Kern County To Display 'In God We Trust' Motto

BAKERSFIELD (AP) — Kern County supervisors have decided to display the motto "In God We Trust" in its meeting chambers.

County Counsel Theresa Goldner had warned the Board of Supervisors that the display would violate the Constitution's separation of church and state if it was religiously motivated.

The Bakersfield Californian reports that the supervisors didn't comment much about their motivation Tuesday, but Supervisor Jon McQuiston did say the purpose is "patriotic ceremony."

"In God We Trust" became the United States' national motto in 1956.

The installation will be funded by private donations.

The campaign was pushed by In God We Trust America, a Bakersfield nonprofit that works to get local governments to put up the motto. According to the group, Kern County will be the third county in California to display it.

(© Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)