Bill > PR26-0094

Introduced Session

John A. Wilson Building 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 504 Washington, DC 20004 Dear Chairman Mendelson: Enclosed for consideration and adoption by the Council of the District of Columbia is a proposed resolution titled “Installation of Statue of Bernardo de Gálvez Commemorative Work Approval Resolution of 2025”. The proposed resolution approves the installation of a commemorative work in honor of Bernardo de Gálvez, to be located in public space adjacent to the Embassy of Spain. I urge the Council to take prompt and favorable action on the enclosed legislation. Sincerely, Muriel Bowser The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement of the Chief Financial Officer as the fiscal impact statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975, approved October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1- 301.47a). Sec. 5. Effective date. This resolution shall take effect immediately. Government of the District of Columbia Office of the Chief Financial Officer Glen Lee Chief Financial Officer MEMORANDUM TO: The Honorable Phil Mendelson Chairman, Council of the District of Columbia FROM: Glen Lee Chief Financial Officer DATE: June 25, 2024 SUBJECT: Fiscal Impact Statement - Statue of Bernardo de Gálvez: A Friend of Independence Resolution of 2024 REFERENCE: Draft Resolution as provided to the Office of Revenue Analysis on May 15, 2024 Conclusion Funds are sufficient in the proposed fiscal year 2025 through fiscal year 2028 budget and financial plan to implement the resolution. Background The resolution authorizes the installation of a commemorative installation known as “Bernardo de Galvez: A Friend of Independence” on public space controlled by the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), adjacent to the Embassy of Spain at 2375 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. DDOT’s Public Space Committee approved the project at its April 27, 2023 meeting, and the Office of Planning Commemorative Works Committee Action recommended approval of the project on December 15, 2023. Financial Plan Impact Funds are sufficient in the proposed fiscal year 2025 through fiscal year 2028 budget and financial plan to implement the resolution. The Embassy of Spain is funding the installation of the artwork, and it has committed to funding all future maintenance. 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 203, Washington, DC 20004 (202)727-2476 www.cfo.dc.gov GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL Legal Counsel Division MEMORANDUM TO: Tomás Talamante Director Office of Policy and Legislative Affairs FROM: Ben Moskowitz Acting Deputy Attorney General Legal Counsel Division DATE: November 21, 2024 RE: Legal Sufficiency Review of Draft Resolution, the “Statue of Bernardo de Gálvez Commemorative Work Approval Resolution of 2024” (AE-24-631) This is to Certify that the Office of the Attorney General has reviewed the above-referenced legislation and determined that it is legally sufficient. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me at (202) 735-7589. _ Ben Moskowitz 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Suite 409, Washington, D.C. 20004 Phone (202) 735-7589 Email: benjamin.moskowitz1@dc.gov Application for a Commemorative Work on District of Columbia Public Space Washington, D.C. Bernardo de Gálvez: A Friend of Independence Name of Commemorative Work Embassy of Spain in Washington, D.C Location of Commemorative Work Submitted by Spain-USA Foundation Name of Sponsoring Organization Submitted to the District of Columbia Commemorative Works Committee November 2022 Date Application for a Commemorative Work on District of Columbia Public Space Page November 2022 TABLE OF CONTENTS Section I. Sponsoring Organization II. Project Description III. Project Location IV. Project Design V. Community Outreach VI. Project Budget APPENDICES Appendix I: Proof of Sponsor’s 501(c) (3) status Appendix II: Letters from local stakeholders Appendix III: Sample of the sign and exact text of the sign. Appendix IV: Public Law 113-229 113th congress Appendix V: Schematic Plans Page Application for a Commemorative Work on District of Columbia Public Space Page November 2022 I. SPONSORING ORGANIZATION 1. Name or title of Proposed Commemorative Work Bernardo de Gálvez: A Friend of Independence 2. Sponsoring Organization Name of sponsoring organization: Spain-USA Foundation. Address of sponsoring organization: 2801 16th Street NW, Washington DC Contact Person: Teodoro Sacristán Llorente Telephone: 202 728 2352 Fax: E-mail: emb.washington@maec.es teodoro.sacristan@maec.es Tax Status of Principal Sponsor: The Spain-USA Foundation is an exempt organization under 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Please refer to Appendix I for Proof of Sponsor’s 501(c) (3) Status 3. Description of Sponsoring Organization Give a brief description/mission of the principal sponsoring organization and its relationship to the proposed commemorative work. (i.e. history, when founded, other projects sponsored, etc). A sponsor must be, “a Federal or District agency, or an individual, group, or organization that is described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code” (Commemorative Works Act, Sec. 411. Definitions). Established in 1999, the Spain-USA Foundation (SUSAF), a District of Columbia non-profit foundation, seeks to promote, support and develop a broad array of Spanish cultural, scientific and educational activities in the United States with the goal of furthering greater cooperation and dialogue between Spain and the United States. What the SUSAF would like to achieve with the commemorative work is to make known the decisive role played by Bernardo de Gálvez in the American Independence, especially to Americans and Spaniards. Page Application for a Commemorative Work on District of Columbia Public Space Page November 2022 II. PROJECT DESCRIPTION 4. Summary of Proposed Commemorative Work Provide a brief project summary (describe the type of commemorative work, it’s location, and goals of the project). The statue of Bernardo de Gálvez was installed in June 2019. Unfortunately, no permit was requested for installation. Once installed, the Embassy of Spain requested authorization for the statue and also for the placement of an information panel about the figure of Bernardo de Gálvez. The bronze statue of Bernardo de Gálvez is placed at the Embassy of Spain, located at 2375 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., at the entrance to the Chancellery, located on 24th Street, N.W. The new project involves pulls the fence and landscape away from the corner to create a small paved and seating area with the statue on a new concrete base. The objective of this commemorative work is to make the important role played by Bernardo de Gálvez in American Independence known to all, particularly to Americans and Spaniards. 5. Subject of Commemorative Work Provide detailed information about the proposed work and why the person or event should be commemorated on District of Columbia (DC) public space. The subject of the commemorative work should be of long-term historic importance and shall generally not be any living person, any deceased person who has been deceased less than 10 years, or any event that has occurred within 10 years of the application. If the proposed commemorative work does NOT meet these standards, a detailed explanation should be provided as to why the person or event should be commemorated despite the standard. The statue honors Bernardo de Gálvez (1746-1786) who was a hero of the Revolutionary War who risked his life for the freedom of the United States people and provided supplies, intelligence, and strong military support to the war effort. In recognition of this vital aid, Bernardo de Gálvez was conferred honorary U.S. citizenship in 2014. (Public Law 113-229 113th Congress). Please refer to Appendix IV for copy of Public Law 113-229. Page Application for a Commemorative Work on District of Columbia Public Space Page November 2022 6. Relationship of Commemorative Work to District of Columbia History and Culture Provide detailed information on how the subject of the proposed commemorative work relates to DC culture or history. Commemorative works on public space proposed for commemoration of local individuals, groups, events, or other significant elements of DC culture or history generally should be given priority over other commemorative works. If the proposed commemorative work does NOT meet these standards, a detailed explanation should be provided as to why the person or event should be commemorated despite the standard. During the American Revolution, Bernardo de Gálvez was a hero of the Revolutionary War who risked his life for the freedom of the United States. As can be read in Public Law 113-229 113th Congresses (Appendix IV) “The United States Continental Congress declared, on October 31, 1778, their gratitude and favorable sentiments to Bernardo de Gálvez for his conduct towards the United States.” “

Phil Mendelson (D)*, 

Notice of Intent to Act on PR26-0094 Published in the DC Register (on 03/07/2025)

Official Document