HM King Juan Carlos…

HM King Juan Carlos…

Photo credit: Janet Donovan

“Today we present this award to Senator Bob Menendez, a truly inspiring leader all through his political career and a good friend of Spain indeed,” said His Majesty King Juan Carlos at the residence of Ambassador Ramon Gil-Casares. “His name was one of the first Spanish names in the Senate and he has always been proud of his Spanish historical and cultural legacy in the United States.”

“As the Chairman of the US-Spain Council,” he added, “he has devoted an incredible energy to fostering relations between our countries and it is indeed very telling that one of his last initiatives as Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee has been to hang the portrait of Bernardo de Gálvez in the Senate, just a few days before Congress declared him an honorary citizen of the United States.”

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Unveiling of the portrait of Bernardo de Galvez in the Capitol in December 2014

Sen. Bob Menendez with The Ambassador of Spain, Ramon Gil-Casares      Photo credit: Courtesy of the Office of Senator Menendez

For those of us that didn’t take History of the Revolutionary War #101, Senator Menendez explained: “I think everyone here knows the story of Bernardo de Gálvez. He raised an army in New Orleans, drove the British out of the Gulf of Mexico, captured five British forts below the Mississippi Valley, eventually taking Mobile, Pensacola. As a young governor of the Spanish colony of Louisiana, he sent money, rifles, ammunitions, blankets, medicine, and other supplies to the armies of General George Washington and George Rogers Clark. And his victories against the British were rightfully recognized by George Washington as a deciding factor in the outcome of the Revolutionary War. He even drafted the terms of the treaty that ended the Revolutionary War. In fact, behind the State Department of the United States in Washington is a statue honoring Bernardo de Gálvez. The day the statue was dedicated, it was His Majesty who said ‘May the statue of Bernardo de Gálvez serve as a reminder that Spain offered the blood of her soldiers for the cause of American independence.'”

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“Just a few months ago, Congress recognized de Gálvez for his contributions to American independence with honorary American citizenship. He joined us in the pantheon of honorary citizens: Lafayette, Mother Teresa, Winston Churchill, among others who have been given that honor by virtue of the profound impact they had on American history, and on the idea and the ideal that is the essence of America.  So in accepting this award from His Majesty, King Juan Carlos of the people of Spain, I am honored to have my name mentioned alongside with Bernardo de Gálvez, and in solidarity with people of both our nations, and the long history of the US-Spain relationship. “

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Senator Menendez (4th from left) joins HM King Juan Carlos (3rd from left)

“You are an historical figure,” Menendez said to King Juan Carlos in accepting the honor, “and what you did for your country in moving it towards democracy, and preserving that democracy, will be remembered for all time. So it’s a particular honor to receive it from Your Majesty. Let me also thank Ambassador Gil-Casares for his warm hospitality and opening up the residence on this very special occasion, and to the Chairman for his leadership. And to my dear friend Juan Rodríguez Inciarte, who co-chaired with me so many years together when I first began this endeavor. He is a dear friend and a great advocate for the US-Spain relationship. And Madam Treasurer, it’s great to see you here. I appreciate every time I look at my dollar bill that your signature is on it.”

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Madame Treasurer Rosa Gumataotao Rios

“So, Your Majesty, let me close by recognizing you once again. In 1981, at the State Dinner honoring you, President Reagan said ‘Over the centuries, Spain has contributed so much. In America, we recognize that even with the proper leadership, a nation must have great people to maintain liberty.’ So in accepting the Bernardo de Gálvez Award from Your Majesty of the people of Spain, may they always live in peace and freedom that benefits a great people.”

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  H.M. King Juan Carlos greets former US Chief of Protocol Lucky Roosevelt

King Juan Carlos moved graciously and informally amongst the intimate group, greeting many by name.

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Marie Royce, Marta Casals and Governor of Puerto Rico Luis Fortuño

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