2 years ago
WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA) -- As of Thursday afternoon, the Architect of the Capitol reversed his decision and will allow expressions of religious faith, including the word "God" in flag certificates. This word comes from Rep. Michael Turner's office.
Thursday, Rep. Turner said, "Today, we won a great victory for American traditions, religious freedoms and freedom of expression. I want to especially acknowledge the efforts of Andrew Larochelle and his family. When Andrew asked for a simple flag request to honor his grandfather, he had no idea he would be inviting so much media attention. If Andrew and his family had not been willing to challenge the Architect?s decision, we would not have this victory today."
More than 160 members of Congress had signed a letter demanding change in a new policy that deletes the word "God" from certificates that accompany American flags which have flown over the United States Capitol. Congress gets about 100,000 requests for the flags each year and there is a formal flag office in the building where employees field the requests which often ask for specific language on the certificate.
An Ohio boy, Andrew Larochelle, who is about to become an Eagle scout asked for the flag so that he could present it to his grandfather at the ceremony where Andrew officially reaches Eagle rank.
He asked that the certificate read, "This flag was flown in honor of Marcel Larochelle, my grandfather, for his dedication and love of God, family, and country."
Because of a policy dictated by the outgoing Architect of the Capitol in January, the word "God" was deleted from Andrew's certificate.
"Obviously we were outraged," said Andrew's congressman, Rep. Turner on Wednesday, prior to the Architect's decision. "So we issued our own certificate for Andrew so he could present his grandfather with one that included the full inscription of God, family, and country," Turner said.
"Our faith is very important to our whole family, especially to my grandfather," Andrew said.
Turner had written to House leadership asking that the policy of deleting the word "God" be changed. More than 160 representatives had signed the letter, including Virginia Republican Frank Wolf.
On Wednesday, Wolf told 9NEWS NOW, "It's a bad decision, and I hope it's changed."
"What does that say the culture is? Is this culture changing so rapidly that you can't use the word "God" in the House chamber or put it on the flag certificate? We get veterans or different people saying, 'Will you fly a flag in honor of my father who served in World War II for God and country,' or we will get (a request) from the boy scouts and say, 'Will you fly this in honor of the Scout's Oath' (which does include the word "God")," Wolf said.
"This place is dysfunctional. It is out of step, and I think it will be changed to go back to the way it has always been," Wolf predicted.
Written by 9NEWS NOW
