[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 142 (Monday, October 5, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10113-S10114]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 44--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS THAT 
  A POSTAGE STAMP SHOULD BE ISSUED TO COMMEMORATE THE WAR OF 1812 AND 
  THAT THE CITIZENS' STAMP ADVISORY COMMITTEE SHOULD RECOMMEND TO THE 
             POSTMASTER GENERAL THAT SUCH A STAMP BE ISSUED

  Mr. LEVIN (for himself, Mr. Voinovich, Mr. Brown, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. 
Kaufman, Ms. Stabenow, Ms. Snowe, and Mr. Leahy) submitted the 
following concurrent resolution, which was referred to the Committee on 
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs:

                            S. Con. Res. 44

       Whereas the War of 1812, often referred to as ``America's 
     Second War of Independence'', was a significant effort for 
     the United States in securing territorial boundaries and 
     limiting violence on the frontier, clarifying the border 
     between the United States and Canada, ensuring safety for 
     American mariners from attack in passage to Europe and other 
     shores around the world, and securing a lasting and 
     definitive independence from Great Britain;
       Whereas the continental United States was invaded and 
     partly occupied, and public buildings in the Nation's capital 
     were burned, by a foreign power;
       Whereas the major areas of military operations took place 
     along the Canadian-American border in the North, the Atlantic 
     Seaboard in the East, and the Gulf Coast in the South;
       Whereas the infant United States Navy won small but 
     important victories with ships like the USS Constitution, or 
     ``Old Ironsides'', against the dominant world naval power of 
     the time, and American squadrons on Lake Erie and Lake 
     Champlain defeated British squadrons;
       Whereas the War of 1812 was a proving ground for future 
     leaders of the United States, including Andrew Jackson, 
     William Henry Harrison, James Monroe, Winfield Scott, Zachary 
     Taylor, John Quincy Adams, Jacob Brown, and others;
       Whereas the War of 1812 produced heroes and heroines that 
     entered into American legend, such as Dolley Madison, Jean 
     Lafitte, Davy Crockett, and others, including many whose 
     names have been lost to history or are buried in War 
     Department records;
       Whereas Native American resistance to encroachment on their 
     lands was ennobled and personified by The Great Shawnee Chief 
     Tecumseh and others;
       Whereas desperate battles and circumstances produced a 
     number of inspirational and patriotic sayings, including 
     ``Don't give up the ship'', ``Remember the Raisin'', and ``We 
     have met the enemy and they are ours'';
       Whereas the bombardment of Fort McHenry inspired Francis 
     Scott Key to pen the words of what was to become the National 
     Anthem;
       Whereas the War of 1812 left the people of the United 
     States with a new respect and reverence for their national 
     flag;
       Whereas the iconic figure Uncle Sam made his first 
     appearance in the War of 1812;
       Whereas on December 24, 1814, the peace treaty to end the 
     War of 1812 was officially signed in Ghent, Belgium;
       Whereas the Treaty of Ghent declared the release of all 
     prisoners of war and returned land seized by both sides;
       Whereas the Treaty of Ghent also formally restored 
     diplomatic relations between the United States and Great 
     Britain, resulting in a lasting peace that has endured to 
     this day;
       Whereas the War of 1812 was significant in the formation of 
     Canada and the Canadian identity;
       Whereas 2012 marks the bicentennial of the War of 1812; and
       Whereas the War of 1812 was an important benchmark, not 
     only in forging the identity of this Nation, but also in the 
     emergence of the United States as a great power: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) the United States Postal Service should issue a postage 
     stamp commemorating the War of 1812; and
       (2) the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee should recommend 
     to the Postmaster General that such a stamp be issued.

