A resolution designating March 22, 2014, as "National Rehabilitation Counselors Appreciation Day".

Madam President, I rise today to commemorate the bicentennial anniversary of the War of 1812's Battle of Baltimore. The State of Maryland is proud of its contributions to this ``Second War for Independence,'' which reinforced United States sovereignty and gave birth to our national anthem. While Star-Spangled 200 events are already underway in my home State, I wish to spend a few minutes to discuss the War of 1812 and the story of Francis Scott Key's poem ``Defense of Fort M'Henry.''

A generation after the United States declared its independence from Great Britain, the mercantilist ties between the two countries were not fully severed. The British impressed American merchant seamen, enforced illegal and unfair trade regulations, colluded with certain Native American tribes to attack frontier settlements, and attempted to block westward expansion. The United States declared war to reassert autonomy over its own affairs, establish free trade, protect sailors' rights, and ensure that our Nation could prosper from sea to shining sea.

President James Madison eloquently outlined these justifications more than 200 years ago when he called on ``all the good people of the United States, as they love their country, as they value the precious heritage derived from the virtue and valor of their fathers . . . . . [to] exert themselves in preserving order, in promoting concord, in maintaining the authority and efficacy of the laws, and in supporting and invigorating all the measures which may be adopted by the constituted authorities for obtaining a speedy, a just, and an honorable peace.''

The contributions of the U.S. Navy were instrumental in repelling the British during the War of 1812. The U.S. Navy barely had a dozen warships compared to the hundreds of ships comprising the British fleet. British ships were undermanned, however, while well-trained and talented officers and seamen took command of American ships. These men were largely from coastal States, like Maryland, and

were accustomed to seafaring. Master Commandant Oliver Hazard Perry took on the British Navy on Lake Erie in 1813 with a scrappy fleet of light ships. Even though his force was seemingly decimated by the British, Master Commandant Perry resorted to paddling a rowboat with a banner that read ``Don't Give up the Ship.'' He then boarded the USS Niagara, double-loaded the carronades, and sailed directly into the British line, ultimately claiming victory.

The following summer, in 1814, the British Navy sailed up the Chesapeake Bay to attack our Nation's capital and seize the valuable port city of Baltimore. The British dealt heavy blows to Washington, DC, setting both the U.S. Capitol and the Executive Mansion--which we now know as the White House--ablaze. British forces then moved toward Baltimore. Citizens of Baltimore, including free Blacks, quickly mobilized to protect their city. Barricades stretching more than one mile long were constructed to protect the harbor, hulls were sunk to impede navigation, and a chain of masts was erected across the harbor entrance. When the British fleet approached Baltimore at North Point, Marylanders fought the British Army and helped repulse the British Navy from Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore. It is important to note that American forces during the Battle of North Point were volunteer militia, heavily outnumbered by the highly trained British infantry, but they managed to delay the British forces long enough for 10,000 American reinforcements to arrive, preventing a land attack against Baltimore. Following 25 hours of intense British naval bombardment at Fort McHenry by more than 1,600 cannonballs, the American defenders refused to yield, and the British were forced to end the Chesapeake Campaign and withdraw.

During the British bombardment, American lawyer Francis Scott Key, who was being held on board an American flag-of-truce vessel in Baltimore Harbor, took notice of the American flag still flying atop Fort McHenry. Key realized then that the Americans had survived the battle and had stopped the enemy advance. He was so moved by the sight of the American flag flying following the horrific bombardment, he composed a poem called ``The Defense of Fort M'Henry,'' which was published in the Baltimore Patriot & Advertiser newspaper later that year. This poem, and later the song, inspired love of country among the American people and not only helped usher in the ``era of good feelings'' immediately after the war, but became a timeless reminder of American resolve. ``The Star Spangled Banner'' officially became our national anthem in 1931. The flag that flew over Fort McHenry and inspired this anthem is now a national treasure on display at the Smithsonian Institution, a very short distance from where we are today.

The War of 1812 confirmed the legitimacy of the Revolution and served as a critical test for the U.S. Constitution and newly established democratic government. Our young Nation battled against the largest, most powerful military on the Earth at that time and emerged with an enhanced standing among the countries of the world, both militarily and diplomatically. The U.S. economy was freed of its dependence on British goods, which unleashed domestic manufacturing and spawned the industrial revolution. The U.S. Navy proved its worth and the U.S. Congress rewarded the Navy with funding for a permanent, more expansive fleet. A new generation of Americans too young to remember Lord Cornwallis's surrender at Yorktown, which effectively ended the Revolutionary War, and an older generation proud of defending American independence twice in their lifetimes, were inspired by Francis Scott Key's words, which embody our universal feelings of patriotism and courage.

