[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 398 Introduced in House (IH)]







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 
        Mexican-Americans, 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;
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-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
    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 
observe it with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
                                 <all>