[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 61 (Thursday, April 26, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2831-S2832]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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  SENATE RESOLUTION 440--RECOGNIZING THE HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE OF THE 
                    MEXICAN HOLIDAY OF CINCO DE MAYO

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado (for himself, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Menendez, Mr. 
Bingaman, Mr. Reid, Mr. Bennet, Mr. Akaka, Ms. Stabenow, Mrs. 
Feinstein, and Mrs. Hutchison) submitted the following resolution; 
which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 440

       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 Mexicans who were struggling for 
     independence and freedom fought the Battle of Puebla;
       Whereas Cinco de Mayo has become widely 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 army, confident that its battle-seasoned 
     troops were far superior to the less-seasoned Mexican troops, 
     expected little or no opposition from the Mexican army;
       Whereas the French army, which had not experienced defeat 
     against any of the finest troops of Europe in more than half 
     a century, sustained a disastrous loss at the hands of an 
     outnumbered and ill-equipped, but highly spirited and 
     courageous, Mexican army;
       Whereas, after 3 bloody assaults on Puebla in which more 
     than 1,000 French soldiers lost their lives, the French 
     troops were finally defeated and driven back by the 
     outnumbered Mexican troops;
       Whereas the courageous spirit that Mexican General Ignacio 
     Zaragoza and his men displayed during that 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 while, in the United States, the Union Army 
     battled Confederate forces in the Civil War;
       Whereas Cinco de Mayo serves as a reminder that the 
     foundation of the United States was built by people from many 
     countries and diverse cultures who were willing to fight and 
     die for freedom;
       Whereas Cinco de Mayo also serves as a reminder of the 
     close ties between the people of Mexico and the people of the 
     United States;
       Whereas, in a larger sense, Cinco de Mayo symbolizes the 
     right of a free people to self-determination, just as Benito 
     Juarez, the president of Mexico during the Battle of Puebla, 
     once said, ``El respeto al derecho ajeno es la paz'' 
     (``Respect for the rights of others is peace''); and
       Whereas many people celebrate Cinco de Mayo during the 
     entire week in which the date falls: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes the historic struggle of the people of 
     Mexico for independence and freedom, which Cinco de Mayo 
     commemorates; and
       (2) encourages the people of the United States to observe 
     Cinco de Mayo with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. President, I rise with Senators Cornyn, 
Menendez, Bingaman, Reid, Bennet, Stabenow, Akaka, Feinstein, and 
Hutchison to submit a resolution commemorating Cinco de Mayo.
  We all love Cinco de Mayo for the food and festivities that we have 
grown so accustomed to across the country. However, the day is also of 
great historical relevance, commemorating the Battle of Puebla, an 
unlikely Mexican military victory over the French in 1852. Since then, 
Cinco de Mayo has come to represent Mexican-Americans' many 
contributions to the United States. For many decades Coloradans and 
communities across the country have celebrated this day in a way that 
brings pride to the contributions of the Mexican-American community of 
our state.
  The commemoration of Cinco de Mayo also highlights the courage that 
Mexican forces displayed on May 5, 1862, a courage that was welcomed by 
the Union Army as it battled Confederate forces in the American Civil 
War. The victory of the beleaguered force of Mexican troops at the 
Battle of Puebla was a setback for Napoleon's France

[[Page S2832]]

that weakened France's immense resources and limited its ability to 
meddle in America's Civil War. As Mexico sought to defend itself from 
European aggression, the Battle of Puebla is a reminder for us that the 
foundation of the United States was also built through fights in which 
the United States often found itself as the underdog. But through 
perseverance, the willingness to fight and die for freedom, and the 
contributions of a diverse cultural mix of Americans from across the 
globe, we have been made stronger. This is something we should 
celebrate about our country's history.
  This day in history has become especially important in Colorado, 
where the contributions of many Mexican-American families can be seen 
throughout our communities. As in years past, towns throughout Colorado 
and our nation will celebrate with food, educational activities, music 
and dancing, and I encourage my fellow Coloradans to join in their 
communities' celebrations.

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