S.Res. 153Senate113th Congress (2013-2015)Passed Congress

A resolution recognizing the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Lake Erie.

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Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

July 29, 2013

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

May 23, 2013

SenateIntro Referral

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3863)

May 23, 2013

SenateIntro Referral

Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3863)

Judiciary Committee

May 23, 2013

SenateCommittee

Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S6027-6028)

Judiciary Committee

July 29, 2013

SenateDischarge

Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6027-6028)

Judiciary Committee

July 29, 2013

SenateFloor

Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

July 29, 2013

Floor Debate

2 members

What members said about S.Res. 153 on the floor

1 Republican1 Democrat

Sen. Patrick J. ToomeyR-PA · May 23, 2013

Mr. President, I am submitting a resolution to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Lake Erie. In the history of United States, the War of 1812 is often an overlooked chapter. However,…

Mr. President, I am submitting a resolution to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Lake Erie.

In the history of United States, the War of 1812 is often an overlooked chapter. However, for any visitor intrepid enough to forego the elevators in the Senate side of the Capitol, it is impossible not to notice one important day within those years of turmoil and war. Dominating the staircase is a massive rendition of the Battle of Lake Erie, painted by William Henry Powell in 1873.

The Battle of Lake Erie was one of the few unquestioned American triumphs in the war. In the center of Powell's painting is the young and courageous Oliver Hazard Perry. On September 10, 1813, after two hours of intense fighting, defeat stared Commodore Perry dead in the face, yet he refused to succumb. The painting depicts the famous point in the battle when Perry transfers his command from his disabled flagship to the U.S. Brig Niagara to begin the fight anew. His determination would pay off as the confused and battered enemy fleet would be unable to sustain the ongoing punishment from the Niagara's cannonade. One by one each enemy vessel would strike their colors as they were forced to relinquish control of the Great Lake of Erie.

The dramatic encounter breathed new life into a damaged American war effort and captured the imagination of our young nation. Contributing in no small way to this victory was Pennsylvania's own city on the lake, Erie, that provided the safe locale, supplies, and muscle necessary to build the victorious fleet in limited time.

Just as the Battle of Lake Erie would test the resolve of the young commander Perry and his fleet, the overall war would test the resolve of our young nation. For those who think that partisan division is something unique to our country's current condition, I encourage you to look back to the bitter struggles between the Republicans and Federalists at the beginning of the 19th century. Those years would produce not only disagreement on the direction of our nascent union but also uncertainty of the ultimate success of this great experiment in representative government and the war very nearly tore us apart.

This upcoming bicentennial affords us the opportunity to reflect on the challenges overcome by our forefathers to shape and preserve this great nation that we have inherited. My friends in Erie and the Perry 200 Commemoration Commission will spend this summer paying tribute to this great battle and its participants, and I thank them for their hard work and dedication to ensure their appropriate recognition. I am hopeful this resolution can help bring attention to this remarkable event that so moved our Nation 200 years ago.

Sen. Harry ReidD-NV · Jul 29, 2013

I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary Committee be discharged from further consideration and the Senate now proceed to S. Res. 153.

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Agreed to SenateIssued July 29, 2013

III

113th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. RES. 153

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

May 23, 2013

Mr. Toomey (for himself, Mr. Brown, and Mr. Portman) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

July 29, 2013

Committee discharged; considered and agreed to

RESOLUTION

Recognizing the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Lake Erie.

Whereas the 9 vessels in the United States naval fleet on the Great Lake of Erie during the War of 1812 were assembled and stationed at Presque Isle Bay, Pennsylvania;

Whereas the American forces, under the command of 28-year-old Rhode Island native Oliver Hazard Perry, were tasked to subdue the enemy fleet on the lake and sever its vital supply lines to the northwestern front;

Whereas the United States fleet met its adversaries a short distance from Put-in-Bay, Ohio, on September 10, 1813;

Whereas during the intense fight that ensued, the flagship of Commodore Perry, the U.S. Brig Lawrence, was disabled and its crew suffered over an 80-percent casualty rate;

Whereas Commodore Perry refused to surrender, courageously boarded a small rowboat, traversed a half-mile through hostile waters, and transferred his command to the U.S. Brig Niagara;

Whereas the U.S. Brig Niagara steered back into the heart of the battle, outmaneuvered its foes, and forced the subsequent surrender of the entire British fleet on Lake Erie;

Whereas 100 sharpshooters from the Kentucky militia stationed on board the flotilla provided devastating covering fire throughout the encounter;

Whereas to communicate the conclusion of the engagement to Major General William Henry Harrison, Commodore Perry provided the historic and succinct battle summary: We have met the enemy, and they are ours—two ships, two brigs one schooner & one sloop.;

Whereas the victory solidified American control of Lake Erie for the duration of the conflict, enabling United States forces to retake Detroit and win further battles in the Old Northwest and the Niagara Valley;

Whereas the State of Pennsylvania to this day maintains the U.S. Brig Niagara as its State ship;

Whereas the battle flag of Commodore Perry, Dont Give Up the Ship, is preserved in the United States Naval Academy Museum in Annapolis, Maryland; and

Whereas the battle is immortalized in the United States Senate by the masterpiece painted by William Henry Powell in 1873: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate—

(1)

recognizes the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Lake Erie;

(2)

remembers with great pride this significant victory in the Second War of Independence of the United States;

(3)

commends the city of Erie, Pennsylvania, and the Perry 200 Commemoration Commission for their efforts to ensure the appropriate recognition of this historic event; and

(4)

expresses its deepest gratitude to all the sailors and marines who gave their lives in honorable service to the United States of America on the Great Lake of Erie 200 years ago.