IV

107TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. CON. RES. 398

Recognizing the historical significance of the Mexican holiday of Cinco de

Mayo.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

MAY 8, 2002

Mr. BACA (for himself, Mr. ORTIZ, Mr. SERRANO, Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA ́, and

Mr. HINOJOSA) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was

referred to the Committee on International Relations

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Recognizing the historical significance of the Mexican holiday

of Cinco de Mayo.

Whereas May 5, or Cinco de Mayo in Spanish, is celebrated

as a date of great importance by the Mexican and Mexican-American communities;

Whereas since May 5, 1862, this date has become one of

Mexico’s most celebrated national holidays and is celebrated annually by almost all Mexicans and MexicanAmericans, north and south of the United States-Mexican

border;

Whereas the Battle of Puebla was but one of the many battles that these courageous people had to win in their long

and brave struggle for independence and freedom;
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Whereas the French general, confident that his battle-seasoned troops were far superior to the almost amateuristic

Mexican forces, probably expected little or no opposition

from the Mexican army;

Whereas however on that historic day the French army,

which had not tasted defeat in half a century against Europe’s finest troops, suffered a disastrous loss at the

hands of an outnumbered, ill-equipped, and ragged, but

highly spirited and courageous Mexican force;

Whereas Napoleon III of France was not only planning to

build an empire for himself in Mexico, but was actually

looking ahead to then subsequently aiding the Southern

States in their fight against the North in the American

Civil War in order to procure the South’s cotton, which

was much needed by France;

Whereas after three bloody assaults upon Puebla, in which

over a thousand gallant Frenchmen lost their lives, the

once handsomely uniformed French troops were finally

defeated and driven back by the outnumbered Mexican

troops;

Whereas the courageous and heroic spirit that Mexican General Zaragoza and his men displayed during this historic

battle can never be forgotten;

Whereas the Battle of Cinco de Mayo, in which many brave

Mexicans willingly gave their lives for the cause of justice

and freedom, was instrumental in keeping Mexico from

falling under European domination at that time;

Whereas Cinco de Mayo is not only the commemoration of

the rout of the French troops at the town of Puebla in

Mexico, but also a celebration of the virtues of individual

courage and patriotism of all Mexicans and Mexican-
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•HCON 398 IH

Americans who have fought for freedom and independence against foreign aggressors;

Whereas Cinco de Mayo serves as a reminder that the foundation of this Nation is built by people from many nations and diverse cultures who are willing to fight and die

for freedom;

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

ties, spiritual as well as economic, that bind the people

of Mexico and the people of the United States, and especially the southwestern States, the home of millions of

Mexicans and Mexican-Americans;

Whereas in the larger sense, Cinco de Mayo symbolizes the

right of a free people to self-determination—just as Benito Juarez once said, ‘‘El respeto al derecho ajeno es la

paz’’ (‘‘The respect of other people’s rights is peace’’);

and

Whereas many people celebrate during the entire week in

which Cinco de Mayo falls: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That the Congress recognizes the historical

3 struggle of the Mexican people and requests that the

4 President issue a proclamation recognizing that struggle

5 and calling upon the people of the United States to ob6 serve it with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

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