[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11647]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   IN COMMEMORATION OF CINCO DE MAYO

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. AL GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 5, 2009

  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, I would like to commemorate 
Cinco de Mayo, or the Fifth of May, in honor of the historic day that 
Mexico defeated France at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Cinco de Mayo 
is a national holiday that symbolizes courage, honor, liberty, unity 
and the struggle for freedom for millions of Mexicans and Mexican-
Americans.
  Cinco de Mayo has a deep history that all Americans should recognize 
and remember. Shortly after Mexico gained independence from Spain in 
1810, internal political takeovers and wars destroyed the Mexican 
economy causing Mexico to borrow money from France and other creditors. 
Mexico was unable to pay back the debt they owned to France; thus, the 
French invaded Mexico in an attempt to force repayment. The Mexican 
troops were outnumbered by the French--the French army had 6,500 
soldiers while the Mexican army only had 4,500 soldiers. The odds were 
stacked against the Mexican soldiers: they were outnumbered, untrained 
and ill-equipped, fighting against an army deemed as one of the best 
trained and equipped in the world. The French soldiers were confident 
that their attacks against Mexico would leave the struggling nation on 
its knees, bowing to a European crown once again. Much to their dismay, 
at the Battle of Puebla, the Mexican soldiers fought bravely and died 
with dignity for their countrymen's freedom. Each Mexican soldier 
fought valiantly with one common goal. In the end, it was the French 
army that surrendered on Mexican soil.
  In addition to its historical significance in Mexico, Cinco de Mayo 
is significant to all Americans because it marks the last time that any 
foreign power threatened to conquer North American soil.
  Cinco de Mayo is also a celebration of the rich cultural heritage 
people of Spanish and Latin American descent have shared with the 
United States. They have shared their music, art, language and 
traditions and these elements are sewn into the colorful fabric of 
``American'' culture.
  I ask my colleagues and all Americans to join me in commemorating 
Cinco de Mayo--a day that reflects the core principles that America was 
founded upon.

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