Ceremony commemorates 200th anniversary of Lafayette's address to Congress

Dec. 10 (UPI) -- House Speaker Mike Johnson and minority leader Hakeem Jeffries hosted a ceremony Tuesday at the U.S. Capitol to mark the 200th anniversary of the Marquis de Lafayette's address to Congress.

"On this day, exactly 200 years ago, the Marquis de Lafayette entered this great half of the House," Johnson, R-La., told guests in Statuary Hall. "And Gen. Lafayette's visit, which was just one stop on his long tour of the country, reminded Americans that we are free and equal by our very nature."

Johnson said Lafayette risked crossing the Atlantic from France and traveling to the United States to speak before the House chamber on Dec. 10, 1824, for "the cause of liberty for a foreign people."

"Only two men, though not American, contributed so much to the cause of national liberty that they stand fixed in honor in these hallowed halls of Republican government: Winston Churchill, who helped save the country, and Lafayette, who helped to create it," Johnson added.

Jeffries, D-N.Y., called Lafayette "indispensable in the delivery of freedom to the 13 colonies."

"He was a true hero of two worlds," Jeffries said, adding that Lafayette returned to America in advance of the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

"Lafayette was a passionate defender of vulnerable people, an ardent abolitionist and a devoted friend and ally to the United States of America."

"What hasn't changed?" Jeffries queried. "We continue as charged by the framers. The spirit of Lafayette lives on."

Colonial Williamsburg Foundation actor Mark Schneider, who was dressed as Gen. Lafayette, then re-enacted part of the speech "to the 18th Congress."

"It is truly a pleasure, an honor to see all of you here on this simply magnificent day. This day of celebration. This 10th day of December of the year 1824."