[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 56 (Tuesday, May 3, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E850-E851]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION COMMEMORATING THE WAR OF 1812 BICENTENNIAL

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN L. CARDIN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 3, 2005

  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing with Representative 
Wayne Gilchrest two pieces of legislation that will be catalysts for 
the forthcoming national commemoration of the Bicentennial of the War 
of 1812.
  The first bill, entitled the ``Star-Spangled Banner National Historic 
Trail Act'', will establish within the National Park Service's National 
Trails System a 290-mile long trail extending from Southern Maryland 
through the District of Columbia and Virginia and north to Baltimore, 
Maryland. The trail will follow and recognize

[[Page E851]]

the Chesapeake Campaign of the War of 1812. That campaign culminated 
with the British bombardment of Ft. McHenry which inspired our National 
Anthem.
  The second bill, entitled the ``Star-Spangled Banner and War of 1812 
Bicentennial Commission Act'', will authorize establishing a national 
commission to organize, facilitate and encourage observance and 
commemoration of America's Second Revolutionary War--the War of 1812. 
The Commission will also seek to protect historic and cultural 
resources associated with the war.
  The War of 1812 tested our young nation to its roots. Shortly after 
conclusion of the Revolutionary War and the establishment of a federal 
government for our nation, the English and French entered 22 years of 
war. Our nation, dependent upon trade to survive, was increasingly 
drawn into this conflict. Though we struggled to remain neutral 
traders, essential tools in the English-French conflict were the naval 
blockade and other trade-restricting efforts. The English, with the 
most powerful navy, were particularly effective in enforcing blockades, 
often directly off our shores--frequently intercepting American trading 
vessels in our own territorial waters. In addition, the British 
aggressively impressed American sailors. England claimed the right to 
halt American ships and remove both suspected deserters from the Royal 
Navy and former subjects of His Majesty though they were American 
citizens.
  From 1793 through 1812, our country sought to establish its 
neutrality and reduce growing frictions with the British on the seas 
through diplomacy. But anti-British feelings grew, particularly in the 
West and South where expansionists were strong. Growing economic 
pressures also led to young, aggressive Members of Congress from these 
regions gaining control and declaring war against the British in 1812.
  Central to the War of 1812 was the Chesapeake Campaign. The British 
were depending largely upon their navy to vanquish the Americans and 
they almost immediately began a very effective blockade of the 
Chesapeake and Delaware Bays. In the summer of 1814 the British 
launched a land and naval attack upon the United States beginning in 
Southern Maryland. The British engaged with the American Chesapeake 
Flotilla on St. Leonard's Creek in Calvert County in June. In August 
they put troops ashore at Benedict, on the Patuxent River and began 
marching towards the largely undefended City of Washington. After the 
brief Battle of Bladensburg, the British marched into Washington and 
burned much of the new federal city.

  The British then turned to the greater prize of the era, an attack on 
Baltimore. The City of Baltimore in 1814 was far larger, wealthier and 
more important than Washington. Three American warships were under 
construction in the Baltimore harbor at the time and the City's 
shipyards were well known for outfitting most effective privateers--the 
Baltimore Clippers. But Baltimore was well defended. Local leaders had 
organized defensive efforts, acting independently from the national 
government. Private donations of more than $500,000 had been put to 
good use and militias from Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania 
gathered, joining with many local citizens to defend the city.
  The British first met strong resistence at the Battle of North Point, 
but they prevailed through greater numbers and then held up just 
outside the city limits to await the naval cooperation necessary to 
occupy Baltimore. Thus Ft. McHenry became the crucial battle line. The 
heroic defenders at Fort McHenry held off the British fleet through the 
ships' long bombardment, ending the English advance and preserving 
liberty and independence for our young nation. Our National Anthem, 
written that fateful night by Francis Scott Key as a poem, well 
recognizes the historic importance of this battle to our people and 
nation.
  The proud history of this Second War of Independence deserves broad 
national commemoration upon its bicentennial. The first bill introduced 
today will designate the Star-Spangled Banner Trail in the States of 
Maryland and Virginia and the District of Columbia as a National 
Historic Trail. Today, the Park Service has designated 16 National 
Historic Trails, from the Lewis and Clark trail of exploration, to the 
trail from Selma to Montgomery. The Star Spangled Banner Trail will 
recognize the most important sites from the War of 1812's Chesapeake 
Campaign and the role played by the patriots of these battles in the 
ultimate defeat of the British by our young nation.
  The second bill we are introducing today authorizes the ``Star 
Spangled Banner and War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission'' to plan, 
coordinate and facilitate programs and other efforts to commemorate the 
historic events associated with the War of 1812. The Commission will be 
made up of citizens from 9 key states involved in the War from Alabama 
to New York, representatives of the cities of Baltimore, Washington and 
New Orleans, members of National Park Service, and appointees of the 
House and Senate. The Commission will have broad authority and 
responsibility for bicentennial events, but will also work to assure 
that the natural and cultural resources of the war are protected for 
the long term. As well, the Commission will enable improvements at 
sites and to facilities necessary to enhance and maximize our citizens' 
appreciation of this era's proud history.
  Several years ago Congressman Gilchrest and I worked closely on 
legislation directing the Park Service to conduct the studies that have 
lead to introduction of these bills. I am pleased that he is joining me 
today as the original co-sponsor on both. I would also like to 
recognize all the legislative work of Senator Paul Sarbanes to prepare 
for the commemoration of the Bicentennial of the War of 1812. He has 
introduced companion legislation in the Senate to the two bills we are 
introducing today.
  Mr. Speaker, I hope all our colleagues from the regions directly 
impacted by the War of 1812 and others from across the nation will join 
us in support of both these bills.

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