[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 95 (Wednesday, June 30, 1999)]
[House]
[Pages H5129-H5132]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     STAR-SPANGLED BANNER NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL STUDY ACT OF 1999

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 231 and rule 
XVIII, the Chair declares the House in the Committee of the Whole House 
on the State of the Union for the consideration of the bill, H.R. 791.

                              {time}  1442


                     In the Committee of the Whole

  Accordingly, the House resolved itself into the Committee of the 
Whole House on the State of the Union for the consideration of the bill 
(H.R. 791) to amend the National Trails System Act to designate the 
route of the War of 1812 British invasion of Maryland and Washington, 
District of Columbia, and the route of the American defense, for study 
for potential addition to the national trails system, with Mr. Bonilla 
in the chair.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to the rule, the bill is considered as having 
been read the first time.
  Under the rule, the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen) and the 
gentleman from Puerto Rico (Mr. Romero-Barcelo) each will control 30 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen).
  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 791, introduced by the 
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest). H.R. 791 authorizes a study be 
completed for a potential addition to the National Trails System. 
Specifically, this bill would study the designation of the route the 
British took in their invasion of Maryland and Washington, the District 
of Columbia, and the route of the American defense during the War of 
1812.
  The proposed trail would stretch through six Maryland counties, 
Washington, D.C., and the City of Baltimore, where the trail would 
ultimately lead to Fort McHenry. Fort McHenry, of course, is where, on 
September 14, 1814, American forces bravely turned back the British 
invasion of Baltimore and was the event which sparked Francis Scott Key 
to pen our national anthem.
  The designation of this route as a National Historic Trail would 
serve as a reminder of the importance of the concept of liberty and 
give long overdue recognition to the patriots who preserved this 
liberty for future generations of America.
  Mr. Chairman, we have all worked hard on this bill and addressed the 
concerns of both the minority and the administration. This is a good 
bill, and we have bipartisan support on this bill. It is supported by 
the National Park Service. I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 
791.
  Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1445

