[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 18 (Monday, May 7, 2007)]
[Pages 580-581]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks at a Cinco de Mayo Celebration

May 4, 2007

    The President. Thank you all. Please be seated. Sientese. [Laughter] 
Bienvenidos. Thank you for coming. Welcome to El Jardin de las Rosas. 
It's a great place to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. As a matter of fact, I've 
been looking forward to celebrating this so much that we decided to have 
our own quatro de Mayo. [Laughter]
    Thanks for coming. Welcome. I'm honored to celebrate this important 
holiday with you all. On Cinco de Mayo, we remember our close friendship 
with Mexico and we honor and remember the many contributions Mexican 
Americans have made to our Nation.
    I'm sorry Laura couldn't be here. She's coming back from having 
camped out in a national park with high school classmates. I'm honored 
to be here with the Attorney General of the United States, mi amigo, 
Alberto Gonzales, y tambien the Secretary of Commerce, Carlos Gutierrez, 
y su esposa, Edi. I'm glad to be here with Dr. Emilio Gonzalez, Director 
of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and Gloria. I appreciate 
my friend Emilio Estefan for arranging this entertainment here in the 
Rose Garden. I welcome the Ambassador to--Mexico, Arturo. Bienvenidos. 
I'm glad you're here. Thanks for coming.
    As you can see, I'm standing up here with a mariachi band, initially 
from Monterrey, Mexico--Los Hermanos Mora Arriaga. Welcome. Brothers and 
sisters--I think you told me you had 13 brothers and----
    Audience member. Fifteen.
    The President. ----15 brothers and sisters. [Laughter] We believe in 
family values. [Laughter]
    I want to thank those who wear the uniform of the United States. 
Thank you for serving.
    Cinco de Mayo celebrates a great Mexican victory at the Battle of 
Puebla. On May 5th, 1862, an outnumbered band of Mexican soldiers held 
their ground against a professional European army. They triumphed 
against overwhelming odds. The victory inspired Mexican patriots in 
their heroic fight for liberty and for democracy. Cinco de Mayo is a 
joyful day in Mexican history, and it's an important milestone in the 
history of freedom.
    The people of the United States are proud to celebrate Cinco de Mayo 
with our Mexican neighbors. Our two countries continue to stand for the 
principles that the Mexican Army defended at Puebla. We believe that 
democracy represents the true will of people. We believe that freedom is 
God's gift to every man, woman, and child on the face of this Earth. And 
we believe that both our nations have a responsibility to share the 
blessings of liberty.
    The United States and Mexico are bound by strong family ties. 
Mexican Americans have enriched our culture by sharing their musical and 
artistic talents. They've strengthened our economy by opening new 
businesses and expanding trade. And they have made our Nation more 
hopeful by leading lives of faith and family.
    Mexican Americans have also defended the United States by wearing 
our Nation's uniform. Today, Mexican Americans in uniform answered the 
call to advance the cause of liberty, and this Nation is really grateful 
for your service and your sacrifice.
    The patriotism of Mexican Americans reminds us that one of our 
greatest strengths is the character and diversity of our Nation's 
immigrants. Immigration has made our land a great melting pot of talent 
and ideas. It has made America a beacon of hope for people in search of 
a better life.

[[Page 581]]

    In Washington, we're now in the midst of an important discussion 
about immigration. Our current immigration system is in need of reform. 
It is not working. We need a system where our laws are respected. We 
need a system that meets the needs of our economy. And we need a system 
that treats people with dignity and helps newcomers assimilate into our 
society.
    We must address all elements of this problem together or none of 
them will be solved at all. We must do it in a way that learns from the 
mistakes that caused previous reforms to fail. I support comprehensive 
immigration reform that will allow us to secure our borders and enforce 
our laws, to keep us competitive in the global economy, and to resolve 
the status of those already here, without amnesty and without animosity.
    Comprehensive immigration reform is a vital goal for our Nation, and 
it is a matter of deep conviction for me. I will continue to work 
closely with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to build a consensus 
for reform so Congress can pass and I can sign a comprehensive 
immigration bill into law este ano.
    The United States and Mexico share a great border, and we share a 
hopeful future. Tomorrow people on both sides of that border will 
celebrate freedom and the courage of all who defend it. I wish you a 
happy Cinco de Mayo. Que Dios los bendiga a los Estados Unidos y tambien 
Mexico.
    And now, Los Hermanos Mora Arriaga.

Note: The President spoke at 2:54 p.m. in the Rose Garden at the White 
House. In his remarks, he referred to Emilio Estefan, Jr., chairman, 
Estefan Enterprises, Inc.; and Mexico's Ambassador to the U.S. Arturo 
Sarukhan Casamitjana. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a 
Spanish language transcript of these remarks.