[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

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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:
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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.