TALLAHASSEE -- Riding a wave of patriotism, a state House committee voted on Thursday to post "In God We Trust" in every public school in Florida.
"Just like the flags and red, white and blue pendants I see every day, the motto is a symbol of freedom that deserves a place in our schools," said the sponsor, Republican state Rep. Mike Hogan of Jacksonville.
He got the idea from a similar bill passed in Mississippi last year. If adopted by the Florida Legislature, the motto would be required to be placed in a "prominent location" at every school and be no smaller than 11 by 14 inches
The House Council for Lifelong Learning unanimously approved his measure (HB 915) Thursday afternoon.
Larry Spalding, an American Civil Liberties Union lobbyist, complained that the bill is a threat to the separation of church and state.
"This is no more than a constitutional means to get religion in the schools through the back door," he said.
Spalding, who did not attend the committee meeting, said the ACLU would not aggressively oppose the bill because of past court rulings around the nation concerning the issue.
Some counties in Florida already have "In God We Trust" plaques in schools. Marion and Clay counties received plaques from the American Family Association and have had them up for almost a year.
Hogan said the Concerned Women of Florida and other organizations have offered to provide the signs for all Florida schools.
"More than ever we need to promote national unity, and I think our schools have become devoid of that," he said.