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2003 SESSION

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HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 727 Commemorating the Treaties of Friendship, Commerce and Alliance between France and the United States.

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 24, 2003 Agreed to by the Senate, February 13, 2003

WHEREAS, on February 6, 1778, at the Hotel de Coislin in Paris, Conrad Gerard, representing King Louis XVI of France, and Benjamin Franklin, Silas Deane, and Arthur Lee, representing the United States, signed the Treaties of Friendship, Commerce and Alliance; and

WHEREAS, by this act France became the first nation to recognize the independence of the United States of America; and

WHEREAS, for the remaining years of the American Revolution, France became the key ally of the United States in its battle for independence from England, led by such historical figures as Lafayette and Rochambeau; and

WHEREAS, in February 2003, a distinguished group, including the United States Ambassador to France, will commemorate the 225th anniversary of the signing of the Treaties of Friendship, Commerce and Alliance with a series of events in Paris; and

WHEREAS, the commemorative activities, organized by the French State Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, include a reception at the Ambassador's residence, a parade on February 6th (Alliance Day), and receptions at the Hotel des Invalides and the Palais de Versailles; and

WHEREAS, it is appropriate that Americans recognize the importance of the Treaties of Friendship, Commerce and Alliance to the success of the American Revolution; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commemorate the 225th anniversary of the signing of the Treaties of Friendship, Commerce and Alliance between France and the United States; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Hélie de Noailles, president of the French State Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, as an expression of the General Assembly's appreciation of the importance of the longstanding friendship between France and the United States.