE KING OF THE BASKETBALL COURT, BUT IT'S A CONSTANT REMINDER OF WHAT THEY WANT TO BECOME. LIVABLE. LOVABLE, LODI IS FAR FROM REALITY, BUT IT'S WHAT WE WANT TO BECOME. EUREKA; OUR STATE MOTTO MEANS I HAVE FOUND IT, BUT MANY WHO ARE LEAVING THE STATE ARE SAYING I HAVE LOST IT. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU SEE THE AMERICAN EAGLE, OUR FLAG, IWO JIMA, THE NATIONAL MONUMENT, OR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, MOUNT RUSHMORE. AND OUR NATIONAL MOTTO? IF THESE SYMBOLS ARE EXPUNGED FROM OUR NATIONAL HISTORY, WHAT KIND OF A LEGACY ARE WE GOING TO LEAVE TO OUR CHILDREN? I WANT YOU TO THINK HARD ABOUT THAT LET ME CLOSE WITH THIS OUOTE FROM OUR 3$r' PRESIDENT C F tALD FORD. WITHO UT GOD THERE COULD BE NO AMERICAN FORM OF GOVERNMENT. NOR AN AMERICAN WAYOFLIFE, RECOGNITION OF THESUPREMEIS THEFIRST—THE MOST BASIC—EXPRESSION OFAMERICANISM, THUS THEFOUNDING FATHERS LLCAAIFR�A SWI T, J XD THUS WITH GOD'SHELP, IT WILL CONTINUE TO BE, DECEMBER Sr' 1974 HAT HE WAS SAYING IS THIS: IF WE EXPUNGE GOD FROM OUR HISTORY AND SYMBOLISMS, WE WILL CEASE TO BE THE NATION THAT OUR FOLJNDIN FATHERS INVISIONED. IT MAY STILL BE CALLED AMERICA, BUT ALL 01 d HE SUBSTANCE OF WHAT WE HAVE STOOD FOR OVER THE LAST 230 YEARS WILL BE LONE, THAT3 WHY WE'RE HERE TONIGHT TO PRESERVE WHAT ONLY 1 % OF THE PEOPLE WANT TO TAKE AWAY FROM US. Susan Blackston From: Susan Blackston Sent: Tuesday, March 28,2006 9:23 AM To: 'John Mead' Cc: City Council; Blair King; Steve Subject: RE: No to "In God We Trust" Dear John Mead: bava Page 1 of 1 rhis reply is to confirm that your message was received by the City Clerks Office and each member of the City Council. In addition. by copy of this e-mail, we have forwarded your message to the following departments for informational purposes: I) City Manager and 2) City Attorney. Thank you for expressing your views 'sl Susan J. Blackston, City Clerk -----Original Message ----- From: John Mead [mailto:jtmead@pacbell.net] Sent: Tuesday, March 28, 2006 12:41 AM To: Susan Blackston; Susan Hitchcock; Bob Johnson; JoAnne Mounce; John Beckman; Larry Hansen Subject: No to "In God We Trust" Lodi City Council: I am sending this email to voice my opposition to displaying the motto "In God We Trust" in the Council Chamber. It was added 50 years ago to the pledge -of -a I leg ianceas a divisive issue by right-wing Christians. Yes, our fore -fathers used "God" in their writings but they also owned slaves too... Let's don't take a step backward because of the squeaky -wheel Christians. We don't want to become the Taliban ... John Mead 301 W. Oak Lodi, CA 3/28/2006 Page 1 of 1 D got Wsan Blackston From: Susan Blackston Sent: Wednesday, March 29,2006 9:42 AM ro: 'Mike and Colleen Lusk' -c: City Council; Steve Schwabauer; Blair Subject: RE: City Motto )ear Mike and Colleen Lusk. 'his reply is to confirm that your message was received by the City Clerks Office and each member of the City Council. In addition, by copy of this e-mail, we have forwarded your message to the City Managerand City Attorney for informational purposes. 'hank you for expressing your views st Susan J. Blackston, City Clerk -----Original Message ----- From: Mike and Colleen Lusk [mailto:mclusk@softcom.net] Sent: Wednesday, March 29, 2006 9:30 AM To: Susan Blackston; Susan Hitchcock; Bob Johnson; JoAnne Mounce; John Beckman; Larry Hansen Subject: City Motto Council Members: We believe in the separation of church and state and do notwish to have in god we trust as the city motto. Thankyou Mike and Colleen Lusk. 1/29/2006