Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coin Act

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.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2097) to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the bicentennial of the writing of the Star-Spangled Banner, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2097, the Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coin Act, and applaud my colleague, Mr. Ruppersberger, for introducing the bill.

The bill instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue $5 gold coins and $1 silver coins in commemoration of the bicentennial of the writing of the ``Star-Spangled Banner.'' The issuing of this coin will would begin during the calendar year. The ``Star-Spangled Banner'' is set to music to a poem entitled ``In Defense of Fort McHenry'' written in 1814 by Francis Scott Key, who wrote the poem after seeing the bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland, by the Royal British Navy during the War of 1812. The American victory and the sight of the large American flag that survived the 25-hour British bombardment inspired the poem and the anthem.

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson ordered that the anthem, which had been popularly renamed the ``Star-Spangled Banner,'' be played at military and naval occasions. On March 6, 1931, President Herbert Hoover signed a resolution of Congress that officially designated the ``Star-Spangled Banner'' as the national anthem of the United States.

Throughout the course of American history, the ``Star-Spangled Banner'' has played a significant role in the democracy and freedom of this country and symbolizes our enduring respect for those who have fought and died to preserve the future of this great nation.

In the 110th Congress, similar legislation passed the House and had 298 cosponsors. I again urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I yield to Mr. Ruppersberger from Maryland as much time as he may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I submit the following exchange of letters regarding H.R. 2097.

House of Representatives,

Committee on Ways and Means,

Washington, DC, September 8, 2009.

Hon. Barney Frank,

Chairman, Financial Services Committee,

Washington, DC.

Dear Chairman Frank: I am writing regarding H.R. 2097, the

``Star Spangled Banner Commemorative Coin Act.''

As you know, the Committee on Ways and Means maintains

jurisdiction over bills that raise revenue. H.R. 2097

contains a provision that establishes a surcharge for the

sale of commemorative coins that are minted under the bill,

and thus falls within the jurisdiction of the Committee on

Ways and Means.

However, as part of our ongoing understanding regarding

commemorative coin bills and in order to expedite this bill

for Floor consideration, the Committee will forgo action.

This is being done with the understanding that it does not in

any way prejudice the Committee with respect to the

appointment of Conferees or its jurisdictional prerogatives

on this bill or similar legislation in the future.

I would appreciate your response to this letter, confirming

this understanding with respect to H.R. 2097, and would ask

that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be

included in the Record.

Sincerely,

Charles B. Rangel,

Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, I simply encourage my colleagues to support this historic bill and thank Mr. Ruppersberger for its introduction.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2097, the Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coin Act introduced by the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Ruppersberger).

This simple measure is designed to ensure that the United States properly pays tribute to an important moment in its history, namely, the writing of the ``Star-Spangled Banner.''

The story of Francis Scott Key at Fort McHenry is familiar to Americans old and young alike, but it bears some retelling. It was on the night of September 13, 1814, that Mr. Key negotiated the release of Dr. William Beanes, taken captive by the British and held on board a vessel in Baltimore Harbor. Not long after securing the doctor's release, Key and his party were not allowed to leave because they had become familiar with the British strength and positioning, as well as their attack strategy.

Over the next 25 hours they waited in the harbor as the British mercilessly bombarded Fort McHenry, all while remaining out of range of U.S. firepower.

When the barrage ended, Key peered out through the clearing smoke at daybreak to see in the distance the flag of the United States, its 15 stars and 15 stripes tattered but standing tall. Inspired, Key scribbled down a poem that he later set to a British melody. More than a century later, an act of Congress declared that tune was this Nation's anthem.

Mr. Speaker, as our Nation prepares to mark the 8th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, we are reminded not only of the many challenges that this Nation has faced in its history, but the symbols and words that have brought us together to endure these trials.

Five years from now the people of the State of Maryland will be joined by all Americans in celebrating the bicentennial of the writing of the ``Star-Spangled Banner.'' H.R. 2097, the Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coin Act, provides for the minting of coins in commemoration of this historic event and ensures that surcharges on the sales of these coins will be used to support activities related to the bicentennial, including education and outreach activities. All of these will be done at no cost to the taxpayers.

I want to again commend my colleague from Maryland (Mr. Ruppersberger) for introducing this bipartisan measure. I urge its immediate passage.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time.

I yield back.

Madam Speaker, yesterday, I missed 4 votes. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows.

Rollcall No. 690, on the Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree to H. Res. 447, I would have voted ``yea.''

Rollcall No. 691, on the Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H.R. 2097, I would have voted ``yea.''

Rollcall No. 692, on the Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H.R. 2498, I would have voted ``yea.''

Rollcall No. 693, on the Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree to H. Res. 722, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Banking Committee be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 2097 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate, and that any statements be printed in the Record.