Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coin Act

Floor Speech

Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coin Act

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Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Thank you.

I rise today to ask my colleagues to support H.R. 2097, the Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coin Act. This legislation will create a commemorative coin to honor America's national anthem. I would particularly like to thank Chairman Frank for his support.

The United States Mint creates two commemorative silver coins each year. The topic is congressionally directed. All expenses of minting, design and production of the coin are included in the final selling price of the coin. This bill does not trigger any PAYGO rules and is revenue neutral.

This happens to be the second time I've gathered more than 290 cosponsors and have been on the floor to speak about this bill.

The $1 silver coin will be minted in 2012 for the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812. Proceeds will help fund the War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission, which will hold celebrations along the east coast kicking off in June of 2012 and running through September of 2014. These celebrations include a naval review, reenactment, festivals, historical lectures, parades, the creation of a national curriculum for students and the opportunity to honor the brave men and women who withstood the British during the War of 1812.

My hometown of Baltimore is proud to be the home of America's national anthem. During a nightlong attack on Baltimore by British forces, Francis Scott Key was held captive aboard a British ship in the Chesapeake Bay. The morning after the bombardment, he looked out his window and saw a large American flag had survived the assault, still flying proudly over Fort McHenry. He knew the American forces had successfully defended the city of Baltimore at the fort. The next day, he was inspired to pen his famous poem in honor of that event.

His brother-in-law, Judge Joseph H. Nicholson, set the poem to the tune of a popular British melody. A few days later, it was printed in Baltimore and quickly spread to newspapers from New Hampshire to Georgia. The song gained popularity and was often played at public events and Fourth of July celebrations. However, it would be many years before the ``Star-Spangled Banner'' became our official national anthem.

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson ordered that the song be played at military events and other official occasions. By the late 1920s, a consensus formed across the country that America needed an official anthem. John Philip Sousa, a famous U.S. composer, argued in favor of the ``Star-Spangled Banner'' and on March 3, 1931, President Hoover signed legislation adopting it as the national anthem for the United States of America. For more than 75 years, the ``Star-Spangled Banner'' has evoked pride and patriotism among Americans.

I hope this collectable coin will inspire more Americans to learn the lyrics of the ``Star-Spangled Banner'' and the role Baltimore played in the history of our Nation during the War of 1812.

All Americans are welcome to come to Baltimore to visit Fort McHenry. Right now, Americans can enjoy the rich history of this country. There are Civil War battlefields being preserved; a Star-Spangled Banner trail being created which runs through Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virginia; and the War of 1812 Commissions being organized in States from New York to Georgia.

Folks can visit the original Star-Spangled Banner flag here in Washington at the American Museum of National History.

I ask that my colleagues vote for H.R. 2097 and join me in honoring Francis Scott Key, ``The Star-Spangled Banner,'' and the War of 1812--an event that changed the history of our Nation.

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