County unveils motto sign

The Madera County Board of Supervisors unveiled the national motto, “In God We Trust,” in stainless steel letters on the wall of its government center chambers at its regular meeting this week.

Board Chairman Rick Farinelli, supervisor of District 3, and Love Madera sponsored the permanent signage below the pre-existing county seal behind board member seats. Love Madera is a multi-denominational coalition of churches and faith organizations across the city.

“Acknowledgement of God’s authority is the cornerstone of our system of government,” Farinelli said. “Without it, our country begins to fall apart to crime and tyranny. Like John Adams said, ‘Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.’ I’m very proud to get this done for Madera.”

“I thank Chairman Farinelli for his support and helping out, and each one of the supervisors for their support,” said Roger Leach, senior pastor of Valley West Christian Center and Love Madera leader. Leach shared Tuesday how America’s founding fathers relied heavily on divine guidance to create the Constitution and the fledgling Republic.

“Whenever we as a county start to recognize God’s leadership, it’s powerful. We are getting ready to cast votes next week on who is going to lead our country for the next four years. But every day we can ask God to lead in our own daily affairs, and in our county, our community, and our nation. Individually we make those decisions. With great honor, we can unveil this motto,” Leach said.

This summer, the county board and the city of Madera passed similar resolutions recognizing the 60th anniversary of when the nation adopted its official motto. Both partnered with Love Madera to add a display of it to government chambers.

“In God We Trust” was officially adopted to the nation’s currency in July 1956, “but has been integral to government affairs since the nation’s founding,” said District 3 Chief of Staff Robert Jeffers.

In 2006, the U.S. Senate reaffirmed “In God We Trust” as the nation’s motto, and in 2011 the U.S. House of Representatives did likewise. The motto is prominently displayed in both congressional chambers as well as at places of government in more than 125 California cities and counties and more than 600 nationally, according to Jeffers.

Love Madera has been a driving force of community unification and improvement for years, this year more than ever, Leach said. In addition to the local motto projects, Love Madera also started and sponsored the city and county Blue Stripe initiative, which shows community support for law enforcement and first responders by displaying a blue and red paint design on one’s curb.