Congressional Letter of Correction to President Obama-Truth!

Congressional Letter of Correction to President Obama-Truth!

Summary of the eRumor:
This rumor claims that members of Congress issued a letter of correction to President Obama regarding his alleged inaccurate statement of the national motto and omissions of God in speeches when quoting from American historical documents that referenced the Creator. The eRumor says that this letter was sponsored by Congresswoman Michelle Bachman.

The Truth:
This eRumor is true.

A letter signed by Congressman J. Randy Forbes of Virginia and 41 other members of the Congressional Prayer Caucus was sent to President Obama on December 6, 2010 after he made a speech in Indonesia where he incorrectly said that the national motto is "E pluribus unum - out of many one." Since 1956, the official national motto of the United States has been "In God we trust." The letter reminded the President that the motto is referenced in our Star Spangled Banner and found on our coins and currency.

The Congressional Prayer Caucus also had a concern with what it said was a lack of references to God by President Obama, noting a third occurrence in over a month where the President omitted the Creator in an October 18, 2010 fundraiser speech. President Obama said, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that each of us are endowed with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” The correct text of the Declaration of Independence says, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

The Congressional Prayer Caucus is a non partisan group consisting of 68 members from the House of Representatives. It was founded and is co-chaired by Congressman Forbes. Representative Michelle Bachmann of Minnesota is among the members who signed the letter.

Click here for the complete text of the letter in Adobe Acrobat format (PDF).

updated 12/29/10

A real example of the eRumor as it has appeared on the Internet:

Subject: National Motto Letter from Congress

This is an actual letter sponsored by Michelle Bachmann and others in Congress. Since the contents of the letter and what it represents are not getting any national media coverage, it is good to know that the letter is now and forever part of the public record for future generations to read.