Ten Commandments

TEN COMMANDMENTS -- (House of Representatives - June 28, 2005)

(Mr. HENSARLING asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. HENSARLING. Madam Speaker, above the Speaker's chair in the people's house are boldly written the words ``In God we trust.'' God. We, the House of Representatives, acknowledge God and have for over 200 years.

Why should it be any other way? Our Declaration of Independence states that we are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights. Thomas Jefferson wrote, ``Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a belief in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God?''

Now, Madam Speaker, the Supreme Court has ruled that we Texans can gaze upon the Ten Commandments at our statehouse, but the people of Kentucky cannot gaze upon them in their courthouses. This is not helpful. The establishment clause of our Constitution was written to ensure that the State respects all religions, not to declare hostility upon each.

We can and must acknowledge God in public life and in a way that equally respects the Muslim, the Jew, the Christian, the Buddhist, and all people of faith. For when we do, God will continue to bless America.

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