EXPLANATION: CAPITALS indicate matter added to existing law.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL
Introduced by: Councilmember Kraft
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ORDINANCE concerning
title
Official City Slogan - "Baltimore - Birthplace of The Star Spangled Banner"
FOR the purpose of establishing "Baltimore - Birthplace of The Star Spangled Banner" as the official slogan of the City of Baltimore; and providing for a special effective date.
body
BY recaptioning
Article 1 - Mayor, City Council, and Municipal Agencies
Subtitle 35. City Seal; Flags
to be
Subtitle 35. City Seal; City Slogan; Flags
Baltimore City Code
(Edition 2000)
BY adding
Article 1 - Mayor, City Council, and Municipal Agencies
Section(s) 35-5
Baltimore City Code
(Edition 2000)
Recitals
Our national anthem, "The Star Spangled Banner", is sung and celebrated times too numerous to count daily across the United States, and around the world. Surveys indicate however that only about 20% of Baltimore City residents know that Baltimore is the birthplace of the "The Star Spangled Banner" and that percentage is much lower in Maryland's Counties, let alone outside the state of Maryland.
The Baltimore City Historical Society, collaborating with the Friends of Ft. McHenry in cooperation with the Baltimore National Heritage Area, has established "The Anthem Project". After the important commemoration of the War of 1812 and National Anthem Bicentennial Celebration in September 2014 organized by Maryland's Star Spangled 200 Commission, it will continue the needed public education about the writing of our national anthem at Ft. McHenry in Baltimore.
"The Anthem Project" has created an educational poster to place in every school in Maryland. It has established an educational display in the Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr. Courthouse. These are initial steps. For the project to create the identity it needs, for the city, the state, and the nation to be truly educated about the Anthem, the City of Baltimore needs to adopt "Baltimore - Birthplace of the Star Spangled Banner" as the City's official slogan.
The American flag is a national and international icon with a unique tie to Baltimore. The "Star Spangled Banner" celebrates that flag somewhere around the world almost every minute of every day. It was born here and we should say so proudly and emphatically. Emphasizing Baltimore's link to our national anthem brings not only great attention but also deserved historical credit to our great City. Over time it will contribute toward rebuilding the City's positive national image.
Recently, a nationally respected preservationist publicly commented that Baltimore "has no historical face". This is disappointing because one of the strongest cultural and economic assets of Baltimore City is our historical identity. Adopting "Baltimore - Birthplace of the Star Spangled Banner" as the City's official slogan creates that historical face - our American flag, that "Star Spangled Banner" still there over Fort McHenry, her broad stripes and white stars still gallantly streaming.
NOW, THEREFORE,
SECTION 1. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That the Laws of Baltimore City read as follows:
Baltimore City Code
Article 1. Mayor, City Council, and Municipal Agencies
Subtitle 35. City Seal; CITY SLOGAN; Flags
ยง 35 5. CITY SLOGAN.
THE PHRASE "BALTIMORE - BIRTHPLACE OF THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER" IS ESTABLISHED AND APPROVED AS THE OFFICIAL SLOGAN OF THE CITY OF BALTIMORE.
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, That the catchlines contained in this Ordinance are not law and may not be considered to have been enacted as a part of this or any prior Ordinance.
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, That this Ordinance takes effect on the date it is enacted.
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