[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 176 (Tuesday, December 18, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S13642-S13643]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORARY CITIZENSHIP FOR PAUL YVES ROCH GILBERT DU MOTIER

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 286, S.J. Res. 13.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will state the joint resolution by 
title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A joint resolution (S.J. Res. 13) conferring honorary 
     citizenship of the United States on Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du 
     Motier, also known as the Marquis de Lafayette.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the joint 
resolution.
  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I am pleased to cosponsor this resolution 
to grant honorary citizenship to the Marquis de Lafayette.
  Aside from being a hero of the American Revolution, the Marquis de 
Lafayette is known for the grand tour he took of the new Republic in 
the 1820's. During his visit to Vermont in 1825, a town was renamed as 
Fayetteville until it was changed again to Newfane in 1882.
  He also laid the cornerstone of the Old Mill, a historic building on 
the University of Vermont's campus. The school now honors his memory 
with a statue on campus.
  It is not inappropriate, at a time when we are engaged in a struggle 
against international terrorism, we recall that even in our infancy, 
this country has always had friends and allies from other parts of the 
world. After two hundred years, the world has gotten smaller and our 
international allies and coalition partners are essential to our long 
term success in the difficult times ahead. We should never forget this 
nation's friends.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the joint 
resolution

[[Page S13643]]

be read the third time, and passed, the preamble be agreed to, the 
motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements 
relating thereto be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The joint resolution (S.J. Res. 13) was read the third time and 
passed.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The joint resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S.J. Res. 13

       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.

     

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