By JOSH AULT
6 News Reporter
NEWPORT (WATE) - A display of the Ten Commandments and other documents made their debut Monday at the Cocke County Courthouse.
A Tennessee court ruling made that possible, classifying the rules of Judeo-Christian tradition as historical documents.
The display includes the Ten Commandments, the Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence.
The idea to put up the display at the courthouse came from Sheriff Armando Fontes. He says he thought of it about a month ago, soon after the new state law went into effect.
Sheriff Fontes had a small ceremony to unveil the display. A large group filled the second floor lobby where the display is located.
The sheriff got a little emotional during the ceremony as he explained why it was so important to him.
"These documents, they are part of our heritage," Sheriff Fontes said. "They are part of the formation of the United States, and they are a reminder to us how we should live our lives, not only in order to make our county but our country a better place."
State Rep. Jeremy Faison (R-Cosby) was also present for the ceremony. He was one of the lawmakers who pushed to get the new law passed.
Officials pose with the new display
