County Commissioners Court Seeks Dismissal Of Lawsuit

Liberty Institute Defends Wood County's Right to Open Sessions in Prayer and to Display National Motto "In God We Trust"

PLANO, Texas, Sept. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, Liberty Institute, on behalf of the Wood County Commissioners Court, filed a motion for summary judgment with a Texas district court seeking to end a frivolous lawsuit against the county for opening its sessions in prayer and for displaying in its courtroom America's national motto "In God We Trust." Wood County resident Charles F. Scott alleges the County Commissioners Court is in violation of the U.S constitution.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120523/DC12743LOGO-b )

The U. S. Supreme Court has stated that displaying the national motto and using invocations before legislative meetings are constitutional practices.

"We are confident that the motion for summary judgment will be granted, and the district court should dismiss this case. Wood County's display of the national motto and use of invocation does not violate the Constitution," said Jeff Mateer, General Counsel of Liberty Institute. "Our nation has a longstanding tradition of opening governmental meetings with prayer, as well as publicly acknowledging the role of God in our governmental institutions.  Such traditions and acknowledgements do not violate the First Amendment."

Liberty Institute is a nonprofit legal group dedicated to defending and restoring religious liberty across America — in our schools, for our churches and throughout the public arena. Liberty's vision is to reestablish religious liberty in accordance with the principles of our Founding Fathers. For information, visit www.LibertyInstitute.org.

SOURCE Liberty Institute