House Concurrent Resolution 131 (H. Con. Res.131) directs the Architect of the Capitol to engrave the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and the national motto of "In God We Trust" in the Capitol Visitor Center. This is estimated to cost the taxpayers around $100,000.

According to its Web site, the current mission of the Visitor Center at the U.S. Capitol is to provide "a welcoming and educational environment for visitors to learn about the unique characteristics of the House and the Senate and the legislative process as well as the history and development of the architecture and art of the U.S. Capitol. Like the words carved in marble in the Visitor Center's Exhibition Hall, 'Out of Many, One,' the visitor experience will be an intellectual and emotional encounter . . . that will inform and inspire those who come to see the U.S. Capitol." H. Con. Res. 131 would pollute that experience with a divisive agenda having nothing to do with the values enshrined by our Founders in the Constitution.

The Pledge of Allegiance and the original national motto, E Pluribus Unum ("out of many, one") were unnecessarily altered during the 1950s in an ill-conceived effort to make religious minorities feel like outsiders to the national community. "Do we really need to spend another $100,000 to present a distorted image of America’s secular heritage?” All Americans, including the non-religious, have a right and obligation to participate fully in our nation’s politics. Both phrases represent an unmistakable attempt to confuse religious belief with patriotism, and exclude the non-religious from public life.

This bill is a distraction from the important agenda facing Congress and the American people. Instead of devoting time to divisive and unnecessary political posturing, Congress ought to focus its energy on the myriad pressing issues facing the nation, from health care to global warming.

Please urge your representatives in Congress to vote no on H. Con. Res. 131.

REAL wellness flourishes best, in my view, in a secular democracy, not a theocracy. Thus, when the pious cross the church/state lines of separation, it's the duty of all citizens to speak out in support of protect one from the other.