  Mr. ROMERO-BARCELO. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Chairman, under the National Trails System Act, any route 
proposed for designation as a national historic trail must be studied 
to determine the suitability and feasibility of such a designation. 
H.R. 791 would authorize such a study of the route taken by British 
troops during the invasion of the United States during the War of 1812. 
The route crosses nine counties in Maryland and passes through the 
cities of both Washington and Baltimore.
  There is no doubt many of the sites along this proposed site are 
significant in American history. Not only did British forces lay siege 
to the U.S. Capitol and eventually burn it down, but it was during the 
ultimate American victory of Fort McHenry that a local attorney named 
Francis Scott Key penned what is now our national anthem. A study of 
these sites for a national historic trail can only serve to deepen our 
knowledge of the importance of these events in our history.
  During our committee's consideration of this measure, an amendment 
was adopted ensuring that this new study will be carefully coordinated 
with several ongoing studies with which there could be some overlap. 
Such coordination will improve the final result of each of these 
products.
  This is a bipartisan bill where both sides have worked closely to 
have this bill passed, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 791, as 
amended.
  Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest), the author of this 
legislation.
  Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Utah (Mr. 
Hansen), the chairman of the Subcommittee on National Parks and Public 
Lands of the Committee on Resources, for yielding me this time; and I 
thank all the members of the Committee on Resources for their help on 
this piece of legislation. But in particular I want to thank the 
residents of the State of Maryland in my district for bringing this 
idea, this concept, to our attention.
  The War of 1812 is not one of those wars that elicits a great deal of 
dramatic thought. We do not see it on the silver screen very often. I 
like to compare it to the Korean War. We hear a great deal about World 
War II, and there has been many films about the Vietnam conflict, but 
we did not hear a lot about the Korean War veterans until in recent 
years, and there is a stunning monument on the mall to the Korean War 
veterans for their efforts and struggles to preserve liberty in that 
part of Asia.
  During the American revolution, patriots fought so valiantly to bring 
liberty and justice to light in the Americas, to bring a new idea that 
people can institutionalize freedom, that people can institutionalize 
the idea that an individual is independent, and we talk a great deal 
about the American revolution.
  The War of 1812 was a conflict that was our second war of 
independence. Now, there was a great deal of misunderstanding between 
the British and the French and the Americans, and certainly back in 
1812 there were no telephones, no fax machines, no E-mail, for example. 
There was no way to communicate with another person until one was 
talking face-to-face with that person. I bring that up because some of 
the issues that caused the conflict between the United States and Great 
Britain were resolved 2 days before the war started, but there was no 
way to get that message across. So we had this conflict.
  And the conflict basically was continental. The conflict was in the 
Great Lakes, Lake Champlain, Canada, the mid-Atlantic States, the great 
Chesapeake Bay, and certainly all the way down to the Gulf of Mexico at 
the battle of New Orleans. This could all have been averted, but we 
needed this struggle, I guess, to show Europe the United States was 
firm in its belief that it was independent; that it preserved the right 
of freedom and justice and liberty for all Americans, and eventually 
for all the rest of the world.
  Now, if we could go forward quickly to the end of the conflict, the 
agreement to end the war was signed 2 weeks before the last battle was 
fought. And anybody on the House floor right now who is, I guess, 
middle-aged, they will remember that song; ``In 1814, I took a little 
trip, along with Colonel Jackson down the mighty Mississipp. We took a 
little bacon and we took a little beans, and we took a little ride to 
New Orleans.'' I remember I used to love that song. But that battle 
that we smile when we hear the song was a tragedy. Hundreds and 
hundreds, if not well over a thousand men on both sides were killed 
because of that conflict. And that conflict was fought to show that the 
United States was determined to be independent and free.
  This trail, which we will come up with after about 3 years of study, 
will show people all across this country and all across this world 
America's second battle of independence. There will be a brochure that 
people can follow from the lower Chesapeake Bay through the Potomac 
River, up several counties in Maryland, to show how the British tried 
to take the troops that protected Washington, south of Washington into 
Georgetown, and draw them away as far as Baltimore so that they could 
go into the District of Columbia, our Nation's capital, and burn every 
single

[[Page H5130]]

