[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 7]
[House]
[Page 8420]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           DO NOT OVERLOOK TRUE MEANING OF CINCO DE MAYO DAY

  (Mr. BACA asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Mexican 
patriots who gave their lives fighting valiantly and successfully 
against an overwhelming French army on May 5, 1862.
  Celebrated as Cinco de Mayo, the true meaning of this holiday has 
been too often overlooked. Many celebrate with festivals, singing and 
dancing, but it is more than a party, it is about a proud heritage, 
cultural tradition and the freedom that was won. We as Americans and 
Hispanics celebrated Cinco de Mayo not just to honor the courage of 
those fighting for freedom, but also for its significance to the 
American ideal of self-determination, respect, justice and equality for 
all individuals.
  Today, the struggle continues on, but we must come together as one 
Nation and one unit to respect each and every one of us. I yield back 
the balance of my time as we celebrate Cinco de Mayo, all coming 
together as one Nation and one country.

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