NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A bill calling for the phrase “In God We Trust” to be painted in the tunnel that connects the Tennessee Capitol and the Legislative Plaza has been approved by the House.
The measure originally sought to require the phrase to be displayed above the main Capitol entrances and behind the speakers’ podiums in both the House and Senate.
But the measure was amended in the House Finance Committee to instead instruct State Capitol Commission to study the feasibility of painting the national motto in the tunnel. The Senate, however, approved the original version on a 21-0 vote earlier this week.
Lawmakers must now work out differences in the legislation before it heads to the governor’s desk.
The state adopted its official slogan “Tennessee — America at Its Best” in 1965. The words “Agriculture and Commerce” from the state seal were adopted as the official state motto in 1987.
Ericka Conley