I am proud that Maryland will lead the Star-Spangled 200 celebration, a 3-year celebration that began with Baltimore's ``Sailabration'' in June 2012. The Navy's Blue Angels treated more than 1.5 million spectators to dazzling air shows; the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra premiered the ``Overture for 2012,''' composed by Philip Glass; and forty-six tall ships and naval warships from around the world anchored in the Inner Harbor, open for public tours. Through the course of 2014, Maryland will host numerous events along the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail to commemorate the Chesapeake Campaign, and at the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine to celebrate the bicentennial of the Battle of Baltimore. This weekend, the Star- Spangled Spectacular celebration will conclude with a fireworks display over Fort McHenry that Francis Scott Key would be proud of. These ceremonies are an opportunity to showcase to the world that Maryland is an exceptional place with a rich, colorful, and important history.

I am also proud that the U.S. Senate unanimously adopted a resolution I sponsored in the 112th Congress--S. Res. 388--to mark the beginning of the bicentennial of the War, to celebrate the heroism of the American people during the conflict, and to recognize the various organizations involved in the bicentennial celebration, including the U.S. Armed Forces, the National Park Service, and the Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission.

The Senate may soon consider another resolution I have sponsored, along with my colleagues, the senior Senator from Maryland (Ms. Mikulski) and the junior Senator from Mississippi (Mr. Wicker), to commemorate the bicentennial of the Battle of Baltimore and the creation of the Star-Spangled Banner, which officially became our national anthem in 1931. As we recognize all of these ongoing efforts during this commemorative period, I encourage all Americans to remember the sacrifice of those who gave their lives to defend our Nation's freedom and democracy in its infancy, and to join in the bicentennial celebration of our victory in the War of 1812.

Madam President, I wish to recognize the bicentennial of our national anthem, the Star Spangled Banner, and of Defenders Day. I thank Senator Cardin, my partner in the Senate, for submitting a resolution to commemorate this occasion. Defenders Day, which inspired our national anthem, is momentous in the history of our Nation, the State of Maryland, and the City of Baltimore.

Two hundred years ago, the brave City of Baltimore led the way in the War of 1812 defending our Nation and holding the American line. Our troops stopped the British advance and claimed a much-needed victory for Baltimore and for the Nation.

Some call the War of 1812 the forgotten war. I believe it was the war that forged our Nation. As the United States entered the war, it was a loose collection of States. As we emerged from it, we were on the path to becoming a true Nation.

It was also during this war at the Battle of Baltimore that we gained an enduring icon of national patriotism in our National anthem, inspired by the naval battle at Fort McHenry. Fort McHenry is now a revered National monument and a historic shrine.

The Battle of Baltimore was a rousing victory in the dark days following the British attack on our Capitol. The British had just burned Washington, setting our Capitol and White House ablaze, and hurting America's morale.

Less than a month later, the British sent a fleet of ships toward Baltimore sailing up the Bay to break America at the war's frontline in what is known today as Patterson Park, but first they had to get past Fort McHenry.

The British bombed the Fort for twenty-five consecutive hours. Nearby, a young lawyer named Francis Scott Key watched from a ship where he was being held. When the smoke cleared on the morning of September 14, 1814, he saw the fifteen stars and fifteen stripes of the American flag streaming over the Fort. He was so thrilled that despite the bombs bursting in the air, ``our flag was still there.'' He went on to write the lines of the song that later became our National anthem, the Star Spangled Banner.

That day the line was held in Baltimore in our young country's war against the world's most powerful Nation. Fort McHenry has made history, and Fort McHenry has seen history. I am proud to represent Fort McHenry and Baltimore, and I encourage the passage of this resolution commemorating Fort McHenry, Defenders Day, and the Star Spangled Banner.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration en bloc of the following resolutions which were submitted earlier today: S. Res. 388, S. Res. 389, S. Res. 390, S. Res. 391, and S. Res. 392.

Mr. President, this resolution concerns a subpoena for documents and deposition testimony in a civil action pending in New Jersey Federal District Court. Plaintiffs in the case own and manage five assisted-living facilities in Connecticut and are in a labor dispute with the employees of those facilities. They have sued the union representing those employees for allegedly criminal and fradulent tactics in this labor dispute.

Plaintiffs have sent a subpoena to Senator Blumenthal seeking testimony and documents involving a broad scope of matters beyond merely the underlying labor dispute. Senator Blumenthal has agreed to seek Senate authorization to provide written communications between his office and the union regarding the underlying labor dispute. However, the Senator believes this subpoena presents an undue burden as it is overly broad in scope and seeks material that is not relevant to the lawsuit, and also encroaches on areas subject to privilege, and therefore objects to producing other documents and to the request for deposition testimony.

This resolution would authorize the production of documents from Senator Blumenthal's office except where a privilege or objection is asserted. The resolution also authorizes the Senate Legal Counsel to represent Senator Blumenthal in this matter.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolutions be agreed to, the preambles be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table en bloc, with no intervening action or debate.