Dec
Spanish military hero Bernardo de Galvez, who died in 1786, has become a U.S. honorary citizen
Spanish military hero Bernardo de Galvez, who died in 1786, has become a U.S. honorary citizen after the Senate voted to recognize his deeds during America's independence struggle.
Last Thursday, the Senate voted to grant the Spanish soldier and politician citizenship for his contribution, on behalf of Spain, to the War of Independence. The House of Representatives passed the bill in July and sent it up to Senate. The honor will be official once President Barack Obama adds his signature.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Miller and Sen. Marco Rubio, both Republicans from Florida, says De Galvez "was a Revolutionary War hero who risked his life for the freedom of the people of the United States."
De Galvez, born in Macharaviaya, a mountain village in the province of Malaga, in 1746, had "an integral role in our Revolutionary War" providing "strong military support" to the fight of the 13 original colonies against Great Britain, the bill says.
On December 9th, in a ceremony at the Capitol, a portrait of Bernardo de Galvez was unveiled with the presence of the Ambassador of Spain, Ramón Gil Casares and the Defense Attaché BG Angel Valcarcel. The Spanish Army joint to this celebration with the presence of Lt Gen. Rafael Comas, Commander of the NATO Rapid Deployable Corps Spain located in Valencia, Spain
The U.S. founding fathers approved 231 years ago the placement of a De Galvez portrait next to those of figures such as Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, but the resolution was never carried out.
The hanging of the portrait, painted by Carlos Monserrate, fulfills the resolution passed by the U.S. Congress on May 9, 1783.