[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 54 (Tuesday, May 5, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S4370]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           ``CINCO DE MAYO''

 Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, I rise to recognize and 
remember the importance of this day, known as ``Cinco de Mayo'' to the 
Republic of Mexico and to millions of Mexican-Americans. Many in this 
country may not realize it, but after 40 years after achieving 
independence from Spain, in 1862 Mexico was again subjugated to 
European colonial domination, this time by the French. In that year, 
Napoleon sent a massive military force to Mexico to unseat President 
Benito Juarez to install a Hapsburg, Maximilian, as monarch of Mexico.
  After capturing the port city of Veracruz, the French continued their 
march toward Mexico City. But the proud Mexicans did not give in 
without a fight. On this day in 1862, on a small battlefield near 
Puebla, a hastily assembled, ill-equipped Mexican force of 
predominantly Mestizo and Zapotec Indians bravely battled against a 
force of Napoleon's renowned professional French Army. Against all 
odds, the Mexicans actually routed the French, and the ``Batalla de 
Puebla'' became a rallying cry and watershed event for eventual Mexican 
independence.
  The Mexicans who fought on that fateful day embodied the spirit of 
freedom and patriotism that eventually drove Mexico to victory and 
paved the way for the economic and political advances that continue in 
that nation to this day. It is in that same spirit that we in the 
United States, who have our own proud history of achieving 
independence, celebrate and recognize the Batalla de Puebla and the 
significance of this day.
  In addition to signifying a military victory, the Cinco de Mayo 
holiday, particularly as recognized in the United States, is also a 
celebration of Mexican and Mexican-American culture and history. In 
many cities throughout the U.S., this celebration centers around grand 
cultural fiestas that include traditional Mexican song, dance, and 
cuisine. Much as we recognize the Fourth of July not only as an act of 
independence from Britain, but also as a cornerstone of our cultural 
identity as Americans, many Mexican-Americans view Cinco de Mayo as a 
common cultural thread and history that they share.
  Mr. President, I would like to join all Americans and all Mexicans in 
this recognition of a very proud and colorful Mexican history. The 
Mexicans who fought and died on that battlefield near Puebla in 1862 
embodied the ideal to which all human beings, regardless background or 
status, aspire--the inalienable right of self-determination. Cinco de 
Mayo is therefore a chance for communities on both sides of the border 
to remember how important a gift freedom is, how difficult it is to 
achieve, and how vigilant we must all be to preserve it.

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