[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 68 (Tuesday, May 5, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S5167]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE MEXICAN HOLIDAY OF CINCO 
                                DE MAYO

  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 128, submitted 
earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 128) recognizing the historical 
     significance of the Mexican holiday of Cinco de Mayo.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be 
laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate, and any 
statements related to the resolution be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 128) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 128

       Whereas May 5, or ``Cinco de Mayo'' in Spanish, is 
     celebrated each year as a date of great importance by the 
     Mexican and Mexican-American communities;
       Whereas the Cinco de Mayo holiday commemorates May 5, 1862, 
     the date on which the Battle of Puebla was fought by Mexicans 
     who were struggling for their independence and freedom;
       Whereas Cinco de Mayo has become one of Mexico's most 
     famous national holidays and is celebrated annually by nearly 
     all Mexicans and Mexican-Americans, north and south of the 
     United States-Mexico border;
       Whereas the Battle of Puebla was but one of the many 
     battles that the courageous Mexican people won in their long 
     and brave struggle for independence and freedom;
       Whereas the French, confident that their battle-seasoned 
     troops were far superior to the almost amateurish Mexican 
     forces, expected little or no opposition from the Mexican 
     army;
       Whereas the French army, which had not experienced defeat 
     against any of Europe's finest troops in over half a century, 
     sustained a disastrous loss at the hands of an outnumbered, 
     ill-equipped, and ragged, but highly spirited and courageous, 
     Mexican force;
       Whereas after three bloody assaults upon Puebla in which 
     over a thousand gallant Frenchmen lost their lives, the 
     French troops were finally defeated and driven back by the 
     outnumbered Mexican troops;
       Whereas the courageous and heroic spirit that Mexican 
     General Zaragoza and his men displayed during this historic 
     battle can never be forgotten;
       Whereas many brave Mexicans willingly gave their lives for 
     the causes of justice and freedom in the Battle of Puebla on 
     Cinco de Mayo;
       Whereas the sacrifice of the Mexican fighters was 
     instrumental in keeping Mexico from falling under European 
     domination;
       Whereas the Cinco de Mayo holiday is not only the 
     commemoration of the rout of the French troops at the town of 
     Puebla in Mexico, but is also a celebration of the virtues of 
     individual courage and patriotism of all Mexicans and 
     Mexican-Americans who have fought for freedom and 
     independence against foreign aggressors;
       Whereas Cinco de Mayo serves as a reminder that the 
     foundation of the United States is built by people from many 
     nations and diverse cultures who are willing to fight and die 
     for freedom;
       Whereas Cinco de Mayo also serves as a reminder of the 
     close spiritual and economic ties between the people of 
     Mexico and the people of the United States, and is especially 
     important for the people of the southwestern States where 
     millions of Mexicans and Mexican-Americans make their homes;
       Whereas in a larger sense, Cinco de Mayo symbolizes the 
     right of a free people to self-determination, just as Benito 
     Juarez once said, ``El respeto al derecho ajeno es la paz'' 
     (``The respect of other people's rights is peace''); and
       Whereas many people celebrate during the entire week in 
     which Cinco de Mayo falls: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes the historical struggle for independence and 
     freedom of the people of Mexico; and
       (2) calls upon the people of the United States to observe 
     Cinco de Mayo with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

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