Norton Introduces Bill to Honor Patriots on Anniversary of War of 1812

WASHINGTON, DC – On the anniversary of the start of the War of 1812, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced the National Patriots Memorial Act, to authorize the establishment of a memorial on federal land in the District of Columbia to honor the patriots of the War of 1812, including those who fought in the streets of the District, the patriots of the Revolutionary War, and America's international allies that also fought in support of U.S. freedom during those wars. No federal funds may be used for the memorial. Benjamin Harrison Society members who live in D.C requested that Norton introduce the bill. In August 1814, during the 32-month War of 1812, British forces set fire to several public buildings in the District of Columbia, including the U.S. Capitol.

"The Memorial will preserve the history of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, particularly the patriots and allies who fought during those wars," said Norton. "The National Patriots Memorial also will remind the nation that D.C. residents fought in our Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, just as our residents serve in all of our nation's wars today despite lacking equal congressional representation."

Norton's recent efforts to honor and commemorate the District's veterans and servicemembers includes a provision she sought, which was included in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013, signed into law by the President, that requires the armed services to display the District of Columbia flag and the flags of the territories whenever the flags of the 50 states are displayed. Also, in 2012, Norton succeeded in preserving the D.C. War Memorial on the National Mall against attempts to nationalize it. Her bill ensured that the memorial remained dedicated to the 26,000 D.C. residents who served in World War I (WW I), including 499 of whom died, and called for a suitable, separate location for a memorial dedicated to all Americans who served in WW I be determined.

Published: June 18, 2013