Congress changes rules on religious expressions on flag documents [View All]

Congress changes rules on religious expressions on flag documents

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A 17-year-old Eagle Scout from Ohio who wanted to honor his grandfather's "love of God, country and family" with a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol has helped remove a ban on the word "God" in certificates that accompany these flags.

The acting Architect of the Capitol, Stephen Ayers, said Thursday he was revising guidelines on Capitol flag certificates because it was "beyond the scope of this agency's responsibilities to censor messages from members of Congress."

Last week Rep. Michael Turner, R-Ohio, protested upon learning that the Architect's office had removed the word "God" from the certificate of authenticity accompanying a flag 17-year-old Andrew Larochelle of Dayton wanted to give his grandfather.

The boy had asked that the certificate read: "This flag was flown in honor of Marcel Larochelle, my grandfather, for his dedication and love of God, country and family."

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