III 

112TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 440 

Recognizing the historic significance of the Mexican holiday of Cinco de 

Mayo. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

APRIL 26, 2012 

Mr. UDALL of Colorado (for himself, Mr. CORNYN, Mr. MENENDEZ, Mr. 

BINGAMAN, Mr. REID, Mr. BENNET, Mr. AKAKA, Ms. STABENOW, Mrs. 

FEINSTEIN, and Mrs. HUTCHISON) submitted the following resolution; 

which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the historic 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 Mexicans who were struggling 

for independence and freedom fought the Battle of 

Puebla; 

Whereas Cinco de Mayo has become widely celebrated annually by nearly all Mexicans and Mexican-Americans, north 

and south of the United States-Mexico border; 


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•SRES 440 IS 

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 army, confident that its battle-seasoned 

troops were far superior to the less-seasoned Mexican 

troops, 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 and ill-equipped, but highly spirited 

and courageous, Mexican army; 

Whereas, after 3 bloody assaults on Puebla in which more 

than 1,000 French soldiers lost their lives, the French 

troops were finally defeated and driven back by the outnumbered Mexican troops; 

Whereas the courageous spirit that Mexican General Ignacio 

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 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; 


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•SRES 440 IS 

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, the president of Mexico during the Battle of 

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

(‘‘Respect for the rights of others is peace’’); and 

Whereas many people celebrate Cinco de Mayo during the entire week in which the date falls: 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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