[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 71 (Friday, May 6, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E650-E651]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RECOGNIZING CINCO DE MAYO

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                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 6, 2016

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, to recognize the holiday 
of Cinco de Mayo commemorating the victory of the Mexican Army 1862 
over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War.
  The fifth day of May, or Cinco de Mayo, is a special day because it 
represents the importance of freedom, liberty and determination for the 
people of Mexico and for Mexican-Americans.
  It was on that day, May 5, 1862, that untrained, outnumbered, and 
outgunned Mexican forces--determined to protect their land--
successfully defended the town of Puebla against the French.
  The quest for an independent Mexico started on September 16, 1810, 
when the people of Mexico, following the will to become a free nation, 
refused to submit to Spanish rule.
  The struggle went on for 10 years.
  Finally, in 1821, the first independent Mexican government was 
established.
  But being an independent nation was not easy.
  Over the years, Mexico received economic support from several 
nations, France and England among them.
  Later on, even Spain supported the new country.
  Thus, Mexico became heavily indebted to foreign powers.
  Due to ongoing political unrest caused by many groups struggling for 
power, Mexico was not able to pay back the loans.
  On July 17, 1861, President Benito Juarez issued a moratorium in 
which all-foreign debt payments would be suspended for a period of two 
years, with the promise that after this period, payments would resume.

[[Page E651]]

  In 1862, France, Spain, and England dispatched their fleets to 
Mexican shores pursuing not only money but also land an rights as 
payment for their loans.
  A government representative greeted them and explained that Mexico 
acknowledge its debts, but had no funds to pay them.
  They were offered payment warrants in exchange.
  The Spaniards and the British decided to accept the warrants and 
withdrew from the scene.
  But the French government's representative did not accept the offer 
and ordered his troops to invade the country and head toward Mexico 
City, the nation's capital.
  They had to cross through the state of Puebla to get to the capital.
  Mexican President Benito Juarez, reacted immediately and prepared the 
defense.
  He commanded Ignacio Zaragoza, a young and brave General, to fortify 
the City of Puebla and repel the French invaders.
  The battle was by no means even.
  France, under Louis Napoleon's rule, had the most world's powerful 
army, and sent more than six thousand men to invade Mexico.
  But the courage and the love of freedom impelled the Mexican people 
to fight back.
  General Ignacio Zaragoza led 5,000 ill-equipped Mestizo and Zapotec 
Indians called Zacapoaxtlas.
  On the 5th of May 1862, the forts of Loreto and Guadalupe, in the 
city of Puebla, became the scene of the historical defeat of the great 
European army.
  Against overwhelming odds, they managed to drive back the French 
army, achieving a total victory over soldiers deemed among the best 
trained and equipped in the world and embarking on the end of the 
European domination in America.
  For Mexico, this day has come to represent a symbol of Mexican unity 
and patriotism in the history of Mexico.
  In our country, Cinco de Mayo is also a celebration of the rich 
cultural heritage Mexican Americans have brought to the United States.
  Hispanics are the fastest-growing minority group in the United 
States.
  According to the most recent data available, the estimated Hispanic 
population in the U.S. is 42.7 million--constituting 14 percent of our 
nation's population.
  Hispanics now own a record number of small businesses--1.6 million, 
with annual revenues of more than $221 billion.
  Small businesses create two-thirds of American jobs, and the fastest-
growing small business sector is Latino-owned firms.
  Today, there are 32 Hispanic Members in the United States Congress, 
including 3 Senators and 29 House Members, many of whom are Mexican-
American, representing constituencies in all regions of the country, 
from California to New York, from Arizona to Illinois, from Colorado to 
Florida.
  These gains and numbers tell us that Hispanics are a driving force in 
our country--economically, socially and politically.
  Hispanics share the common goals with all other Americans of freedom, 
opportunity, and a chance to build a better life.
  In pursuing these aspirations, Hispanics have made important 
contributions to life in the United States in the fields of culture, 
sports, entertainment, business enterprise, science, politics and 
others.
  Today, millions of Americans will join our neighbors to the south in 
celebrating Cinco de Mayo.
  On this day, we are reminded that all people--regardless of their 
race, color, or gender--have enriched cultures and are worthy of 
respect and self-determination.
  I am happy to be here today to celebrate this momentous day and to 
recognize the values, traditions, and positive contributions of the 
Mexican culture.

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