When the $621 million Capitol Visitor Center opened to the public in December 2008, one thing was missing: The nation’s motto.

But now, "In God We Trust" has been engraved in the center, a decision Congressman John Carter (TX-31), a member of the Congressional Prayer Caucus, applauded today.

"Thousands of people walk through the Visitor Center each day, and it’s important that we stand up for our nation’s religious heritage," Carter said. 

After touring the new CVC in July 2008, Carter was one of 108 members of Congress who signed a letter urging the Architect of the Capitol to fix the religious inaccuracies in the center.

While the CVC includes references to "E Pluribus Unum," calling it our national motto, even though it was never codified into law, there is no mention of "In God We Trust," which was adopted as the nation’s official motto in 1956.

The Prayer Caucus also has worked to ensure that the text of the "Pledge of Allegiance" is displayed in the CVC.

"These not only show the religious history of our nation, but they’re historical aspects of the country, and they should be discussed and available for visitors to see," Carter said.