Paul S. Sarbanes Visitor and Education Center

Floor Speech

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Mr. MFUME. Mr. Speaker, I extend my sincere thanks to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Dingell) and the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) for their leadership on the floor today and for the long- standing diligence and civility that they bring to each and every debate. It is not lost on me at all.

I also thank the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Federal Lands, Representative Grijalva; Representative Tom Tiffany; and Federal Lands Subcommittee Ranking Member Joe Neguse. They have my sincerest appreciation. It has been a bit of a struggle to get to this point, but we found a way to get here in a bipartisan manner, and I am deeply, deeply appreciative.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6826, legislation to designate the visitor and education center at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine as the Paul S. Sarbanes Visitor and Education Center.

The Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine is a unit of the National Park Service, and it resides in the heart of my congressional district in Baltimore. As many Members may know, Fort McHenry was, as was mentioned earlier, the site of the historic Battle of Baltimore, the conflict between British and American forces which came to a head in the War of 1812.

During the clash, American forces beat back British sea and land invasions off of the busy port city of Baltimore and permanently neutralized the commander of the invading British forces.

The resistance of Baltimore's Fort McHenry during bombardment by the Royal Navy inspired the poem ``Defence of Fort M'Henry,'' which later became the lyrics to ``The Star-Spangled Banner,'' our national anthem.

Each year, hundreds of thousands of people from across America visit the fort to engage in outdoor recreation and to learn more about one of the most defining moments of our Nation's history.

The late Senator Paul Sarbanes, who served in this body for 6 years before eventually being elected to the Senate, was a champion of Fort McHenry from the beginning, and he firmly believed that the site would always be critical to understanding and appreciating our national heritage and our national identity.

Throughout his career, Senator Sarbanes worked tirelessly to facilitate public enjoyment and a real understanding of the historic events and the people who are still connected to that site.

Senator Sarbanes was and remained a true American patriot. He secured millions of dollars in Federal funds to enable critical repairs of the fort's deteriorating seawall, its masonry, and its foundations, and it stands as it does today and looks as it does today so much because of his tireless efforts.

Likewise, he worked to introduce numerous bipartisan bills that eventually established the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail as the 26th such trail in America. The trail covers Virginia, the District of Columbia, and the State of Maryland.

Telling the stories of the events, people, and the places that led to the birth of the national anthem is one of the things that he took a great deal of pride in. Of course, he worked to build the visitor center, which we are discussing today, at that historic fort.

As we know, Congress may authorize placement of a commemorative work, such as the naming of a center, in cases where there is compelling justification for the recognition that would permanently express the noteworthy and national relevance between both the person and the site.

Having served here in this body with some of you--and I know I served with him many years ago--and having served with John Dingell, the distinguished ranking member's husband, Paul worked very, very hard not just to lift up the idea of saving and preserving the fort but why it was important to do it together as Democrats and Republicans.

I particularly thank his son, John Sarbanes, who has served with us now for almost 18 years, who will be leaving this body in a few weeks, for the opportunity to be able to champion and to run with this legislation as an honor to his father and certainly as an honor to him.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that passing H.R. 6826 undoubtedly would be a fitting tribute to Senator Sarbanes' memory and an appropriate acknowledgement of his connection to and advocacy for the site, the State, and the Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this legislation for a selfless American who gave everything he had and could to the Nation that he so loved.

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