FRESNO COUNTY – The county’s elected officials will soon have a reminder of the national motto that often guides them in their work after the board of supervisors approved the display of the phrase “In God We Trust” in its meeting chambers.
Fresno County residents and each member of the board had a chance to weigh in on what the phrase means to them and why they believe it should — or should not — be represented in the chambers at the Fresno County Board of Supervisors meeting on Aug. 19. The board ultimately voted 4-1 to approve the action, which was brought forward by Vice Chair Garry Bredefeld.
“‘In God We Trust’ does not choose one religion over another; I wouldn’t support it if it did,” Bredefeld said. “It simply and eloquently reminds us that those of us that believe in God should trust in Him to guide us as we make important decisions for all citizens of Fresno County.”
Bredefeld said those who do not believe in God have the freedom to interpret the motto however they like or “simply disregard it.”
As the lone vote against the action, however, Supervisor Brian Pacheco said he would prefer to maintain a clear separation of church and state in the board chambers. Pacheco said that he is fully in support of the national motto, but does not think it belongs in a place of government.
“I have my own personal beliefs, but I make my decisions, what I believe is in the best interest of everyone that we serve, and I don’t wear it on my sleeve per se,” Pacheco said. “I believe God accepts everyone, yet it seems over the last several months we just do more and more things to divide people and groups.”
Pacheco’s concern was shared by many residents. While just two of the seven people who spoke during public comment opposed the inclusion of the motto in the chambers, nearly two dozen residents sent in written comments asking their supervisors not to approve the display.
Written comments said the inclusion of the phrase is performative, a waste of taxpayer money and suggestive of a religious preference. Though the funds for the signage will come from already allocated community funding under District 2, which Bredefeld represents, comments noted that the county budget is facing a deficit and said they wanted funding directed elsewhere.
One woman who spoke during public comment noted that the county has people from many faith traditions, some of which are monotheistic and believe in a singular God, and others that are polytheistic. All of these people, she said, “are equal as constituents and leaders.”
Other residents spoke in support of the motto’s display but said they did not like the proposed location, on the wall behind the board’s dais, above the county seal.
Residents said they don’t like seeing their elected leaders turn their backs on the motto, and would rather it be in front of each supervisor on the dais or on the back wall of the chambers. This way supervisors would see it as they face their constituents.
The board was amenable to this, with Board Chair Buddy Mendes first saying his vote was a “reluctant yes” because he would rather have the display be in two locations. The board ultimately decided to move forward with placing the motto both on the wall behind the dais and on a different wall facing the board.
A mainstay motto
In his introduction of the item, Bredefeld spoke about the history of the phrase and its display in places of government. He said that before every board meeting, a member of the community provides a prayer, and it is meaningful and respectful of the many different backgrounds that make up Fresno County.
“What we share is a love of this country and its heritage of faith, freedom and liberty,” Bredefeld said. “‘In God We Trust’ represents that faith, values and patriotism.”
President Dwight Eisenhower signed into law the phrase “In God We Trust” as the country’s national motto in 1956, an action that the House of Representatives affirmed in 2011 with the passage of House Resolution 13. The phrase has been associated with the United States for much longer, however, as it originated in “The Star Spangled Banner,” written by Francis Scott Key in 1814. It has also been included on U.S. coins since 1864.
Bredefeld said there are 147 cities and counties in California that have placed the motto inside their chambers, according to the organization In God We Trust America, including 10 cities within Fresno County.
Supervisors Luis Chavez and Nathan Magsig both supported the action and talked about how their own faiths influence their lives. Magsig said the motto itself is just that, a motto, and it’s easy to put it on the wall, but what is difficult is to live in accordance with that motto. Chavez said his hope with the motto on display is that it will be a reminder to live out the true meaning of the phrase.
“My God is a God that accepts and loves everybody for who they are no matter what they do, … and so that’s my hope, Supervisor Bredefeld,” Chavez said, “that as we put this up on the dais and we legislate and we have heated discussions and conversations, that we hold that respect for each other and that we use this place to unite our community and not divide us.”
