    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 128, 113th Congress, 2nd Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    Public Law 113-229
    113th Congress

    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

    [[Page 2118]]

    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.

    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.