[113th Congress Public Law 229]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



[[Page 128 STAT. 2117]]

Public Law 113-229
113th Congress

                            Joint Resolution


 
  Conferring honorary citizenship of the United States on Bernardo de 
          Gaalvez y Madrid, Viscount of Galveston and Count of 
          Gaalvez. <<NOTE: Dec. 16, 2014 -  [H.J. Res. 105]>> 

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 Gaalvez y Madrid, Viscount of Galveston and Count of 
    Gaalvez, 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 Gaalvez 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 Gaalvez 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 Gaalvez 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 Gaalvez was wounded during the Siege of Pensacola, 
    demonstrating bravery that forever endeared him to the United States 
    soldiers;

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

Whereas Bernardo de Gaalvez 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 
    Gaalvez for his conduct towards the United States;

Whereas after the war, Bernardo de Gaalvez 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

[[Page 128 STAT. 2118]]

    St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, are named after Bernardo de Gaalvez;

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

Whereas Bernardo de Gaalvez 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 Gaalvez y 
Madrid, Viscount of Galveston and Count of Gaalvez, is proclaimed 
posthumously to be an honorary citizen of the United States.

    Approved December 16, 2014.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.J. Res. 105:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

HOUSE REPORTS: No. 113-548 (Comm. on the Judiciary).
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 160 (2014):
            July 28, considered and passed House.
            Dec. 4, considered and passed Senate.

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