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I am pleased to be joined by our colleagues 
Senators Voinovich, Landrieu, Kaufman, Brown, Stabenow, Snowe, and 
Leahy to introduce this concurrent resolution urging the United States 
Postal Service to issue a stamp commemorating the War of 1812. The War 
of 1812 was a pivotal war in our Nation's history. Often referred to as 
``America's Second War of Independence,'' it secured our lasting 
independence from Great Britain, set our border with Canada, limited 
violence on the frontier and ensured the safety of American mariners 
around the world.
  My home State of Michigan witnessed many battles during the War, 
including one fought near current day Monroe, Michigan, at the River 
Raisin. The Battle of the River Raisin, also known as the River Raisin 
Massacre, proved to be one of the bloodiest battles of the war. 
``Remember the Raisin'' became a rallying cry for American soldiers.
  Many such battles were fought throughout our young Nation; future 
leaders and presidents proved their mettle on the battlefield or at sea 
including Andrew Jackson, William Henry Harrison, James Monroe, 
Winfield Scott, Zachary Taylor, John Quincy Adams, and others. 
Legendary

[[Page S10114]]

heroes whose names are still remembered today emerged from this 
tumultuous time in our history such as Dolley Madison, Jean Lafitte, 
and Davey Crockett.
  It was during the bombardment of Fort McHenry in 1814 that Francis 
Scott Key was inspired to pen the words to what became our national 
anthem, ``The Star Spangled Banner.'' It was also during the war that 
patriotic figure ``Uncle Sam'' made his first appearance. The 
inspiration for this figure was New York State businessman Samuel 
Wilson. Mr. Wilson provided beef in barrels to the army which were 
labeled U.S. for the U.S. These barrels were commonly said to come from 
Uncle Sam, a reference which still today refers to the Federal 
Government.
  Considering the significance that the War of 1812 had on our young 
Nation, it is fitting that the U.S. Postal Service issue a stamp 
commemorating the bicentennial of this pivotal time in our history.
  Mr. KAUFMAN. Mr. President, I would like to thank Senator Levin for 
submitting this important resolution to commemorate the significance of 
the War of 1812. ``America's Second War of Independence''--as it is 
sometimes called--was a critical turning point in forming the Nation we 
know today. Battles took place throughout the country to define our 
borders and secure our independence. One of those engagements took 
place in Lewes, DE.
  Lewes sits at the mouth of the Delaware River--a critical gateway to 
Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Trenton. In March of 1813, under the 
command of Commodore John Beresford, the British Royal Navy established 
a blockade of the Delaware Bay and River. Beresford demanded that Lewes 
provide his squadron with meat, vegetables, and other supplies. He 
warned that, ``If you refuse to comply with this request, I shall be 
under the necessity of destroying your town.''
  The residents of Lewes stood their ground. America was at war, and 
Lewes officials refused to help the British--even though the blockade 
was significantly impairing trade in the region and driving up the cost 
of goods.
  Lewes prepared for attack. The Delawareans knew they did not have the 
ammunition to match the British ships, but they readied for battle as 
best as they could. Led by the intrepid Colonel Samuel Davis, local 
militias were called in to build a basic fort and small watchtower to 
protect the town. They blew out the lamps in the Cape Henlopen 
lighthouse and moved the buoys that marked the shoals in the bay, 
hoping to disorient enemy vessels during an assault.
  On April 6, the British launched their attack. They fired hundreds of 
cannon balls at Lewes, yet they were unable to do heavy damage to the 
town. This was partially because the creative tactics of the Delawarean 
militia disoriented the British, and none of their larger ships were 
able to get close to shore. The people of Lewes also retrieved many of 
the cannons that landed in soft soil and fired them back at the 
British.
  The engagement at Lewes also holds historical significance for the 
first-ever use of the Congreve rocket. The red glare of these rockets, 
when used during a similar attack on Fort McHenry in Baltimore, would 
inspire Francis Scott Key to write the ``Star Spangled Banner.''
  After 22 hours of bombarding Lewes, Beresford's ships retreated on 
April 7. Although short of supplies and trained soldiers, the people of 
Lewes were able to repel and cause damage to the British vessels. There 
was no loss of life in Lewes and a local poet summarized the attack 
with the simple phrase: ``The commodore and his men, wounded a pig and 
killed a hen.''
  The defenders of Lewes were brave and resourceful, and while this 
small battle in Lewes may not have changed the course of the war, it 
demonstrated to the British--and to the world--that Americans were 
united and strong in defense of their country.
  The War of 1812 was a significant turning point in our natural 
development. It solidified our independence and marked the emergence of 
our Nation as a great power. I am pleased to cosponsor Senator Levin's 
resolution to issue a stamp commemorating the War of 1812.

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