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A state House bill credits James Pollock, a 19th-century Pennsylvania governor, for putting "In God We Trust" on coins while serving as director of the U.S. Mint. The measure would require schools to post it by using a mounted plaque, student artwork or some other form.

(Jeff Weese/Flickr)

HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania public school districts would be required to post "In God We Trust" in every school building under legislation that advanced out of a committee in the state House of Representatives this week.

The bill sponsored by Rep. Rick Saccone, R-Allegheny County, passed the House Education Committee on Wednesday by a 14-9 vote, with one Democrat and one Republican crossing party lines.

The National Motto Display Act, as it is titled, credits James Pollock, a 19th-century Pennsylvania governor, for putting the termon coins while serving as director of the U.S. Mint. The measure would require schools to post it by using a mounted plaque, student artwork or some other form.

Saccone said the motto would fit well with the state's local history curriculum and appears to be widely supported by his constituents.

"It's 500-to-1 back home, people are for it," he said Thursday, adding that he believed it also would pass the Legislature overwhelmingly.

"I'm sure the media's going to try to beat it down," he said. "That's par for the course."

Saccone is a Baptist who also sponsored a "day of prayer" resolution in the House earlier this year to make April 30 "National Fast Day." It was patterned after a similar designation by President Abraham Lincoln 150 years ago.

During the committee