H.Con.Res. 87 — Introduced in House

IV 113th CONGRESS 2d Session H. CON. RES. 87 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 25, 2014 Mr. Benishek submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform CONCURRENT RESOLUTION Recognizing the occasion of the 200th Anniversary of the Star Spangled Banner and its importance to the people of the United States. Whereas the year 2014 marks the bicentennial of the Star Spangled Banner; Whereas after a sustained 25-hour bombardment by the British Royal Navy on Fort McHenry between September 13 and 14, 1814, a large 15-star, 15-stripe American flag was raised over the fort; Whereas the Battle of Baltimore was a turning point in the War of 1812; Whereas an American lawyer, Francis Scott Key, witnessed the siege from a British ship while negotiating the release of a captured American doctor; Whereas Mr. Key wrote a four-stanza poem recounting the heroic defense of Fort McHenry and the city of Baltimore from invasion, representing a turning point in the War of 1812; Whereas the first stanza of the poem written by Mr. Key was adopted as the national anthem of the United States on March 3, 1931; and Whereas the Star Spangled Banner recounts this important moment in the Nation’s history and symbolizes the resilience and perseverance of the American people and our willingness to defend our freedom: Now, therefore, be it That Congress recognizes the significance of our national anthem and its importance to the people of the United States on the occasion of its 200th anniversary.