[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 171 Introduced in House (IH)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 171

    Honoring the Marquis de Lafayette on the occasion of the 250th 
                       anniversary of his birth.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 15, 2007

Mr. Skelton (for himself, Mr. Oberstar, Mr. Boozman, Mr. Carnahan, Mr. 
   Cohen, Mr. Gillmor, Mr. Jefferson, Mr. McCrery, Mr. McGovern, Mr. 
Petri, Mr. Snyder, and Ms. Watson) submitted the following resolution; 
         which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
    Honoring the Marquis de Lafayette on the occasion of the 250th 
                       anniversary of his birth.

Whereas Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert Du Motier, commonly known as the 
        Marquis de Lafayette, was born on September 6, 1757, and occupies a 
        considerable place in the history of the United States;
Whereas Lafayette was a man of considerable military skill who expressed 
        sympathy for American revolutionary fighters, decided to aid colonists 
        in their struggle for independence, and was voted by Congress the rank 
        and commission of major general in the Continental Army;
Whereas Lafayette's military service was invaluable to General George Washington 
        during many Revolutionary War battles, earning him the title of ``the 
        soldier's friend'';
Whereas Lafayette's strategic thinking, military skill, and dedication as a 
        general officer serve as a model for present day American military 
        officers;
Whereas Congress appropriated awards and honors in honor of Lafayette's service 
        to the American people, including the commissioning of a portrait that 
        hangs in the House Chamber;
Whereas because of Lafayette's strong belief in freedom, he advocated the 
        abolition of slavery in the Americas, favored equal legal rights for 
        religious minorities in France, and became a prominent figure in the 
        French Revolution;
Whereas, in 1824, at the invitation of President Monroe, Lafayette embarked upon 
        a triumphant, year-long tour of all 25 States of the then-United States, 
        during which he became the first foreign dignitary to address a joint 
        session of Congress and visited many Masonic bodies;
Whereas because of America's affection for Lafayette, many United States cities, 
        towns, and counties have been named for him;
Whereas Lafayette symbolizes the assistance America received from Europe in the 
        struggle for independence;
Whereas when the United States aided France during the world wars of 1917-1918 
        and 1941-1945, it was because of shared values of democracy and human 
        rights and because of the deep and long lasting friendship rooted in 
        Lafayette's service to the United States;
Whereas the bond between the United States and France continues to this day; and
Whereas the long-standing military alliance between the United States and France 
        is a cornerstone of NATO and a critical force in our global 
        partnerships. Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved,  That the House of Representatives--
            (1) honors Marquis de Lafayette on the 250th anniversary of 
        his birth; and
            (2) urges the cadets of the United States military 
        academies and military officers participating in various 
        professional military education courses to study Lafayette's 
        impact on the creation of the United States and on the United 
        States military.
                                 <all>