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[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 167 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

112th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 167

Recognizing the historical significance of the Mexican holiday of Cinco 
                                de Mayo.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 5, 2011

Mr. Menendez (for himself, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Reid, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Udall 
of Colorado, and Mr. Bennet) submitted the following resolution; which 
                      was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
Recognizing the historical significance of the Mexican holiday of Cinco 
                                de Mayo.

Whereas May 5, or ``Cinco de Mayo'' in Spanish, is celebrated each year as a 
        date of great importance by the Mexican and Mexican-American 
        communities;
Whereas the Cinco de Mayo holiday commemorates May 5, 1862, the date on which 
        the Battle of Puebla was fought by Mexicans who were struggling for 
        their independence and freedom;
Whereas Cinco de Mayo has become one of the most famous Mexican national 
        holidays and is celebrated annually by nearly all Mexicans and Mexican-
        Americans, north and south of the United States-Mexico border;
Whereas the Battle of Puebla was but one of the many battles that the courageous 
        Mexican people won in their long and brave struggle for independence and 
        freedom;
Whereas the French, confident that their battle-seasoned troops were far 
        superior to the almost amateurish Mexican forces, expected little or no 
        opposition from the Mexican army;
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, ill-equipped, and 
        ragged, but highly spirited and courageous, Mexican force;
Whereas after three bloody assaults on Puebla in which more than a thousand 
        gallant Frenchmen lost their lives, the 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 that historic battle can never be forgotten;
Whereas many brave Mexicans willingly gave their lives for the causes of justice 
        and freedom in the Battle of Puebla on Cinco de Mayo;
Whereas the sacrifice of the Mexican fighters was instrumental in keeping Mexico 
        from falling under European domination;
Whereas Cinco de Mayo serves as a reminder that the foundation of the United 
        States 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 between the 
        people of Mexico and the people of the United States;
Whereas in a 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
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) recognizes the historical struggle for independence and 
        freedom of the people of Mexico; and
            (2) calls upon the people of the United States to observe 
        Cinco de Mayo with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
                                 <all>
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