IV 

110TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 171 

Honoring the Marquis de Lafayette on the occasion of the 250th anniversary 

of his birth. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

FEBRUARY 15, 2007 

Mr. SKELTON (for himself, Mr. OBERSTAR, Mr. BOOZMAN, Mr. CARNAHAN, 

Mr. COHEN, Mr. GILLMOR, Mr. JEFFERSON, Mr. MCCRERY, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. PETRI, Mr. SNYDER, and Ms. WATSON) submitted the following 

resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services 

RESOLUTION 

Honoring the Marquis de Lafayette on the occasion of the 

250th anniversary of his birth. 

Whereas Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert Du Motier, 

commonly known as the Marquis de Lafayette, was born 

on September 6, 1757, and occupies a considerable place 

in the history of the United States; 

Whereas Lafayette was a man of considerable military skill 

who expressed sympathy for American revolutionary 

fighters, decided to aid colonists in their struggle for 

independence, and was voted by Congress the rank and 

commission of major general in the Continental Army; 


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•HRES 171 IH 

Whereas Lafayette’s military service was invaluable to General George Washington during many Revolutionary War 

battles, earning him the title of ‘‘the soldier’s friend’’; 

Whereas Lafayette’s strategic thinking, military skill, and 

dedication as a general officer serve as a model for 

present day American military officers; 

Whereas Congress appropriated awards and honors in honor 

of Lafayette’s service to the American people, including 

the commissioning of a portrait that hangs in the House 

Chamber; 

Whereas because of Lafayette’s strong belief in freedom, he 

advocated the abolition of slavery in the Americas, favored equal legal rights for religious minorities in France, 

and became a prominent figure in the French Revolution; 

Whereas, in 1824, at the invitation of President Monroe, Lafayette embarked upon a triumphant, year-long tour of 

all 25 States of the then-United States, during which he 

became the first foreign dignitary to address a joint session of Congress and visited many Masonic bodies; 

Whereas because of America’s affection for Lafayette, many 

United States cities, towns, and counties have been 

named for him; 

Whereas Lafayette symbolizes the assistance America received from Europe in the struggle for independence; 

Whereas when the United States aided France during the 

world wars of 1917–1918 and 1941–1945, it was because 

of shared values of democracy and human rights and because of the deep and long lasting friendship rooted in 

Lafayette’s service to the United States; 

Whereas the bond between the United States and France 

continues to this day; and 


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•HRES 171 IH 

Whereas the long-standing military alliance between the 

United States and France is a cornerstone of NATO and 

a critical force in our global partnerships. Now, therefore, 

be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) honors Marquis de Lafayette on the 250th 

3 anniversary of his birth; and 

4 (2) urges the cadets of the United States mili5 tary academies and military officers participating in 

6 various professional military education courses to 

7 study Lafayette’s impact on the creation of the 

8 United States and on the United States military. 

Æ 


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