[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 127 (Monday, September 8, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1348]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN RECOGNITION OF THE 200TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ``STAR SPANGLED BANNER'' 
                         AND HONORING OUR FLAG

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDWARD R. ROYCE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 8, 2014

  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, two hundred years ago, on September 14, 1814, 
Francis Scott Key and two other Americans, one a prisoner of the 
British whose release Key had been commissioned to negotiate, waited 
anxiously for the outcome of the battle begun nearly 24 hours earlier. 
Although Key had secured the release of Dr. William Beams, they were 
detained by the British overnight because they had overheard the 
British attack plans.
  During the rainy night, Key had witnessed the bombardment of Fort 
McHenry, and observed that the fort's smaller ``storm flag'' continued 
to fly. At dawn, Key was inspired by the American victory and the sight 
of a larger American flag, with fifteen stars and fifteen stripes 
flying triumphantly above the fort. This flag remains on public display 
in the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.
  The whole event inspired Key to write a poem, titled ``Defence of 
Fort M'Henry.'' It was soon set to music and performed to an 
enthusiastic public audience as ``The Star Spangled Banner'' less than 
a month later. In 1931, Congress adopted it as the national anthem of 
the United States.
  Orange County, California, which makes up most of the 39th 
Congressional District I represent, is home to one of Francis Scott 
Key's descendants. George Key, the great great grandson of the author 
of our national anthem, is a resident of San Clemente and a member of 
the ``greatest generation.'' A veteran of both World War II and the 
Korean Conflict, Mr. Key has honored his heritage by leading efforts in 
his own community to honor the flag that inspired his ancestor.
  Mr. Key is known as ``The Flagman of San Clemente.'' Even at 90 years 
of age, he continues to work with local schools, the Daughters of the 
American Revolution, the Boy Scouts, and others, teaching them U.S. 
history and how to properly dispose of American flags. He collects 
tattered flags from drop points in the city and arranges for their 
proper disposal. Along with a colleague, he created a program to honor 
veterans and their families by flying flags over San Clemente City Hall 
when the veterans pass away.
  I am pleased to recognize the 200th Anniversary of the ``Star 
Spangled Banner,'' and the legacy of the Key family in honoring our 
nation's flag.

                          ____________________