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 Mexi-
can-American communities;
Whereas since May 5, 1862, this date has become one of
Mexico’s most celebrated national holidays and is cele-
brated annually by almost all Mexicans and Mexican-
Americans, north and south of the United States-Mexican
border;
Whereas the Battle of Puebla was but one of the many bat-
tles that these courageous people had to win in their long
and brave struggle for independence and freedom;
•HCON 398 IH
Whereas the French general, confident that his battle-sea-
soned 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 Eu-
rope’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 Gen-
eral 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-
•HCON 398 IH
Americans who have fought for freedom and independ-
ence against foreign aggressors;
Whereas Cinco de Mayo serves as a reminder that the foun-
dation of this Nation is built by people from many na-
tions 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 espe-
cially 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 Be-
nito 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 by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That the Congress recognizes the historical
struggle of the Mexican people and requests that the
President issue a proclamation recognizing that struggle
and calling upon the people of the United States to ob-
serve it with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
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