Vermont to Add the Words “Community” and “Kindness” to Official State Motto

MONTPELIER – In a rare non-partisan and unanimous vote, the Vermont state legislature last week approved the addition of two words to the existing state motto. The original motto of “Freedom and Unity” was adopted in 1788 and has been on the state seal ever since. The updated motto will now read “Freedom, Unity, Community, and Kindness.” Governor Phil Scott praised the move as “…an important step toward showing the importance of all people, and what we truly think of them.” The new state seal was unveiled today, and will go into official use on January 1, 2018, although it is not able to be shown on television without being blurred.