[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16922]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                     A TRIBUTE TO VIRGINIA L. DORIS

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                        HON. PATRICK J. KENNEDY

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 27, 2000

  Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to bring 
attention to the work of Virginia L. Doris of Warwick RI. As a Rhode 
Island historian for over 40 years, Ms. Doris has put great effort into 
her quest to bring proper honor and recognition to America's ``poet and 
patriot,'' Francis Scott Key, author of our National Anthem. As we near 
the 221 year anniversary of the birth of this American legend, I would 
like to submit this poem by Ms. Doris into the Record, so that we might 
renew the call for an official day honoring Francis Scott Key's 
contribution to our national heritage.

         Francis Scott Key--America's Ultimate Poet and Patriot

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

     Anthem, Sacred Anthem! our pulses repeat,
     Warm with 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 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 this 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!

     Composed by: Virginia Louise Doris

     

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