[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 163 Introduced in House (IH)]






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. Sanchez 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 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 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 famous 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 
        Europe's finest troops in over 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 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 General 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 instrumental in keeping Mexico 
        from falling under European domination;
Whereas the Cinco de Mayo holiday is not only the commemoration of the rout of 
        the French troops at the town of Puebla in Mexico, but is 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 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 important 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 struggle for independence and 
freedom of the Mexican people and requests the President to issue a 
proclamation recognizing that struggle and calling upon the people of 
the United States to observe with appropriate ceremonies and 
activities.
                                 <all>