III 

115TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 497 

Recognizing the cultural and historical significance of the Cinco de Mayo 

holiday. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

APRIL 26, 2018 

Mr. MENENDEZ (for himself, Mr. CORNYN, Mr. BENNET, Ms. CORTEZ

MASTO, Mr. CRUZ, Mr. DURBIN, Mr. HEINRICH, Ms. HIRONO, Mrs. 

MURRAY, Mr. SCHUMER, Ms. SMITH, Mr. UDALL, and Mr. HELLER) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the cultural and historical significance of the 

Cinco de Mayo holiday. 

Whereas May 5, or ‘‘Cinco de Mayo’’ in Spanish, is celebrated each year as a date of importance by Mexican and 

Mexican-American communities; 

Whereas the Cinco de Mayo holiday commemorates May 5, 

1862, the date on which Mexicans defeated the French 

at the Battle of Puebla, one of the many battles that the 

Mexican people won in their long and brave fight for 

independence, freedom, and democracy; 

Whereas the victory of Mexico over France at Puebla represented a historic triumph for the Mexican government 


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•SRES 497 ATS 

during the Franco-Mexican war fought between 1861 and 

1867 and bolstered the resistance movement; 

Whereas the success of Mexico at the Battle of Puebla reinvigorated the spirits of the Mexican people and provided 

a renewed sense of unity and strength; 

Whereas the French army, which had not experienced defeat 

against any of the finest troops of Europe in more than 

half a century, sustained a disastrous loss at the hands 

of an outnumbered and ill-equipped, but highly spirited 

and courageous, Mexican army; 

Whereas the courageous spirit that Mexican General Ignacio 

Zaragoza and his men displayed during that historic battle can never be forgotten; 

Whereas, in a larger sense, Cinco de Mayo symbolizes the 

right of a free people to self-determination, just as Benito 

Juarez, the president of Mexico during the Battle of 

Puebla, once said, ‘‘El respeto al derecho ajeno es la 

paz’’, meaning ‘‘respect for the rights of others is peace’’; 

Whereas the sacrifice of Mexican fighters was instrumental in 

keeping Mexico from falling under European domination 

while, in the United States, the Union Army battled Confederate forces in the Civil War; 

Whereas Cinco de Mayo serves as a reminder that the foundation of the United States was built by people from 

many countries and diverse cultures who were willing to 

fight and die for freedom; 

Whereas Cinco de Mayo also serves as a reminder of the close 

ties between the people of Mexico and the people of the 

United States; 


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•SRES 497 ATS 

Whereas Cinco de Mayo encourages the celebration of a legacy of strong leaders and a sense of vibrancy in communities; and 

Whereas Cinco de Mayo serves as a reminder to provide more 

opportunity for future generations: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) recognizes the historic struggle of the people 

3 of Mexico for independence and freedom, which 

4 Cinco de Mayo commemorates; and 

5 (2) encourages the people of the United States 

6 to observe Cinco de Mayo with appropriate cere7 monies and activities. 

Æ 


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