[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.J. Res. 105 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]

        H.J.Res.105

                     One Hundred Thirteenth Congress

                                 of the

                        United States of America


                          AT THE SECOND SESSION

           Begun and held at the City of Washington on Friday,
           the third day of January, two thousand and fourteen


                            Joint Resolution


 
  Conferring honorary citizenship of the United States on Bernardo de 
       Galvez y Madrid, Viscount of Galveston and Count of Galvez.

Whereas the United States has conferred honorary citizenship on 7 other 
  occasions during its history, and honorary citizenship is and should 
  remain an extraordinary honor not lightly conferred nor frequently 
  granted;

Whereas Bernardo de Galvez y Madrid, Viscount of Galveston and Count of 
  Galvez, was a hero of the Revolutionary War who risked his life for 
  the freedom of the United States people and provided supplies, 
  intelligence, and strong military support to the war effort;

Whereas Bernardo de Galvez recruited an army of 7,500 men made up of 
  Spanish, French, African-American, Mexican, Cuban, and Anglo-American 
  forces and led the effort of Spain to aid the United States' 
  colonists against Great Britain;

Whereas during the Revolutionary War, Bernardo de Galvez and his troops 
  seized the Port of New Orleans and successfully defeated the British 
  at battles in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Natchez, Mississippi, and 
  Mobile, Alabama;

Whereas Bernardo de Galvez led the successful 2-month Siege of 
  Pensacola, Florida, where his troops captured the capital of British 
  West Florida and left the British with no naval bases in the Gulf of 
  Mexico;

Whereas Bernardo de Galvez was wounded during the Siege of Pensacola, 
  demonstrating bravery that forever endeared him to the United States 
  soldiers;

Whereas Bernardo de Galvez's victories against the British were 
  recognized by George Washington as a deciding factor in the outcome 
  of the Revolutionary War;

Whereas Bernardo de Galvez helped draft the terms of treaty that ended 
  the Revolutionary War;

Whereas the United States Continental Congress declared, on October 31, 
  1778, their gratitude and favorable sentiments to Bernardo de Galvez 
  for his conduct towards the United States;

Whereas after the war, Bernardo de Galvez served as viceroy of New 
  Spain and led the effort to chart the Gulf of Mexico, including 
  Galveston Bay, the largest bay on the Texas coast;

Whereas several geographic locations, including Galveston Bay, 
  Galveston, Texas, Galveston County, Texas, Galvez, Louisiana, and St. 
  Bernard Parish, Louisiana, are named after Bernardo de Galvez;

Whereas the State of Florida has honored Bernardo de Galvez with the 
  designation of Great Floridian; and

Whereas Bernardo de Galvez played an integral role in the Revolutionary 
  War and helped secure the independence of the United States: Now, 
  therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That Bernardo de Galvez y 
Madrid, Viscount of Galveston and Count of Galvez, is proclaimed 
posthumously to be an honorary citizen of the United States.

                               Speaker of the House of Representatives.

                            Vice President of the United States and    
                                               President of the Senate.