Federal building except for the post office and the patent office, 
including this building that we now speak from. Fortunately, however 
one wants to look at it, coincidentally a huge tornado with driving 
rains came in and flushed out the fire.
  Now, we know the rest of the story which is fundamental to this 
legislation. The Star-Spangled Banner. Francis Scott Key went on board 
a British ship to try to release Dr. Beanes from his captivity. Francis 
Scott Key was accompanied by John Skinner. They were going to release 
Dr. Beanes, but they also wanted to attack Fort McHenry, as the 
chairman mentioned a little earlier.
  As the ship traveled up the Chesapeake Bay, the beautiful Chesapeake 
Bay, which probably had a few more fish in it at the time, maybe some 
more clams and oysters, but we are trying to restore the Chesapeake 
Bay, and maybe a piece of this legislation will bring some attention to 
that as well, as they came up to Fort McHenry they wanted to bomb Fort 
McHenry and continue their onslaught to recapture America. And what 
Francis Scott Key saw we still remember today. As the night glistened 
in stars, it also glistened with the bombardment from the British 
ships, but the Americans held. And the next morning the flag still flew 
over Fort McHenry. And that flag, Mr. Chairman, is now in the 
Smithsonian institute.
  But Francis Scott Key penned the poem which later became our national 
anthem, the Star-Spangled Banner. The flag still waves over Fort 
McHenry, regardless of the bombs bursting in air. And that spirit, that 
feeling, that sense of community that we are one among many still holds 
today in the United States. So, Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to 
vote in favor of the Star-Spangled Banner Trail Bill.
  The last comment I want to make is a gracious ``thank you'' to those 
constituents that brought this idea to our attention, and also to my 
staff, Erika Feller, for doing a great deal of work on this particular 
issue.
  Mr. ROMERO-BARCELO. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume 
to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer).
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Chairman, I thank the distinguished gentleman from 
Puerto Rico (Mr. Romero-Barcelo) for yielding me this time, and I thank 
my friend the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest) for listening to 
those constituents and responding to those constituents and allowing 
the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cardin), who represents the City of 
Baltimore in which Fort McHenry is located, the gentlewoman from 
Maryland (Mrs. Morella) from Montgomery County, in which, of course, 
there are many historic sites of the War of 1812, and, of course, I 
have represented the City of Bladensburg for many, many years, another 
historic site in the British effort to turn aside the revolution and 
the Peace Treaty of 1783, signed, as my friend knows, in the old 
Statehouse in Maryland, which is pictured, the Senate Chamber in which 
that Treaty of Paris which ended the war was signed on the 14th of 
January 1784 in Annapolis, and the picture of the Senate Chamber is on 
the wall in the rotunda.
  Mr. Chairman, all of us are reciting some degree of history. It is 
important that we learn from history. It is important we not forget 
history so that we are not condemned to live the worst parts of 
history. The historic trails are important assets for our country and 
for our generations yet to come.
  The eloquence of the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest) in 
reciting that song that, yes, brought a smile to my face as well, 
because I remember it well. I loved that song. It is a catchy tune. But 
as he points out, it relates a tragic event.
  The history of Maryland is replete with events that surround the 
founding of this Nation and the establishment of the greatest democracy 
the world has ever known, and certainly its most long-standing 
democracy in the world. So I strongly support this bill and urge my 
colleagues to do so. In order to designate a historic trail, we need to 
research that issue. This bill will provide for that effort to be 
undertaken. I think it is very appropriate.
  The proposed trail would provide an opportunity for citizens to learn 
about the British Washington-Baltimore campaign during the War of 1812 
and to experience the story of how our national anthem came to be 
written by Francis Scott Key.
