New Bill Designates 'Here Rests in Honored Glory' as the Official National Hymn

This bill is short and sweet: it officially designates the musical composition “Here Rests in Honored Glory,” with words and music by Donald B. Miller, as the national hymn of the United States. If passed, this designation gets codified by adding a new section 307 to Chapter 3 of title 36 of the U.S. Code, which is the part of the law that deals with patriotic observances and national symbols.

What’s the Big Deal with a National Hymn?

Unlike a complex bill that changes your tax bracket or updates infrastructure standards, this legislation is purely symbolic. It’s about creating an official national symbol, much like the designation of the national anthem or the national motto. The bill doesn't change any regulations, create new federal programs, or cost the average taxpayer anything beyond the minor administrative costs of updating the U.S. Code.

For most people, the immediate impact is zero. You won't be required to sing it at work or hear it on the radio more often. But for those involved in official government ceremonies, military observances, or public schools, it provides a clear, designated piece of music to use when a national hymn is called for. This clarifies what is considered the official tune, ending any potential debate over which patriotic song fills that role.

Who Actually Cares About This?

In the grand scheme of things, a national hymn doesn’t affect your commute or your grocery bill. The primary benefit here is to the composer, Donald B. Miller, or his estate, who receive official national recognition for the work. It’s a cultural designation that elevates a specific piece of music to a place of national honor.

On the flip side, the only people who might feel impacted are those who either feel strongly that a different composition should be the national hymn, or those who believe the U.S. doesn't need an official hymn at all. But even for these groups, the change is purely ceremonial. This is the definition of a low-stakes policy change—it’s about official recognition and symbolism, not about changing the rules of the road or the cost of doing business.