[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 16753]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



A TRIBUTE TO FRANCIS SCOTT KEY ON THE OCCASION OF HIS BIRTHDAY, AUGUST 
                                1, 1779

 Mr. L. CHAFEE. Mr. President, one of my constituents, Virginia 
Louise Doris of Warwick, RI, has written a beautiful poem that 
commemorates the life of Francis Scott Key, and his steadfast efforts 
in penning what has become the words of our National Anthem. Last year 
I was pleased to share with my colleagues a poem she wrote about the 
valiant soldiers of World War II. Today, after reading her latest poem, 
I thought it would be appropriate to share her heartfelt words.
  Virginia Doris has informed me that she has worked for many years 
researching the life of Francis Scott Key, and has written a monograph 
compiling her findings. Her dedication to bringing recognition to this 
great American is indeed inspiring. I thank her for sharing the poem 
with me, and wish her continued success in sharing the worthy story of 
her hero, Francis Scott Key.
  I ask that a copy of Virginia Doris' poem appear at this point in the 
Record.
  The poem follows:

                   Poem in honor of Francis Scott Key

                       (By Virginia Louise Doris)

     Anthem, Mighty Anthem! Our voices resound,
     Poem by God's blessing, unsceptered, uncrowned!

     Anthem, Sacred Anthem! Our pulses repeat,
     Warm with the life-blood, as long as they beat!

     Listen! The reverence of his soul imbued doth thrill us 
           still,
     In the old familiar places beneath their emerald hill.

     Here at this altar our vows we renew
       still in thy cause be loyal and true--
     True to thy flag on the field, and the wave,
       living to honor it, dying to save!

     Wake in our breast the living fires,
       the Holy faith that warmed our sires,
     Thy spirit shed through every heart,
       to every arm thy strength impart!

     Our lips should fill the air with praises, and pay the debt 
           we owe,
     So high above his hymn we raise the floods of garlands flow.

     Harken! The reverence of his soul imbued doth thrill us 
           still,
     In the old familiar places beneath their emerald hill.

     Anthem, Mighty Anthem! our voices resound,
     Poem by God's blessing unsceptered uncrowned!

     Anthem, Sacred Anthem! our pulses repeat,
     Warm with the life-blood, as long as they beat!

                          ____________________