  The Star Spangled Banner Trail would be the first national historic 
trail in the mid-Atlantic region. As currently envisioned, it could 
take visitors through six counties in Maryland as well as Washington, 
D.C. and Baltimore.
  The route, which would follow the path taken by the British in the 
War of 1812, would begin in my district where the British landed in 
Calvert County Maryland and launched their campaign to destroy the 
Barney Flotilla and, after the Battle of Bladensburg, burn Washington, 
D.C.
  The trail would then follow the path of the retreating American army 
up through Georgetown, through Montgomery County, and onto Baltimore 
where they ultimately defeated the British forces at Ft. McHenry.
  Mr. Speaker, the War of 1812 and this campaign is a fascinating, but 
untold, chapter in our Nation's history. Creating this trail will 
provide a critical link in this turning point in our Nation's history.
  I want to thank my good friend Mr. Gilchrest for sponsoring this 
legislation and urge all of my colleagues to support it.
  Mr. Chairman, I want to thank my friend, the gentleman from Puerto 
Rico, who I might say does such an outstanding job and who, I hope at 
some point in time, will represent the 51st State. That is an aside, 
that is not the issue today, I understand that, but this bill is about 
freedom, this bill is about stars in the Star-Spangled Banner, and 
perhaps we will add one for the representative from Puerto Rico in the 
near future.
  I thank also my friend, the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen) for his 
leadership in getting this bill to the floor. The gentleman is a very 
fine Member of this House and his attention to details large and small 
has been appreciated by this body, and I appreciate his leadership in 
bringing this to the floor.
  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Chairman, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Maryland (Mrs. Morella), and I wish to tell the gentleman from Maryland 
(Mr. Hoyer) that I appreciate his comments very much.
  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Chairman, I wish to thank the gentleman from Utah 
(Mr. Hansen) for yielding me this time and for all the leadership he 
has shown not only in this legislation but in other legislation that 
has enhanced the American people.
  I also want to thank the ranking member, the gentleman from Puerto 
Rico (Mr. Romero-Barcelo), for his work in bringing this bill to the 
floor, and others also.
  Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to lend my support to H.R. 791, the Star-
Spangled Banner National Historic Trail Study Act of 1999, and I 
certainly want to commend my very good friend, the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest), who introduced this and who just gave a very 
moving explanation of the bill and all of its implications.
  I am honored, along with my colleagues, to be a cosponsor of this 
legislation. It will ultimately lead to the creation of a trail to help 
preserve and honor significant historic sites associated with the War 
of 1812, America's second war of independence.
  Trails provide our Nation with many benefits. They offer 
opportunities to experience solitude or to socialize with families and 
friends. Natural trail corridors preserve vegetation and wildlife. 
Bicycles and pedestrians commute on trails, and that decreases road 
congestion and air pollution.
  Americans are seeking trail opportunities as never before to 
participate in a wide range of recreational activities, from hiking and 
bicycling, to horseback riding and backpacking, trails across our 
country are used by all types of people in settings ranging from urban, 
suburban, rural and wilderness.
  In the early days of our Nation before railroads and highways and 
rail were constructed, people traveled on foot, on horseback, or by 
wagon. Some of these trails remain in existence today as reminders of 
our rich history. For example, the Oregon Trail, the Santa Fe Trail, 
the Trail of Tears. They all exist as chapters in our Nation's 
heritage.
  In the early 20th Century, trails became a way to gain access to 
spectacular natural beauty. The first interstate recreational trail was 
conceived in 1921 as a national preserve parallel to the East Coast, 
and we now know that trail as the Appalachian Trail.
  H.R. 791 simply authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to undertake 
a

