TITLE: Paying tribute to the Spanish military leader and American Revolutionary War hero Bernardo de Gálvez.

SUMMARY: Paying tribute to the Spanish military leader and American Revolutionary War hero Bernardo de Gálvez.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Spanish military and political leader Bernardo de G lvez fought bravely in behalf of American independence during the American Revolutionary War; and WHEREAS, Part of a prominent military family in Spain, Bernardo Vicente Apolinar de G lvez yMadrid was born in Macharaviaya in 1746 and joined the Spanish military as a teenager, beginning his career as a lieutenant in a war with Portugal; he made his first trip to the Americas as part of an inspection tour of the Viceroyalty of New Spain, and in 1769 he was commissioned to go to the northern frontier of New Spain, where he received a promotion to commandant of arms for Nueva Vizcaya and Sonora; after completing various assignments in Europe, he returned to New Spain as a member of the Louisiana Regiment in 1776; and WHEREAS, Named the governor of Louisiana the following year, Mr. G lvez made vital contributions to the Revolutionary War effort; he initially worked to ship gunpowder, muskets, uniforms, medicine, and other supplies to American colonial rebels, and following Spain's declaration of war on Great Britain, he conducted a fierce campaign against the British along the Mississippi River and Gulf Coast; he also negotiated with the Texas governor to supply beef for the troops in the first cattle drives out of Texas; over the next few years, he defeated the British in battles at Bayou Manchac, Baton Rouge, Natchez, Mobile, and the Bahamas, and he commanded a two-month siege on Fort George in Pensacola, which ended with the British surrendering their West Florida capital; after the war, he went on to serve as governor of Cuba and as viceroy of New Spain; he died in 1786; and WHEREAS, In recognition of his achievements, Mr. G lvez received commendation from the Continental Congress and letters of appreciation from Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson; the Bay of Galveston was also named in his honor, and the U.S. Congress conferred honorary citizenship on him in 2014; moreover, his hometown of Macharaviaya recognizes him with its annual Fourth of July celebration, which features a parade and a reenactment of his capture of Fort George in Pensacola; and WHEREAS, Bernardo de G lvez played a pivotal role in the American Revolutionary War, and his contributions earned the lasting admiration and appreciation of all citizens; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life and legacy of Bernardo de G lvez. Raymond Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 506 was adopted by the House on March 16, 2023, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House