[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21554]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING MEXICO ON HER INDEPENDENCE DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 14, 2009

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 199th 
anniversary of Mexican Independence Day, which celebrates the historic 
independence of Mexico from Spanish rule. This momentous day is 
significant because it represents a sign of justice and equality--
rights valued and protected in our great country of the United States. 
It represents the day when Mexico was able to begin its quest for 
freedom for the people of that beautiful and spirited country. Our two 
countries will continue to make sure that the rights of the people come 
first.
  Mexican Independence Day is celebrated on the date that Father Miguel 
Hidalgo y Castillo, a priest in Dolores, Guanajuato, frustrated with 
Spanish rule, rang the church bell to gather the people of the town. 
Hidalgo ignited a fire in the listeners, thus starting Mexico's War of 
Independence, requesting that the people of Mexico join him in rising 
against Spanish rule. Just as the soldiers in the American 
Revolutionary War fought on behalf of our country, these courageous, 
patriotic men fought to gain the independence of their beloved Mexico. 
The war lasted 10 years, finally giving Mexico its independence in 
1921. Now, this event known as Grito de Delores or ``Cry of Delores'' 
is joyfully celebrated every year on September 16 by Mexicans all over 
the world. The red, white, and green flag is proudly displayed on this 
day during festivities. The green represents independence, the white 
represents religion, and the red represents union. This occasion is 
celebrated with food, parties, and the Mexican president delivering the 
speech that rallied the people to fight for Mexican freedom.
  El Centro Comunitario Mexicano, or as it is popularly known, CECOMEX, 
is one of the oldest active, not-for-profit organizations for Mexican 
Americans in New York City. It has worked independently as a community 
organization in East Harlem, catering to the needs of the Mexican 
American population established in the tri-state area, specifically the 
area of El Barrio. It is estimated that there are around 35,000 Mexican 
immigrants or Mexican descendents there. CECOMEX has been organizing 
Mexican Independence Day festivities since 1996, with attendance 
growing every year. I would like to commend Consul Ruben Beltran and 
Ambassador Arturo Sarukhan for their hard work on behalf of the country 
of Mexico.
  Let's pay our respects to those courageous men who fought on behalf 
of Mexico to help position the country where it is today. I call upon 
my fellow Members Of Congress to join me in celebrating Mexican 
Independence Day in honor of all the Mexican immigrants and 
descendents, not only in my district, but throughout this great nation 
and world.

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