[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 64 (Wednesday, May 5, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S4789]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             CINCO DE MAYO

  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, today, May 5, or ``Cinco de Mayo,'' 
marks an important holiday for Mexicans and Mexican-Americans alike, 
and it will be observed with celebrations and festivities across the 
United States. Contrary to a popular misconception, Cinco de Mayo does 
not commemorate Mexico's independence from Spain. That holiday is 
celebrated on September 16. Instead, Cinco de Mayo marks the victory in 
1862 of the Mexican army over a larger, better armed and better trained 
invading French army at La Batalla de Puebla.
  After gaining independence in 1821, Mexico endured a series of set 
backs while trying to establish a republic. By the late 1850s, Mexico 
was in the grips of a severe economic crisis, and the treasury was 
bankrupt. In 1861, President Benito Juarez placed a moratorium halting 
payments on foreign debt. Since much of Mexico's debt was owed to 
France, Napoleon III responded by invading Mexico. After landing in the 
port of Veracruz, the French army, which was considered the finest 
military force of the period, expected to march through the country and 
easily capture the capital, Mexico City. However, a small Mexican army, 
under the command of General Ignacio Zaragosa, mounted a strong defense 
at the town of Pueblo and routed the invading force.
  The stunning victory was short-lived, though. The French returned 
with reinforcements and were able to defeat Mexican forces the 
following year. But they were only able to control Mexico for four 
years, and President Juarez regained power in 1867.
  Although, in the end, La Batalla de Puebla had little lasting 
military significance, it was, culturally, a watershed event for the 
fledging nation, and for Latin America as a whole. After seeing 
Europe's best army routed by a hastily gathered and largely untrained 
Mexican defense, European leaders became more wary of exerting military 
force in the Americans. Europe never sent another invading force to the 
Americas after this episode.
  The victory at Puebla also instilled a great sense of pride and 
patriotism in the people of Mexico. They proved their military mettle 
to themselves and the world, and their government, led by President 
Juarez, secured legitimacy in the eyes of other nations.
  Finally, La Batalla de Puebla asserted the right of people living in 
former European colonies to self determination and national 
sovereignty, and it unified all the citizens of Mexico, from landowners 
to laborers, in a common cause. It marks the point when people stopped 
seeing themselves as subjects of monarchy in a distant land or 
restricted their loyalty to a particular state or region, but instead 
viewed themselves as citizens of a new nation, a nation united under 
the green, white and red colors of the Mexican flag.
  Much has been said in recent years about the ``commercialization'' of 
Cino de Mayo, and it is true that importance of this holiday often has 
been overlooked. However, to most Mexican-Americans, or Chicanos, Cinco 
de Mayo has a special meaning. Many scholars believe La Batalla de 
Puebla produced the first military hero from the American Southwestern 
region in General Ignacio Zaragosa, who was born in Texas. The holiday 
has long been a lesson in overcoming great odds through determination 
and unity. Today, Cinco de Mayo is an occasion for people of Mexican 
descent to come together to express pride in their history, and I 
encourage all Americans to enjoy this opportunity to celebrate and 
appreciate the contributions of Mexican culture.

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