IV 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 163
Recognizing the historical significance of the Mexican holiday of Cinco de 
Mayo. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 7, 2003
Mr. BACA (for himself, Ms. CARSON of Indiana, Mr. UDALL of New Mexico, 
Mrs. NAPOLITANO, Ms. LINDA T. SA´NCHEZ of California, Mr. SERRANO, 
Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA´, Mr. CONYERS, Mr. LANTOS, Mr. GONZALEZ, Mr. 
REYES, Mr. FROST, Mr. HINOJOSA, Mr. MENENDEZ, Mrs. CAPPS, Mr. 
RODRIGUEZ, and Mr. ORTIZ) submitted the following concurrent resolu-
tion; 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 
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 Mexico’s most fa-
mous national holidays and is celebrated annually by
•HCON 163 IH 
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 bat-
tles 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 Mexi-
can forces, expected little or no opposition from the Mexi-
can army; 
Whereas the French army, which had not experienced defeat 
against any of Europe’s finest troops in over half a cen-
tury, sustained a disastrous loss at the hands of an out-
numbered, ill-equipped, and ragged, but highly spirited 
and courageous, Mexican force; 
Whereas after three bloody assaults upon Puebla in which 
over 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 Gen-
eral Zaragoza and his men displayed during this 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 instru-
mental in keeping Mexico from falling under European 
domination; 
Whereas the Cinco de Mayo holiday is not only the com-
memoration of the rout of the French troops at the town 
of Puebla in Mexico, but is also a celebration of the vir-
tues of individual courage and patriotism of all Mexicans
•HCON 163 IH 
and Mexican-Americans who have fought for freedom and 
independence against foreign aggressors; 
Whereas Cinco de Mayo serves as a reminder that the foun-
dation 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 
spiritual and economic ties between the people of Mexico 
and the people of the United States, and is especially im-
portant for the people of the southwestern States where 
millions of Mexicans and Mexican-Americans make their 
homes; 
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 by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
concurring), That Congress recognizes the historical strug-
gle for independence and freedom of the Mexican people 
and requests the President to issue a proclamation recog-
nizing that struggle and calling upon the people of the 
United States to observe with appropriate ceremonies and 
activities.
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