[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 74 (Tuesday, May 6, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E824]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       THE CINCO DE MAYO HOLIDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. AL GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 6, 2008

  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, I am proud to commemorate Cinco 
de Mayo, the historic celebration of Mexican heritage and pride.
  On May 5th, 1862, Mexican General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin led 4,000 
Mexican troops into battle against the French in the Battle of Puebla, 
just 100 miles from Mexico City. General Seguin led his brave troops to 
a spirited victory in spite of being badly outnumbered and lacking the 
modern weaponry possessed by the French.
  The Mexican effort in the Battle of Puebla epitomized courage, as the 
outmanned troops survived three bloody French assaults and finally 
achieved resounding success. Numerous Mexicans gave their lives not 
solely for their country, but also for the timeless values of freedom 
and justice. The tremendous fight put up by the Mexican troops at the 
Battle of Puebla also had a substantial impact on the United States' 
history, as the French defeat provided President Lincoln with crucial 
support as the Civil War descended into chaos.
  There can be no doubting the bravery, spirit or patriotism of the 
thousands of Mexican troops who fought and, all too frequently, gave 
their lives at the Battle of Puebla. In the spirit of remembering the 
sacrifices of those troops, Cinco de Mayo provides us with a perfect 
opportunity to recognize the sacrifice for sovereignty, the importance 
of courage and, above all, the universal yearning for freedom.
  Cinco de Mayo is celebrated throughout Mexico and the United States 
with a joyous mixture of food, music and dancing. It has also taken on 
great significance in the United States as a day to celebrate broadly 
the culture and ancestry of Americans of Mexican heritage.
  The Mexican forces who won the Battle of Puebla should not and will 
not ever be forgotten, nor will the values for which they fought. I 
commend those forces for their spirit and courage and I wish all those 
celebrating the holiday across Mexico and the United States a happy 
Cinco de Mayo.

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