A visit with a congressman,

The following notice is on the website of the Secular Coalition for America.
http://action.secular.org/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=27503

Action Alert: Stop Promoting Religion at the Capitol Visitor Center

Before the August recess, a resolution will be voted on by the House of Representatives that will require the Architect of the Capitol to engrave the words "In God We Trust" and the post-1954 Pledge of Allegiance onto the walls of the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC). References to religion and faith are already included in several of the permanent exhibits, and the words "In God We Trust" are even present in one such exhibit. But that's not enough for Rep. Dan Lungren (R-CA) who is pushing for a larger, bolder display. Let your Representative know that you oppose his efforts.

Now I live in Texas, so I am used to seeing things like this. What caught my eye on this alert was the bills sponsor, Dan Lungren. You see, I met Mr. Lungren when I was in the 4th grade. He came to visit my class at school in California. Mr. Lungren's niece was in my class and we were actually quite good friends.

Oh, how I remember the excitement that was buzzing in our class that we were lucky enough to have the privilege of a congressman's visit. We spent days getting the classroom ready. A vote was taken on who, besides his niece, would get to walk congressman Lungren from the school office to the classroom. When he arrived we were all on our best behavior. I still remember his fancy suit and how tall he was compared to our petite teacher.

After his visit, the class wrote letters to Mr. Lungren, thanking him for the visit. Imagine our surprise when a few weeks later he wrote back! Each of our letters was personalized at the bottom replying to what we wrote to him. I had written that a congressman's job seemed hard.
The letter meant so much to me that I saved it all these years. (click to enlarge)

I feel such disappointment that Dan Lungren is the sponsor of the resolution. I completely disagree with having the engravings done, especially at taxpayer expense. It is such a clear violation of church/state separation and just another way to try to promote America as a "Christian Nation". My happy school memory is now tarnished. In his letter, the congressman invited me to visit his office in Washington, D.C.
I wonder, after 25 years, if the offer is still good.