Governor O'Malley Announces Chair of Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission
Design for new Maryland Star-Spangled 200 license plate, website and partnership with the U.S. Navy
BALTIMORE, MD (September 12, 2009) –Governor Martin O’Malley named Raymond A. “Chip” Mason as the Chair of the Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission at the ceremony today to commemorate the 195th anniversary of the Battle of Baltimore and the bombardment of Fort McHenry. Mason is founder of Baltimore-based Legg Mason, Inc., one of the largest asset management firms in the world, serving individual and institutional investors in 190 countries on six continents.
“It is an honor to name Raymond “Chip” Mason as the Chair of the Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission at such an exciting period of commemoration,” said Governor O’Malley. “The War of 1812 in Maryland is our most important national heritage story, when diverse Marylanders from every walk of life banded together to defeat the greatest military power in the world.”
“I am honored to work with Marylanders across the state to set the platform for the next century of resource stewardship, education and economic development for our Star-Spangled legacy,” said Mason. “Maryland gave America two of its most-revered national icons, the flag and the national anthem.”
Governor O’Malley today also made several other announcements about the upcoming Maryland bicentennial commemoration. He unveiled the design for a new standard Maryland license plate that will be available Flag Day, June 2010. A new website, www.starspangled200.org, has been launched to be the portal site for information about bicentennial news, history, sites to visit, programs and events, and sources of assistance to Marylanders to plan and implement bicentennial projects.
The Governor also announced the U.S. Navy is planning a series of major naval events in six U.S. and Canadian port cities in 2012 to commemorate the proud and significant role of the Navy during the War. The events will consist of naval vessels, tall ships, and air shows. British, Canadian and other navies of the world are expected to visit Baltimore's Inner Harbor for a weeklong event in June 2012 to mark the 200th anniversary of the U.S. declaration of war against Great Britain and kick off the bicentennial.
About the Commission:
The Commission was established by the Governor under Executive Order and is staffed by the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, Division of Tourism Film and the Arts. The bicentennial period is June 2012 through February 2015. For more information, visit www.warof1812.org.
