Capitol flag certificate rule expanded to permit ‘God’

WASHINGTON – The acting architect of the Capitol cleared the way Thursday for the certificates that accompany flags flown over the building to include the word “God,” reversing policy on an issue that was becoming the latest touchstone in the nation’s culture wars.

“When one of our services or policies doesn’t effectively serve members of Congress or the American public, it needs to be changed immediately,” architect Stephen Ayers said in a statement. “I appreciate the Congress bringing this important issue to my attention.”

The latest controversy over the separation of church and state began in August, when 17-year-old Andrew Larochelle, of Dayton, Ohio, wrote to his congressman requesting that a flag be flown over the U.S. Capitol to honor his grandfather for his “love of God, country and family.”

Ayers declined to provide the religious dedication, citing rules issued by his office for ordering flags, which include this stipulation: “Personalized dedications are permitted but … political and/or religious expressions are not permitted on the flag certificate.” The architect of the Capitol is responsible for the maintenance and preservation of the Capitol complex, and that includes flying hundreds of Stars and Stripes on three flagpoles each day.

After consulting with congressional committees, Ayers changed the rule to read, “Personalized dedications are permitted but limited to three hundred (300) characters.”

Rep. Michael R. Turner, R-Ohio, who spearheaded a campaign urging House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., to overturn the decision, welcomed the reversal.

“We won a great victory for American traditions, religious freedoms and freedom of expression,” Turner said in a statement.