119-hres681

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 681 Introduced in House

    (IH) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
H. RES. 681

Commemorating the service of General Lafayette to the United States on 
 the bicentennial of his farewell tour.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 September 8, 2025

 Mr. Wittman (for himself, Mr. Keating, Mr. Wilson of South Carolina, 
Ms. Titus, and Mr. Latta) submitted the following resolution; which was 
 referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

 RESOLUTION

Commemorating the service of General Lafayette to the United States on 
 the bicentennial of his farewell tour.

Whereas, at just 19 years old, Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier de 
 Lafayette, the Marquis de Lafayette, volunteered to fight for American 
 independence and commissioned and equipped his own expedition to join 
 the Continental Army before France formally allied with the Colonies;
Whereas Lafayette was commissioned as a major general in the Continental Army, 
 served without compensation, earned the trust and friendship of George 
 Washington, and was one of the youngest generals in American history;
Whereas Lafayette wintered in Valley Forge with George Washington and fought 
 with distinction at many key battles, including Brandywine, where he was 
 wounded yet organized a successful retreat, Barren Hill, where he 
 demonstrated tactical brilliance and courage;
Whereas Lafayette used his own fortune to provide money, uniforms, and supplies 
 for the Continental Army, thereby alleviating shortages and supporting 
 the troops during times of dire need;
Whereas Lafayette returned to France on temporary leave during the War and 
 played a pivotal diplomatic role in persuading King Louis XVI to send 
 critical troops, ships, and financial aid, which turned the tide of the 
 war in America's favor;
Whereas Lafayette commanded American troops in Virginia, harassing British 
 forces and helping to trap Cornwallis at Yorktown, directly contributing 
 to the decisive surrender at Yorktown on October 19, 1781;
Whereas his efforts forged a lasting alliance between France and the United 
 States, symbolized by the French military intervention and financial 
 support that proved crucial to American victory, and the friendship that 
 remains strong today, as France is the oldest and one of the closest 
 allies of the United States;
Whereas, upon the ratification of the United States Constitution in 1788, 
 Lafayette was recognized as a natural-born citizen of the United States, 
 due to an earlier act by Maryland's legislature that made him and his 
 male heirs ``natural born citizens'' of the State;
Whereas Lafayette championed the ideals of liberty, advocated for the abolition 
 of slavery in America and France, and co-authored the Declaration of the 
 Rights of Man during the French Revolution;
Whereas Lafayette was a lifetime abolitionist and an advocate for women's 
 rights, religious tolerance, and freedom of the press;
Whereas Lafayette was invited by Congress and President James Monroe to return 
 to America as an official ``Guest of the Nation'', and the ensuing 
 farewell tour cemented his status as a beloved national hero;
Whereas, from August 1824 to September 1825, Lafayette traveled over 6,000 
 miles, visited all 24 States that were in the Union at the time, and 
 nearly half of the citizens of the United States saw Lafayette during 
 his farewell tour;
Whereas, on December 10, 1824, Lafayette became the first foreign dignitary to 
 address the United States Congress;
Whereas, on September 6, 1825, on Lafayette's 68th birthday, he was hosted by 
 President John Quincy Adams for a state dinner at the White House, his 
 last visit to the Executive Residence;
Whereas Lafayette's unwavering commitment to American independence, democracy, 
 and human rights has left an indelible mark on the Nation's identity, 
 earning him enduring gratitude and the title ``Hero of Two Worlds'';
Whereas a portrait of Lafayette, given to the House of Representatives, was 
 first displayed in 1825 and now hangs in the House Chamber opposite the 
 portrait of George Washington; and
Whereas the American Friends of Lafayette organized the Lafayette Farewell Tour 
 Bicentennial from August 2024-September 2025, a 13-month, 24-State, 350 
 event commemoration to educate all Americans about Lafayette's 
 contributions to the country's founding, his lifetime passion for human 
 rights, and the importance of the Franco-American Alliance: Now, 
 therefore, be it
 Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

    (1) recognizes the invaluable service of Lafayette to the 
 independence and ideals of the United States;

    (2) expresses gratitude for Lafayette's sacrifice in 
 fighting during the American Revolution; and

    (3) acknowledges Lafayette on the bicentennial of his 
 farewell tour to our Nation.
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