[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 54 (Thursday, April 28, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4571-S4572]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. SARBANES (for himself, Ms. Mikulski, Ms. Landrieu, and Mr. 
        Levin):
  S. 959. A bill to establish the Star-Spangled Banner and War of 1812 
Bicentennial Commission, and for other purposes; to the Committee on 
the Judiciary.
  Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, today I am introducing two measures to 
commemorate America's second war of independence--the War of 1812--and 
aid in the efforts to preserve sites related to this important period 
in our Nation's history.
  Pursuant to legislation that I authored in the 106th Congress, the 
National Park Service recently completed a study of the feasibility and 
desirability of designating a Star-Spangled Banner National Historic 
Trail commemorating the routes used by the British and Americans during 
the 1814 Chesapeake Campaign of the War of 1812.
  The Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail Feasibility Study 
and Environmental Impact Statement, completed in March 2004, determined 
that five of eight trail segments studied fully met the criteria for 
National Historic Trails and recommended this designation.
  The legislation I am introducing today implements the recommendations 
of the National Park Service's study. The Star-Spangled Banner National 
Historic Trail Act amends the National Trails System Act to designate 
the Star-Spangled Banner Trail in the States of Maryland and Virginia 
and the District of Columbia as a National Historic Trail. I am pleased 
that my colleague Senator Mikulski is joining with me as a cosponsor of 
this bill. A similar companion bill has also been introduced in the 
House by my colleagues Congressmen Cardin and Gilchrest.
  The sites along the proposed Star-Spangled Banner National Historic 
Trail would mark some of the most important events of the War of 1812. 
The trail, commemorating the only combined naval and land attack on the 
United States, begins with the June 1814 battles between the British 
Navy and the American Chesapeake Flotilla in St. Leonard's Creek in 
Calvert County, and ends at Fort McHenry in Baltimore, site of the 
composition of our national anthem, and the ultimate defeat of the 
British.
  In my view, the designation of this route as a National Historic 
Trail will serve as a reminder of the importance of the concept of 
liberty to all who experience it. The Star-Spangled Banner National 
Historic Trail will also give long overdue recognition to those 
patriots whose determination to stand

[[Page S4572]]

firm against enemy invasion and bombardment preserved this liberty for 
future generations of Americans.
  The second measure I am introducing today seeks to ensure that the 
upcoming bicentennial of the War of 1812 and the poem which became our 
national anthem will be appropriately observed. I am pleased to be 
joined by Senators Mikulski, Landrieu and Levin in offering this 
legislation.
  The Star-Spangled Banner and War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission Act 
implements another recommendation included in the aforementioned 
National Park Service study by creating a commission, made up in part 
by citizens from nine states and the District of Columbia, to ensure a 
suitable national observance of the War of 1812. The commission is 
tasked with planning, encouraging, developing, executing and 
coordinating programs commemorating the historic events that preceded 
and are associated with the War of 1812. Among other things, the 
commission is charged with facilitating this commemoration throughout 
the United States and internationally.
  As the bicentennial of the War of 1812 rapidly approaches, a plan to 
mark the lasting contributions that our forebears made during this 
critical period in our Nation's history is needed. In my view, both of 
these measures will work to ensure that these patriots' commitment to 
the principles of liberty and sovereignty will not be forgotten.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting their passage.
                                 ______