[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S.J. Res. 13 Referred in House (RFH)]

  1st Session
S. J. RES. 13


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                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           December 19, 2001

               Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

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                            JOINT RESOLUTION


 
Conferring honorary citizenship of the United States on Paul Yves Roch 
       Gilbert du Motier, also known as the Marquis de Lafayette.

Whereas the United States has conferred honorary citizenship on four other 
        occasions in more than 200 years of its independence, and honorary 
        citizenship is and should remain an extraordinary honor not lightly 
        conferred nor frequently granted;
Whereas Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, also known as the Marquis de Lafayette 
        or General Lafayette, voluntarily put forth his own money and risked his 
        life for the freedom of Americans;
Whereas the Marquis de Lafayette, by an Act of Congress, was voted to the rank 
        of Major General;
Whereas, during the Revolutionary War, General Lafayette was wounded at the 
        Battle of Brandywine, demonstrating bravery that forever endeared him to 
        the American soldiers;
Whereas the Marquis de Lafayette secured the help of France to aid the United 
        States' colonists against Great Britain;
Whereas the Marquis de Lafayette was conferred the honor of honorary citizenship 
        by the Commonwealth of Virginia and the State of Maryland;
Whereas the Marquis de Lafayette was the first foreign dignitary to address 
        Congress, an honor which was accorded to him upon his return to the 
        United States in 1824;
Whereas, upon his death, both the House of Representatives and the Senate draped 
        their chambers in black as a demonstration of respect and gratitude for 
        his contribution to the independence of the United States;
Whereas an American flag has flown over his grave in France since his death and 
        has not been removed, even while France was occupied by Nazi Germany 
        during World War II; and
Whereas the Marquis de Lafayette gave aid to the United States in her time of 
        need and is forever a symbol of freedom: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du 
Motier, also known as the Marquis de Lafayette, is proclaimed to be an 
honorary citizen of the United States of America.

            Passed the Senate December 18, 2001.

            Attest:

                                                  JERI THOMSON,

                                                             Secretary.