[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 32 (Wednesday, February 29, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1105-S1106]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    BICENTENNIAL OF THE WAR OF 1812

  Mr. CARDIN. Madam President, I rise today to commemorate the 200th 
anniversary of the War of 1812 and the ``Star Spangled Banner,'' and to 
honor the memory of all Americans who came together in America's 
``Second War of Independence,'' particularly those fallen heroes who 
gave their lives during the conflict.
  It is important Americans recognize the service and sacrifice of all 
those who have worn the uniform of this Nation. On behalf of the 
Senate, I thank the millions of brave men and women who have served in 
the U.S. Armed Forces and risked their lives for our Nation, including 
during the War of 1812.
  The War of 1812 confirmed America's independence from Great Britain 
in the eyes of the world. Before the war, the British had been 
routinely imposing on American sovereignty. They had impressed American 
merchant seamen into the British Royal Navy, enforced illegal and 
unfair trade rules with the United States, and allegedly offered 
assistance to American Indian tribes that were attacking frontier 
settlements. In response, the United States declared war on Great 
Britain to protest these violations of free trade, sailors' rights, and 
sanctioning raids on American land.
  After 2\1/2\ years of conflict, the British Navy sailed up the heart 
of the Chesapeake Bay with combined military and naval forces, and in 
August 1814 attacked Washington, DC, burning to the ground the U.S. 
Capitol, the White House, and much of the rest of our capital city. 
Less than 3 weeks later, the British set their eyes upon the next 
prize: the strategic port city of Baltimore, MD.
  American forces, primarily made up of citizens of Baltimore, prepared 
Baltimore City's defenses. Marylanders fought the British army during 
the Battle of North Point and helped repulse the British Navy from Fort 
McHenry during the now infamous Battle of Baltimore. I want to point 
out that the American forces during the Battle of North Point were 
volunteer militia. In the battle, just 250 members of the 5th Brigade 
of the Maryland Militia, heavily outnumbered by the highly trained 
British infantry, managed to delay the British forces long enough for 
10,000 reinforcements to arrive, preventing a land attack against 
Baltimore.
  The British assault also failed at sea. Following 25 hours of intense 
British naval bombardment at Fort McHenry, the American defenders 
refused to yield, and the British were forced to depart. During the 
bombardment, an American lawyer, Francis Scott Key, who was being held 
onboard an American flag-of-truce vessel in Baltimore Harbor, beheld, 
by the dawn's early light, the American flag still flying atop Fort 
McHenry.
  Key realized then that the Americans had survived the battle and 
stopped the enemy advance. Moved by the sight of the American flag 
flying over Fort McHenry, he composed the poem called ``The Defense of 
Fort McHenry,'' which was later set to music, becoming ``The Star 
Spangled Banner'' that officially became the National Anthem on March 
3, 1931. We will be celebrating this weekend the 82nd anniversary of 
the ``Star Spangled Banner'' becoming the official national anthem of 
our country. The flag that flew over Fort McHenry during that fateful 
night is now a national treasure on display at the Smithsonian 
Institution--an inspiration to all Americans--a very short distance 
from where we are today.
  The War of 1812 confirmed the legitimacy of the Revolution and served 
as a critical test for the U.S. Constitution and our newly established 
democratic government. Our young Nation battled against the largest, 
most powerful military on Earth at the time and emerged with an 
enhanced standing among the countries of the world. A new generation of 
Americans too young to remember the victory of the Revolutionary War 
were inspired by Francis Scott Key's poem to take pride in our Nation's 
flag, which embodies

[[Page S1106]]

our universal feelings of patriotism and courage.
  As a Marylander, I am proud of the role my State played in the War of 
1812, and I have been involved in legislative efforts to bring greater 
attention to this bicentennial celebration. My colleague Congressman 
Ruppersberger and I were sponsors of the Star Spangled Banner 
Commemorative Coin Act, signed into law by President Obama in August 
2010, directing the U.S. Mint to create coins commemorating this 
important anniversary.
  These gold and silver coin designs are emblematic of the War of 1812, 
particularly the Battle of Baltimore that formed the basis for the 
lyrics to our National Anthem. The coins are set to go on sale in March 
and will be sold only during this year. The surcharges from these 
commemorative coins will provide support to the Maryland War of 1812 
Bicentennial Commission to conduct bicentennial activities, assist in 
educational outreach, and preserve sites and structures relating to the 
War of 1812.
  I am also planning to introduce with my colleagues Senator Portman, 
Senator Kerry, and Senator Mikulski a resolution to mark this occasion, 
to celebrate the heroism of the American people during the conflict, 
and to recognize the various organizations involved in organizing 
commemorative events in Maryland and throughout the United States in 
the coming years, including the U.S. Armed Forces, the National Park 
Service, and the Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission.
  As we recognize all these ongoing efforts during this commemorative 
period, I encourage all Americans to remember the sacrifice of those 
who gave their lives to defend our Nation's freedom and democracy, and 
to join in the bicentennial celebration of our victory in the War of 
1812.
  With that, I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Schumer). The Senator from California is 
recognized.

                          ____________________