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HASTINGS — Following over an hour of testimony and discussion, the Hastings city council voted 5-3 to allow the phrase “In God We Trust,” to be placed inside public city buildings during their meeting on Monday, April 28.
The resolution stated that the city would be allowed to post the phrase, “In God We Trust,” along with the City of Hastings’ logo inside public city buildings around the community.
Buildings would include the Hastings Public Library, Ducan Field, the Hastings Museum and the Aquacourt.
Per the information supplementing the city council’s agenda, the design, size and placement is in the hands of Mayor Jay Beckby or the designer.
During the vote, council members Steven Huntley, Michal Anderson, Brad Consbruck, Lawrence Consbruck and Marc Rowan voted in favor. Maggie Esch, Matt Fong and Brian Hoffman voted against the measure.
There were 23 residents who voiced their opinions on the resolution, with a seemingly even split between those who supported the resolution and those who opposed it.
The adoption and display by government institutions of “In God We Trust” dates back to the Cold War when in 1956 Congress adopted the phrase as the national motion of the United States. It replaced the E pluribus unum, (out of many, one) which had existed as the de facto motto.
Democratic Representative Charles Edward Bennett of Florida cited the Cold War when he introduced H. R. 619, which obliged “In God we trust” to be printed on all banknotes and struck on all coins, in the House, arguing that “[in] these days when imperialistic and materialistic communism seeks to attack and destroy freedom, we should continually look for ways to strengthen the foundations of our freedom”.
