Miller Introduces ‘In God We Trust Act’ as Kendall County Expands Public Displays of America’s National Motto
“In God We Trust” | Yorkville Herald
Illinois 15th District Congresswoman Mary Miller has introduced the House companion to Senator Josh Hawley's "In God We Trust Act," legislation intended to commemorate America's 250th anniversary by reaffirming the nation's official motto and encouraging its public display in federal institutions.
In a press release announcing the legislation, Miller stated, "For nearly 70 years, our national motto, 'In God We Trust,' has served as a declaration of faith that has guided our nation." [1] The bill seeks to highlight the historical and cultural significance of the phrase as the United States approaches its semiquincentennial celebration in 2026. The legislation mirrors a Senate proposal introduced earlier by Hawley and is intended to coincide with nationwide observances marking the 250th anniversary of American independence.
Miller also emphasized the importance of the motto in a Facebook post, writing, "We will never apologize for being one nation that places its trust in Almighty God." [2]
"In God We Trust" was officially adopted as the national motto of the United States on July 30, 1956, when President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the measure into law. [3] Although codified in 1956, the phrase traces its roots much further back in American history. In 1814, Francis Scott Key penned the poem Defence of Fort M'Henry, which included the line, "And this be our motto—'In God is our trust!'"[4] The poem was later retitled “The Star-Spangled Banner,” set to music, and adopted as the national anthem in 1931. [5]
The motto first appeared on U.S. coinage in 1864 with the introduction of the two-cent piece. Over the following decades, it was gradually added to additional coins until it became a familiar feature throughout American currency. [6] By 1870, the San Francisco Chronicle was referring to "In God We Trust" as "our nation's motto." [7] Today, the motto is prominently displayed above the Speaker's rostrum in the U.S. House of Representatives and above the south entrance to the U.S. Senate Chamber. [8]
Congress has repeatedly reaffirmed the national motto. In 2011, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed H.Con.Res. 13, reaffirming "In God We Trust" as the official motto of the United States and encouraging its display in public buildings, schools, and other government institutions. The resolution reflected the continued recognition of the motto's place in the nation's history and heritage. [9]
In Kendall County, local government bodies have already begun installing displays featuring the national motto alongside key founding-era documents.
In October 2025, the Bristol Kendall Fire Protection District installed an "In God We Trust" display at Station 1, located at 103 Beaver Street in Yorkville. The display included the Declaration of Independence, the six unchanging principles of the Declaration, and the Preamble to the Illinois Constitution.
In March 2026, The City of Plano unveiled a public display featuring "In God We Trust," the Declaration of Independence, and the United States Constitution. Plano City Hall is located at 17 East Main Street in Plano.
Most recently, on June 16, 2026, Kendall Township installed a display at its township building, located at 9925B Illinois Route 47 in Yorkville. The exhibit centers on the national motto, "In God We Trust," and also includes the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, the Gettysburg Address, a map of Kendall Township, and a historic photograph of the Kendall County Courthouse.
With assistance from local businesses and community members, The United States Patriots Society (TUSPS) – Kendall County Chapter has been working with local government bodies throughout the county to display the national motto and educate citizens about America's founding principles.
According to its website, TUSPS is "a national non-profit organization dedicated to restoring America's Founding Principles by raising awareness and understanding of the importance of the values of Faith, Family, and Freedom." [10]
Skylar Duensing, founder and president of TUSPS, attended the Kendall Township meeting on June 16 to thank township officials for their leadership in preserving and promoting America's foundational principles for future generations.
As the nation celebrates its 250th Birthday, The United States Patriots Society aims to put these displays in communities across the country and share these values with every American they meet. It is their hope as an organization to continue to inspire America's young people and Patriots of all ages to take pride in the country.
During the meeting, TUSPS Kendall County Chapter President Michael Krempski presented the display and explained its significance, stating that all of the exhibit's elements "tell the story of a people who recognized that rights come from God, that government derives its authority from the consent of the governed, and that liberty is best preserved when citizens remain engaged in self-government."
At the state level, Illinois State Representative Jed Davis introduced HB 4244, known as the National Symbols Act. The legislation would require local governments and school districts that receive sufficient donated materials or funding to display the national motto, the Bill of Rights, the United States Constitution, and the Declaration of Independence in their primary administrative buildings and educational facilities.
The bill specifies that the displays must consist of durable posters or framed copies and be placed in a conspicuous public location. [11]
HB 4244 did not advance out of the House Rules Committee during the 104th General Assembly and will need to be reintroduced in a future legislative session if lawmakers wish to pursue the proposal further.
As the nation prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, efforts at the federal, state, and local levels reflect a renewed focus on America's founding ideals and national symbols. Whether through congressional legislation, proposed state laws, or community-led educational displays, supporters of these initiatives say they are intended to preserve the historical significance of "In God We Trust" and encourage future generations to engage with the principles that have shaped the United States since its founding.
Endnotes
[1] Miller, Mary. “Rep. Mary Miller Introduces ‘In God We Trust Act’ in Commemoration of America 250.” Representative Mary Miller, 14 May 2026, Representative Mary Miller Official Website. Accessed June 17, 2026.
[2] Congresswoman Mary Miller, June 3, 2026, Facebook, Congresswoman Mary Miller
[3] “Joint Resolution to Establish a National Motto of the United States,” July 30, 1956, here
[4] "The Lyrics - National Museum of American History", accessed June 17, 2026, https://amhistory.si.edu/starspangledbanner/the-lyrics.aspx
[5] National Parks Services - "The 'Star-Spangled Banner' - From Song, to Anthem, to Icon", accessed June 17, 2026, https://www.nps.gov/fomc/learn/historyculture/the-national-anthem.htm
[6] “Why Do Coins Say ‘In God We Trust’?” GovMint, 6 Dec. 2021, https://www.govmint.com/learn/post/why-do-coins-say-in-god-we-trust. Accessed June 17, 2026.
[7] “Article 340.” Religions, vol. 10, no. 5, 2019, article 340, MDPI, https://doi.org/10.3390/rel10050340. Accessed June 17, 2026.
[8] Family Research Council. In God We Trust: The National Motto of the United States. FRC, 2016, https://downloads.frc.org/EF/EF16G37.pdf. Accessed June 17, 2026.
[9] "H. Rept. 112-47 - Reaffirming 'In God We Trust' as the official motto of the United States," accessed June 17, 2026, https://www.congress.gov/committee-report/112th-congress/house-report/47/1
[10] “The Founder.” The United States Patriots Society, https://tusps.org/our-founder. Accessed June 17, 2026.
[11] Illinois General Assembly. House Bill 4244 (HB4244), 104th General Assembly: Bill Status. Illinois General Assembly, https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus?DocNum=4244&DocTypeID=HB&GAID=18&SessionID=114. Accessed June 17, 2026.