[[Page H5131]]

study of the British invasion route and the line of American defenses 
occurring in Maryland and Washington during the War of 1812 for 
potential addition to the national trail system.

                              {time}  1500

  While the War of 1812 and the British invasion during the conflict is 
a defining period in the history of our Nation, it is an often 
neglected period of our national heritage. It is my hope that this 
legislation will help to reorganize and honor the important battles 
during the summer of 1814 which helped to shape our Nation.
  The War of 1812 remains the only time in which the United States of 
America has been invaded by a foreign power. In August of 1814, a 
British expedition in the Chesapeake Bay won a victory at Bladensburg, 
Maryland, and subsequently took Washington, burning the Capitol and the 
White House. The British, however, were halted at Ft. McHenry in 
Baltimore on September 14th under the ``Rockets' Red Glare.''
  Currently, just down the National Mall from the Capitol at the 
National Museum of American History, technicians, historians and 
textile experts are working to preserve the actual Star-Spangled Banner 
which flew over Ft. McHenry. There are about 30 sites along the 
proposed Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail, both famous and 
forgotten, which marks some of the most historically significant events 
of the War of 1812.
  I am proud to represent a place called Brookeville, Maryland, a tiny 
town which played a huge role during the War of 1812. Under H.R. 791, 
this town is to be included on the Star-Spangled Banner National 
Historic Trail study.
  Brookeville, only 18 miles from Washington, served as our Nation's 
capital for a brief period in August of 1814, when President James 
Madison fled the White House to escape the British invasion.
  The home of Postmaster Caleb Bentley and his wife, Henrietta, served 
as a refuge for President Madison and several members of his Cabinet. 
Mrs. Bentley, a Quaker, said, ``It is against our principles to have 
anything to do with war, but we receive all and we relieve all who come 
to us.''
  Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 791, to honor our 
Nation's history and recognize the Star-Spangled Banner National 
Historic Trail and the critical events of the War of 1812.
  Mr. ROMERO-BARCELO. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume 
to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cardin).
  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Chairman, first, let me thank my friend, the 
gentleman from Puerto Rico (Mr. Romero-Barcelo), for yielding me this 
time and for his help in marshalling this bill through the committee.
  I want to thank my good friend, the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen), 
for his work on this issue. This is an important bill. I want to 
compliment the speed in which this matter was handled in the committee.
  The gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest) and I filed this 
legislation on February 23, and we were later joined by the gentlewoman 
from Maryland (Mrs. Morella) and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. 
Hoyer) in moving this bill to, we hope, the establishment of this 
trail.
  I also want to acknowledge the hard work of the Senate sponsor, 
Senator Sarbanes, who is marshalling this bill in the other body. We 
are working together. I appreciate the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. 
Gilchrest) bringing this up to our constituents.
  I represent a district that is rich in history in Baltimore, and I 
want to thank the historians in my community who have been working with 
us on this trail. I have the honor of representing the district that 
includes Ft. McHenry and, of course, the great history that was 
accomplished in that particular spot. I want to thank the people from 
Ft. McHenry for their help in bringing us to this motion that we can 
now act on, H.R. 791, the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail 
Study Act of 1999.
  I think it is highly appropriate that on the eve of the last July 4 
celebration before we start the new century this body is considering a 
bill that would recognize the sacrifices and contributions of American 
patriots from the previous one. This legislation would authorize a 
study to designate the route of the War of 1812 British invasion of 
Maryland and Washington, D.C., as well as the route of the American 
defense, a National Historic Trail.
  Mr. Chairman, we have done this on many occasions, established 
historic trails in our country. We have done it for the Appalacian 
Trail, the Continental Divide, the National Scenic Trail, the Florida 
National Scenic Trail, and many, many others. I think it is altogether 
fitting and appropriate, in the interest of our Nation, that we do 
likewise for the War of 1812.
  This War of 1812 was important for many reasons in the history of 
this Nation, and my colleagues have already commented on many of the 
important aspects of this particular battle. One that my colleague, the 
gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella), mentioned is it the only time 
in the history of our Nation that we were invaded by a foreign power.
  Of course, we successfully were able to defend ourselves. But for a 
good part of this particular war, it was uncertain as to whether we 
were going to be able to defend our Nation. It was clearly our second 
war of independence, and it bode well for the future of this Nation in 
developing a defense that has been able to protect our citizens against 
all foreign tyrants.
  The story of the War of 1812 goes beyond just stopping the British 
from invading our young Nation. But the heroics of many of our citizens 
at many different battles along the way will go down as part of the 
heritage of our Nation.
  We hope that this trail will be able to allow people in our country 
to better appreciate what our patriots have done during the history of 
our Nation. Whether it was at Bladensburg, where we were not 
successful, or North Point, where we were successful, or Ft. McHenry, 
where we were successful, heroism was the order of the day.
  Of course, we are all very proud of Francis Scott Key, a young 
attorney who took upon a mission of mercy to have released a young 
doctor that was being held by the British. The doctor had helped young 
British soldiers, and Francis Scott Key was able to implore the British 
to release this particular soldier from captivity. But, as was Francis 
Scott Key's luck, he was on a British boat at the time that they were 
ready to invade Baltimore and Ft. McHenry, so he was required to stay 
on the ship during the battle of Ft. McHenry. He was so inspired by 
what he saw that he wrote the poem that has become our national anthem.
  So there is a great deal to be learned from the War of 1812. There is 
a lot that we all can learn from it. I applaud the committee for 
setting in motion the way that we will be able to establish an historic 
trail that will allow our citizens a better understanding of the 
history of this Nation and what makes this Nation so great, the people 
who are willing to give of their lives to protect the freedom that we 
all enjoy today. This is a fitting monument to their work, and I 
applaud this House for taking it up today.
  I urge my colleagues to support the legislation.
  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest).
  Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Chairman, I thank the chairman for yielding me the 
time. I will not take the entire minute, but I do want to say just two 
quick things.
  My compliments and gratitude to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. 
Cardin) and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) and the gentlewoman 
from Maryland (Mrs. Morella) for their effort in moving this 
legislation through and for taking the time to come down to the House 
floor this afternoon and saying the words that they have spoken. It is 
greatly appreciated.
  I also want to make a comment about our counterparts on the Senate 
side, and I know we are not supposed to mention the senators, but the 
effort they are making on that side to move this legislation through 
there, as well.
  The last comment I would like to make is that I would invite my 
colleagues, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cardin), the gentlewoman 
from Maryland (Mrs. Morella) and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. 
Hoyer), that when the trail is finally done that the four of us stand 
at Ft. McHenry

