[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 62 (Tuesday, May 8, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E757]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             CINCO DE MAYO

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DAVID E. BONIOR

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 8, 2001

  Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, this past weekend Mexican-Americans joined 
our neighbor to the South in celebrating a day dedicated to the 
recognition of a successful fight for freedom. In Detroit, the Latino 
community gathered together to celebrate Cinco de Mayo and I want to 
recognize the Bagley Housing Association, the Mexican Patriotic 
Committee of Detroit, the El Central newspaper, and the Mexican Town 
Community Development Corporation for making that celebration possible. 
Cinco de Mayo is a story of unity, of strength, of faith, and of a 
country's ability to overcome insurmountable odds.
  On May 5, 1862, in the town of Puebla, Mexican General Ignacio 
Zaragoza led a hastily gathered group of forces to the defeat of the 
French army, which had not faced defeat in over fifty years. The French 
outnumbered the Mexican forces by at least two to one and had some of 
the most superior military training the world had ever seen. Despite 
all this, the might and spirit of the Mexican people prevailed. After 
this embarrassing defeat, the French army retreated and took another 
full year to prepare before they finally took Mexico City. However, 
Mexican resistance to the French occupation and increasing pressure 
from the United States forced the French to withdraw after only three 
years.
  The battle that took place on Cinco de Mayo was primarily a battle 
for freedom. However, I believe that this important day has come to 
symbolize not only the fight for freedom, but the fight for justice as 
well.
  The growing Latino population in Michigan and in the United States 
enriches our culture in many ways. One can see the Latino influence in 
our music, our food, our language, and our art. Their commitment both 
to their faith and their family is a proud heritage. Because Latinos 
have contributed so much to this country, we must fight to protect the 
rights of Latino citizens and all Latinos in this country. We must 
continue this struggle for justice in our workplaces, in our schools, 
and in our communities because, in the words of Benito Juarez, ``sooner 
or later the cause of rights and justice will triumph.''
  Just as those brave Mexican soldiers overcame overwhelming odds to 
defeat the French army in 1862, I believe that our Latino population 
will use their strength, unity, and faith to overcome any obstacle. We 
must all work together to stop English-only, anti-immigrant, and anti-
affirmative action laws. In recognition of this Cinco de Mayo, let us 
all remember and be inspired by Cesar Chavez who said, ``Once social 
change begins, it cannot be reversed. You cannot uneducate the person 
who has learned to read. You cannot humiliate the person who feels 
pride. You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore.''

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