[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 18 (Monday, May 7, 2001)]
[Pages 704-705]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks at a Cinco de Mayo Celebration

May 4, 2001

    Thank you all. We welcome you to this Cinco de Mayo celebration, 
even though it's on the quatro de Mayo. [Laughter] But it's such an 
important holiday, we decided to start early.
    I really appreciate El Embajador de Mexico, Juan Jose Bremer. Thank 
you for your kind words, thank you for your leadership, and welcome.
    I appreciate so very much Thalia for being here. I am thankful that 
she did not ask me to dance. [Laughter] But I loved her voice and loved 
her music. Pablo Montero. Thank you very much, Pablo, for coming. We 
will treasure that beautiful gift you gave to Laura, via me. [Laughter]
    It is a pleasure to see my friend Don
Francisco. I had the honor of interviewing with Don Francisco before. 
He's a good man. And finally por fin, mi amigo Emilio Estefan. Emilio, 
thank you very much for coming. He's lucky we didn't let him in without 
Gloria. [Laughter] I know you join me in thanking the fantastic dancers 
and the mariachis. It's such beautiful music, and the White House is 
blessed by your presence.
    Some in my administration are here that I must introduce. Hector 
Barreto, he's going to make fine leader of the Small Business 
Administration; Eduardo Aguirre, who is going to be a senior official at 
the Export-Import Bank--Eduardo. Rosario Marin is here; she is going to 
be the Treasurer of the United States. We could go on all day long, but 
there's one other fellow I want to introduce. He's a friend of Mexico. 
He's a great United States Senator. The Senator from the State of New 
Mexico, Pete Domenici. Is Ed Pastor here? I don't see Ed.
    Today we remember a proud moment for the people of Mexico, when 
Mexican soldiers won the Battle of Puebla. When the news of that victory 
reached this house, it was recognized and recorded by Abraham Lincoln. 
Then, and for many years afterwards, the United States and Mexico lived 
two very different histories, often divided by misperceptions and 
mistrust. It's changed.
    The United States and Mexico now share ties of history, familia, 
values, commerce, and culture. We are more united in friendship and 
common purpose than ever before. Just yesterday I had yet another visit 
with my friend El Presidente Vicente Fox. This is the third time my 
friend and I have had a chance to dialog about the incredibly important 
relationship between the United States and Mexico. And I hope people 
take note that in a few months he'll come back as the honored guest of 
the first state dinner I will have as President of the United States. We 
have worked together as Governors; we will work together as Presidents. 
And we'll always work in the spirit of mutual respect.
    Cinco de Mayo is a day for special pride and remembrance for people 
on--it's a reminder of the pride--of the proud heritage of many 
Americans and the warm and growing friendship between two great nations. 
It's a day worth celebrating.
    I want to thank you all for coming. Laura and I welcome you, so 
pleased so many folks came.
    Again, I want to thank the fantastic artists who are here. Mi Casa 
Blanca es su Casa Blanca. Adios.

[[Page 705]]

    Thank you all.

Note: The President spoke at 3:23 p.m. on the South Lawn at the White 
House. In his remarks, he referred to Mexican Ambassador to the U.S. 
Juan Jose Bremer; entertainers Pablo Montero, Emilio Estefan, Gloria 
Estefan, and Thalia; Spanish-language television host Mario 
Kreutzberger, popularly known as ``Don Francisco''; and President 
Vicente Fox of Mexico.