[[Page H5132]]

and sing for our constituents the Star-Spangled Banner.
  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. HANSEN. I yield to the gentleman from Maryland.
  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Chairman, I would welcome my colleague into the Third 
Congressional District of Maryland to participate. We do have, of 
course, Flag Day. We invite all Americans to join us in a pause for the 
pledge to the flag and our national anthem.
  Let me assure my colleague that I checked with the Parliamentarian 
and we can mention the names of senators if they are sponsors of a 
comparable bill in the other body. So it was within the rules of the 
House to mention our senators.
  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. HANSEN. I yield to the gentlewoman from Maryland.
  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the gentleman for his 
kind invitation. I think, rather than singing it, he would probably 
prefer to have me say it if he heard me sing before. He might play the 
piano, too.
  Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Chairman, if the gentleman would continue to 
yield, the gentlewoman has a wonderful voice. I know the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Cardin) has a wonderful voice, and I know the gentleman 
from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) has a wonderful voice. So we will work it 
out.
  Mr. ROMERO-BARCELO. Mr. Chairman, I have no further requests for 
time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Chairman, let me thank all those who have participated in the 
very inspiration and interesting speeches we heard.
  I look forward to the four of my colleagues singing the Star-Spangled 
Banner. And in the previous bill we just passed, I would assume the 
gentlewoman from New Mexico (Mrs. Wilson) will then join and sing the 
theme song from Route 66, as long as we are going that way.
  The CHAIRMAN. All time for general debate has expired.
  Pursuant to the rule, the committee amendment in the nature of a 
substitute printed in the bill is considered as an original bill for 
the purpose of amendment and is considered as having been read.
  The text of the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute is 
as follows:

                                H.R. 791

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Star-Spangled Banner 
     National Historic Trail Study Act of 1999''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds that--
       (1) the British invasion of Maryland and Washington, 
     District of Columbia, during the War of 1812 marks a defining 
     period in the history of our Nation, the only occasion on 
     which the United States of America has been invaded by a 
     foreign power;
       (2) the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail traces 
     the arrival of the British fleet in the Patuxent River in 
     Calvert County and St. Mary's County, Maryland, the landing 
     of British forces at Benedict, the sinking of the Chesapeake 
     Flotilla at Pig Point in Prince George's County and Anne 
     Arundel County, Maryland, the American defeat at the Battle 
     of Bladensburg, the siege of the Nation's Capital, 
     Washington, District of Columbia (including the burning of 
     the United States Capitol and the White House), the British 
     naval diversions in the upper Chesapeake Bay leading to the 
     Battle of Caulk's Field in Kent County, Maryland, the route 
     of the American troops from Washington through Georgetown, 
     the Maryland Counties of Montgomery, Howard, and Baltimore, 
     and the city of Baltimore, Maryland, to the Battle of North 
     Point, and the ultimate victory of the Americans at Fort 
     McHenry on September 14, 1814, where a distinguished Maryland 
     lawyer and poet, Francis Scott Key, wrote the words that 
     captured the essence of our national struggle for 
     independence, words that now serve as our national anthem, 
     the Star-Spangled Banner; and
       (3) the designation of this route as a national historic 
     trail--
       (A) would serve as a reminder of the importance of the 
     concept of liberty to all who experience the Star-Spangled 
     Banner National Historic Trail; and
       (B) would give long overdue recognition to the patriots 
     whose determination to stand firm against enemy invasion and 
     bombardment preserved this liberty for future generations of 
     Americans.

