|
|
Legislation |
The legislation described herein was drafted by Michael Higgins, Historian and Chairman for the Committee on Merchant Marine Affairs, Navy League of the United States, Greater Golden Isles Council, Brunswick, Georgia. Mr. Higgins presented this legislation to State and Federal legislators on the National and State level to present and support this proposed legislation to establish a War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission, respectively, for the United States of America and the State of Georgia. U.S. House of Rep - H.R. 2052 - House companion Bill 109th U.S. Congress (2005-2006) H.R. 2052: Star-Spangled Banner and War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission Act To establish the Star-Spangled Banner and War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission, and for other purposes Latest Activity: 5/3/2005--Introduced. Summary: Star-Spangled Banner and War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission Act - Establishes the Star-Spangled Banner and War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission to encourage, plan, develop, coordinate, and execute programs, observances, and activities commemorating the historic events that preceded and are associated with the War of 1812. Requires the Commission to prepare a strategic plan and annual performance plans for any activity carried out by the Commission under this Act. Terminates the Commission on December 31, 2015. U.S. Senate Bill - S. 959 109th U.S. Congress (2005-2006) S. 959: Star-Spangled Banner and War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission Act A bill to establish the Star-Spangled Banner and War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission, and for other purposes. Last Action: 12/16/2005--Passed Senate, amended . Summary: Star-Spangled Banner and War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission Act - Establishes the Star-Spangled Banner and War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission to encourage, plan, develop, coordinate, and execute programs, observances, and activities commemorating the historic events that preceded and are associated with the War of 1812. Requires the Commission to prepare a strategic plan and annual performance plans for any activity carried out by the Commission under this Act. To view the United States Senate version, S.959, log-on: To view the State Legislation, Click Here or paste the URL into your Browser http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=s109-959 http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=s109-959 Georgia House Bill H.R. 988 HB 988 - (To create a Georgia State) War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission Sponsored by: Cecily Hill, 180th; Roger Lane, 167th ; Jerry Keen, 179th; Tommy Smith, 168th; Hinson Mosely, 168th Summary: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 12 of Title 50 of the O.C.G.A., relating to state government commissions and other agencies, so as to provide for the establishment of the War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission; to provide for the membership of the commission and the powers and duties of the commission; to provide for expenses; to provide for matters relating to commemorating the historic events that preceded and are associated with the War of 1812; to provide for abolition of the commission; to provide for repeal of the laws relating to such commission and the powers and duties of the commission; to create the War of 1812 Commemoration Commission and provide for its membership, powers, duties, and operations; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Status History: 1-11-06 House First Readers 1-12-2006 House Second Readers 03-01-2006 House Committee Favorably Reported 03-06-2006 House Third Readers 03-06-2006 House Passed/Adopted 03-08-2006 Senate Read and Referred 03-24-2006 Senate Committee Favorably Reported 03-24-2006 Senate Read Second Time To view the Georgia Senate version of H.B. 988, log-on http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=s109-959 To view the State Legislation, Click Here or copy the URL into your Browser http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2005_06/versions/hb988_Sen_ctee_sub_LC_14_9479S_7.htm The stated mission of the Navy League of the United States is to…"inform the American people and their government that the United States of America is a maritime nation and that its national defense and economic well being are dependent upon strong sea services United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, United States Coast Guard and United States Merchant Marine." The War of 1812 was a war fought over commerce. It was fought to defend the sovereignty of the young American Nation and the inviolability of our Merchant Marine on the high seas. Each of the sea services we represent and support, Navy, Merchant Marine, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard (then known as the U.S. Revenue Service) played a crucial role in America's defense. Each scored impressive victories. Most notably, The United States Navy scored numerous victories against the most powerful navy in the world during this period of history, the British Royal Navy. " Battle of Lake Erie (September 10, 1813) " Battle of Lake Champlain (September 11, 1814) " Defense of Washington (July-August 1814) " Defense of Baltimore (September 1814) " Battle of New Orleans (December 1814 - January 1815) Armed with the information above, it is exceedingly appropriate for the Navy League to take the lead in this endeavor. There is no endeavor more germane to our mission statement. The good news is the hard part is behind us -- the respective Bills, on both the State and Federal level, are now a known commodity. One has already passed the Senate and the other was assigned to Committee and went through mark-up where any objectionable language was been removed or revised. The bills, respectively, now reflect the general sense of Congress. On the Federal level, at the request of the Navy League of the United States (Greater Golden Isles Council), both Senator Isakson and Senator Chambliss, of Georgia, prevailed upon Senator Sarbanes of Maryland, to amend the language of S. 959 (which originally only included only eight states, and did not include Georgia) to include the State of Georgia and 19 others. S. 959 unanimously passed the U.S. Senate on 16 December 2005, leaving only the U.S. House companion bill, HR 2052, to be passed by the U.S. House of Representatives before the bill would be signed by the President and enacted. Friday, 8 December 2006 was the last legislative day on the Federal calendar for the 109th Session of Congress. Thursday night a legislative aide on U.S. Rep Brian Higgins staff advised me that the House companion bill to S. 959, designated H.R. 2052, was not on the calendar of legislation to be put to a vote. That essentially kills the effort for this year and the 109th Session. Therefore, we must begin the process all over again in both the House and Senate level. Legislation on the U.S. House level, H.R. 2052, had only 14 co-sponsors of the bill. Nearly all were from Maryland. Between now and the upcoming session of Congress, hopefully, with the assistance of our Navy League members, we will work on putting together a bi-partisan list of Senators and Congressmen from the 28 states mentioned in the Federal bill (Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin). To view the Georgia Senate version of H.B. 988, log-on: http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2005_06/versions/hb988_Sen_ctee_sub_LC_14_9479S_7.htm During the 110th Session (2007), working together, we are confident this will be the year this important legislation comes to fruition! Then, we may start planning for the Bicentennial, 2012 -2015, which is fast approaching! We (The Navy League of the United States) may then honor those men of the sea services who defended the sovereignty of the young American nation as well as the inviolability of America's Merchant Marine on the high seas. |