[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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