Bill Text: TX HR855 | 2011-2012 | 82nd Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commemorating the 150th anniversary of the unification of the Republic of Italy and posthumously recognizing Giuseppe Garibaldi as an honorary Texan.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)
Status: (Passed) 2011-04-05 - Reported enrolled [HR855 Detail]
Download: Texas-2011-HR855-Enrolled.html
| H.R. No. 855 | ||
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| WHEREAS, On March 17, 2011, the Republic of Italy is marking | ||
| the 150th anniversary of its unification, and this occasion | ||
| presents an ideal opportunity to celebrate the historic ties | ||
| between Italy and the United States and to recognize the remarkable | ||
| contributions of Giuseppe Garibaldi, an international hero of | ||
| liberation; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Born in Nice on July 4, 1807, while the city was | ||
| under French control, Mr. Garibaldi became a merchant marine | ||
| captain before joining Giovane Italia, or Young Italy, to free the | ||
| Northern Italian provinces from Austrian domination and create a | ||
| republican government; following a failed insurrection in 1834, he | ||
| made his way to South America, where he formed the Italian Legion | ||
| with other exiles and republicans; they fought Brazilian and | ||
| Argentinean imperialism, and Mr. Garibaldi's military victories | ||
| assured the independence of Uruguay and earned him acclaim far and | ||
| wide; he nobly declined the offer of land grants from the president | ||
| of Uruguay, stating that the "Italian legionnaires hold firmly to | ||
| the belief that it is their duty as free men to fight for freedom | ||
| wherever tyranny exists"; and | ||
| WHEREAS, The "Hero of Two Worlds," as he became known, | ||
| returned to Italy to defend the short-lived First Roman Republic, | ||
| but after its fall, Mr. Garibaldi escaped to the United States; | ||
| during a brief period as a Staten Island resident, he applied for | ||
| U.S. citizenship, only to rejoin the Italian Risorgimento, or | ||
| Resurgence, in 1854; he achieved decisive victories over foreign | ||
| imperial dynasties and on March 17, 1861, their occupation was | ||
| ended; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Italy's triumph of political self-determination | ||
| inspired Americans, and Mr. Garibaldi's military genius prompted | ||
| the Lincoln administration to approach him with the offer of a Union | ||
| Army command early in the Civil War, but negotiations foundered; he | ||
| continued to participate in the struggle for freedom in Europe and | ||
| died at his home on the Italian island of Caprera on June 2, 1882; | ||
| and | ||
| WHEREAS, Through the years, Italy and the United States have | ||
| forged innumerable bonds through shared history, culture, and | ||
| intellectual endeavors; moreover, Italian Americans are one of our | ||
| nation's largest ethnic groups, numbering nearly 25 million, | ||
| according to the National Italian American Foundation, and many | ||
| Italian Americans make their home in the Lone Star State; Texans of | ||
| Italian descent have made vital contributions to their communities | ||
| and their country, and Giuseppe Garibaldi, Italy's national hero, | ||
| is also celebrated as a defender of liberty, much like those who | ||
| gave their lives at the Alamo; now, therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas | ||
| Legislature hereby commemorate the 150th anniversary of the | ||
| unification of the Republic of Italy and posthumously recognize | ||
| Giuseppe Garibaldi as an honorary Texan. | ||
| Fletcher | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Speaker of the House | ||
| I certify that H.R. No. 855 was adopted by the House on March | ||
| 31, 2011, by a non-record vote. | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Chief Clerk of the House | ||
