IV 111th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 1604 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 30, 2010 Ms. Roybal-Allard (for herself, Mr. Serrano, Mr. Hinojosa, Mr. Sablan, Mr. Ortiz, Ms. Richardson, Mrs. Napolitano, Mr. Gutierrez, Mr. Pastor of Arizona, Mr. Cuellar, and Mr. Berman) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs RESOLUTION Honoring the bicentennial anniversary of Mexican independence and the centennial anniversary of the beginning of the Mexican Revolution.

Whereas, on September 16, 2010, Mexico will celebrate two centuries of independence and proud membership in the community of nations; Whereas 2010 also marks 100 years since the start of the Mexican Revolution, which ultimately led to the ratification of the Mexican Constitution of 1917; Whereas, in the early hours of September 16, 1810, the Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla rang the bells of his church in the small town of Dolores to summon his congregation before issuing the now famous Grito de Dolores (Cry of Dolores), exhorting them to fight for independence from colonial rule; Whereas that call to arms reverberated across Mexico, inspiring an outpouring of support for the nascent rebellion; Whereas the Mexican people’s brave fight for independence against their colonial oppressors paralleled the United States’ own struggle for freedom during the American Revolution; Whereas after more than a decade of struggle, Mexico finally achieved its independence from Spain with the signing of the Treaty of Cordoba in Veracruz, Mexico, on August 24, 1821; Whereas, on September 16, 2010, President Calderón will commemorate the passage of 200 years since the Grito de Dolores by ringing the bells of the Palacio Nacional (National Palace) and offering a grito for the 21st century, publically recommitting Mexico to the ideals of liberty and democracy; Whereas President Calderón has declared 2010 to be the Año de la Patria (Year of the Nation) and called on his fellow citizens to set Mexico on a new trajectory toward development and progress; Whereas a strong relationship with Mexico is critical to the future security and prosperity of the United States; Whereas Mexican-Americans have contributed immeasurably to the fabric of national life, enriching the United States both culturally and economically with their music, literature, cuisine, and entrepreneurial spirit; Whereas the United States and Mexico share more than a border, embracing a common set of values and aspirations; Whereas the relationship between the United States and Mexico has developed and matured over the past 200 years; and Whereas the ability of the United States and Mexico to meet their many shared challenges over the next 200 years will depend on continuing to strengthen the ties that bind the two nations: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives— (1)joins the people of Mexico in celebrating the bicentennial anniversary of Mexican independence and the centennial anniversary of the beginning of the Mexican Revolution; (2)recognizes the many wonderful contributions that Mexican-Americans have made to life in the United States; and (3)looks forward to stronger ties and closer collaboration between the people of the United States and Mexico in confronting their many shared challenges in the 21st century.