HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 96-4706, by Representatives Murray, Chopp and Hatfield

      WHEREAS, It is the policy of the Washington State Legislature to recognize excellence in all fields of endeavor; and

      WHEREAS, Major General Francisco Vicente Aguilera was a man of unusual and outstanding courage and moral resolve; and

      WHEREAS, As the first person of property among his countrymen to free his slaves, numbering more than one thousand, Major General Francisco Vicente Aguilera was a champion for justice in his time; and

      WHEREAS, Major General Francisco Vicente Aguilera was a leader in the fight for Cuba's liberation from Spanish colonialism, appointed the Cuban Republic's first Minister of War and a Commander in Chief of the insurrectionist army, and elected Vice-President, before serving as Ambassador to the United States; and

      WHEREAS, The family of Major General Francisco Vicente Aguilera is commemorating the 175th anniversary of his birth, on June 23, 1821;

      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the state of Washington honor Major General Francisco Vicente Aguilera, a great man who dedicated his life to the struggle for freedom for all his countrymen and inspires us still; and

      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to the family of Major General Francisco Vicente Aguilera.

   I hereby certify this to be a true and correct copy of

   Resolution 4706 adopted by the House of Representatives

                      January 26, 1996.

              ________________________________

               Timothy A. Martin, Chief Clerk