     SEC. 3. DESIGNATION OF TRAIL FOR STUDY.

       Section 5(c) of the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 
     1244(c)) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating paragraph (36) (as added by section 3 
     of the El Camino Real Para Los Texas Study Act of 1993 (107 
     Stat. 1497)) as paragraph (37) and in subparagraph (C) by 
     striking ``detemine'' and inserting ``determine'';
       (2) by designating the paragraphs relating to the Old 
     Spanish Trail and the Great Western Scenic Trail as 
     paragraphs (38) and (39), respectively; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(40) Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Star-Spangled Banner National 
     Historic Trail, tracing the War of 1812 route from the 
     arrival of the British fleet in the Patuxent River in Calvert 
     County and St. Mary's County, Maryland, the landing of the 
     British forces at Benedict, the sinking of the Chesapeake 
     Flotilla at Pig Point, the American defeat at the Battle of 
     Bladensburg, the siege of the Nation's Capital, Washington, 
     District of Columbia (including the burning of the United 
     States Capitol and the White House), the British naval 
     diversions in the upper Chesapeake Bay leading to the Battle 
     of Caulk's Field in Kent County, Maryland, the route of the 
     American troops from Washington through Georgetown, the 
     Maryland Counties of Montgomery, Howard, and Baltimore, and 
     the city of Baltimore, Maryland, to the Battle of North 
     Point, and the ultimate victory of the Americans at Fort 
     McHenry on September 14, 1814.
       ``(B) Affected areas.--The trail crosses 8 counties within 
     the boundaries of the State of Maryland, the city of 
     Baltimore, Maryland, and Washington, District of Columbia.
       ``(C) Coordination with other congressionally mandated 
     activities.--The study under this paragraph shall be 
     undertaken in coordination with the study authorized under 
     section 603 of the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management 
     Act of 1996 (16 U.S.C. 1a-5 note; 110 Stat. 4172) and the 
     Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network authorized 
     under the Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act of 1998 (16 U.S.C. 
     461 note; 112 Stat. 2961). Such coordination shall extend to 
     any research needed to complete the studies and any findings 
     and implementation actions that result from the studies and 
     shall use available resources to the greatest extent possible 
     to avoid unnecessary duplication of effort.
       ``(D) Deadline for study.--Not later that 2 years after 
     funds are made available for the study under this paragraph, 
     the study shall be completed and transmitted with final 
     recommendations to the Committee on Resources in the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural 
     Resources in the Senate.''.

  The CHAIRMAN. During consideration of the bill for amendment, the 
Chair may accord priority in recognition to a Member offering an 
amendment that he has printed in the designated place in the 
Congressional Record. Those amendments will be considered read.
  The Chairman of the Committee of the whole may postpone a request for 
a recorded vote on any amendment and may reduce to a minimum of 5 
minutes the time for voting on any postponed question that immediately 
follows another vote, provided that the time for voting on the first 
question shall be a minimum of 15 minutes.
  Are there any amendments to the bill?
  If not, the question is on the committee amendment in the nature of a 
substitute.
  The committee amendment in the nature of a substitute was agreed to.
  The CHAIRMAN. Under the rule, the Committee rises.
  Accordingly, the Committee rose; and the Speaker pro tempore (Mr. 
Stearns) having resumed the chair, Mr. Bonilla, Chairman of the 
Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, reported that 
that Committee, having had under consideration the bill (H.R. 791) to 
amend the National Trails System Act to designate the route of the War 
of 1812 British invasion of Maryland and Washington, District of 
Columbia, and the route of the American defense, for study for 
potential addition to the National Trails System, pursuant to House 
Resolution 232, he reported the bill back to the House with an 
amendment adopted by the Committee of the Whole.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the rule, the previous question is 
ordered.
  The question is on the committee amendment in the nature of a 
substitute.
  The committee amendment in the nature of a substitute was agreed to.
  The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, was read 
the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on the 
table.

                          ____________________