Washington, Oct 15, 2007 -  U.S. Congressman John Carter (TX-31) will meet with Andrew Larochelle, the 17 year-old Eagle Scout, whose constituent flag request with the inscription “In honor of my grandfather Marcel Larochelle, for his dedication and love of God, Country, and family…” created a month-long controversy over the censorship of God from flag certificates by the Architect of the Capitol. In addition to Andrew, his father Paul and grandfather Marcel Larochelle will also visit the Capitol.

On Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at 12:00 noon, on the Cannon Terrace, Andrew will be presented with an official flag certificate reissued by the Architect of the Capitol’s office with the inscription as he originally requested. Andrew will present the certificate to his grandfather, Marcel, an Army veteran.

Carter condemned the decision of the Architect and requested that the rule be changed by joining a bipartisan group of over 160 House colleagues in signing a letter to Speaker Pelosi.

Carter was one of the 90 co-sponsors of the bipartisan H.R. 3997 – the Andrew Larochelle God, Family and Country Act of 2007. There is a Senate version being authored by Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC).

On October 11, 2007, the office of the Architect announced they were dropping the policy that had prohibited “God from being inscribed on certificates and were leaving the decision to individual members.