SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO – San Juan Capistrano may become the next city to display the words “In God We Trust” at City Hall.

Councilman Derek Reeve is proposing that the City Council approve a resolution at Tuesday night’s meeting that would display the message at City Hall, but he does not specify where. He suggests in a memo to the council that it assign two of its members to a subcommittee to decide where to put the motto.

Reeve cites a 2011 House of Representatives resolution reaffirming “In God We Trust” as the country’s official motto. The Senate approved a similar measure in 2006.

As of July, 16 cities in Orange County had added the words to their city halls in recent years. Nationally, some have argued against the trend, saying it violates the establishment clause of the First Amendment.

“It is our national motto,” Reeve said in an interview, citing use of the word “God” in many national icons, including money. “Should the national anthem, Pledge of Allegiance, Declaration of Independence or the money in your wallet make people uncomfortable? Of course not. So why should our national motto?

“I am actually offended by some obscure notion of political correctness that we are supposed to be ashamed of our country or treat God like a four-letter word.”

According to Reeve’s memo, San Juan Capistrano resident Jeff Peo and his church have offered to pay to install the message for the city.

Peo could not be immediately reached for comment.

“Religious institutions have a long tradition of civic involvement in our country,” Reeve said in the interview. “In San Juan, they are particularly active in city events and activities.”

The City Council meeting will begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto.