[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 70 (Tuesday, May 1, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H4253-H4255]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING THE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF CINCO DE MAYO
Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 347) recognizing the historical significance of the
Mexican holiday of Cinco de Mayo.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 347
Whereas May 5, or Cinco de Mayo in Spanish, is celebrated
each year as a date of great importance by the Mexican and
Mexican-American communities;
Whereas the Cinco de Mayo holiday commemorates May 5, 1862,
the date on which the Battle of Puebla was fought by Mexicans
who were struggling for their independence and freedom;
Whereas Cinco de Mayo has become one of Mexico's most
famous national holidays and is celebrated annually by nearly
all Mexicans and Mexican-Americans, north and south of the
United States-Mexico border;
Whereas the Battle of Puebla was but one of the many
battles that the courageous Mexican people won in their long
and brave struggle for independence and freedom;
Whereas the French, confident that their battle-seasoned
troops were far superior to the almost amateurish Mexican
forces, expected little or no opposition from the Mexican
army;
Whereas the French army, which had not experienced defeat
against any of Europe's finest troops in over half a century,
sustained a disastrous loss at the hands of an outnumbered,
ill-equipped, and ragged, but highly spirited and courageous,
Mexican force;
Whereas after three bloody assaults upon Puebla in which
over a thousand gallant Frenchmen lost their lives, the
French troops were finally defeated and driven back by the
outnumbered Mexican troops;
Whereas the courageous and heroic spirit that Mexican
General Zaragoza and his men displayed during this historic
battle can never be forgotten;
Whereas many brave Mexicans willingly gave their lives for
the causes of justice and freedom in the Battle of Puebla on
Cinco de Mayo;
Whereas the sacrifice of the Mexican fighters was
instrumental in keeping Mexico from falling under European
domination;
Whereas the Cinco de Mayo holiday is not only the
commemoration of the rout of the French troops at the town of
Puebla in Mexico, but is also a celebration of the virtues of
individual courage and patriotism of all Mexicans and
Mexican-Americans who have fought for freedom and
independence against foreign aggressors;
Whereas Cinco de Mayo serves as a reminder that the
foundation of the United States is built by people from many
nations and diverse cultures who are willing to fight and die
for freedom;
Whereas Cinco de Mayo also serves as a reminder of the
close spiritual and economic ties between the people of
Mexico and the people of the United States, and is especially
important for the people of the southwestern States where
millions of Mexicans and Mexican-Americans make their homes;
Whereas in a larger sense Cinco de Mayo symbolizes the
right of a free people to self-determination, just as Benito
Juarez once said, ``El respeto al derecho ajeno es la paz''
(``The respect of other people's rights is peace''); and
Whereas many people celebrate during the entire week in
which Cinco de Mayo falls: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives recognizes the
historical struggle for independence and freedom of the
Mexican people and requests the President to issue a
proclamation recognizing that struggle and calling upon the
people of the United States to observe Cinco de Mayo with
appropriate ceremonies and activities.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
Jersey (Mr. Sires) and the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey.
General Leave
Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include
extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New Jersey?
There was no objection.
Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution.
I would like to begin by applauding the efforts and the leadership of
the author of the resolution, Congressman Joe Baca, who is also the
chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
Mr. Speaker, the Cinco de Mayo holiday commemorates the May 5, 1862,
victory of a vastly outnumbered Mexican Army under the command of
General Ignacio Zaragoza over Napoleon III's regiments at the Battle of
Puebla.
The triumph of the Mexican people over the French in this battle has
come to symbolize the fight for freedom and justice. To most of us in
the United States, this holiday is expressed through the enjoyment of
Mexican and Mexican American culture, the food, the music, and the
customs. This resolution encourages continuing those celebrations, but
it also reminds us that Cinco de Mayo is a tribute to the contributions
that the Mexicans and Mexican Americans have made and continue to make
across our Nation.
We take pride in these achievements and in the continuing dedication
of thousands of Mexican American men and women in uniform.
Cinco de Mayo reminds us that the foundation of the United States is
built by people from many nations and diverse cultures willing to fight
and die to make ours a stronger and freer world.
I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
First of all, I want to congratulate Mr. Baca, my good buddy, for
sponsoring this resolution. And I want to say very briefly that our
side supports moving forward with this resolution of the gentleman from
California, which recognizes the historical significance of Cinco de
Mayo.
Our good neighbors to the south, Mexico, and we here in the U.S.A.
have many things and values in common, and we ought to celebrate and
share them together, as this resolution does today. Cinco de Mayo is an
important holiday celebrated to commemorate May 5, 1862, the date
Mexicans fought the Battle of Puebla to end their struggle for
independence and freedom.
So let us recognize the historic struggle for independence and
freedom of the Mexican people as symbolized by this important holiday
and celebrate and rejoice together the holiday of Cinco de Mayo.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from
California's 43rd District, chairman of the Committee on Agriculture's
Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition, and
Forestry.
(Mr. BACA asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend and colleagues and my friend
Albio Sires for yielding me the time. I would also like to thank
Chairman Lantos and Ranking Member Ros-Lehtinen and then, of course, my
friend Dan Burton and the leadership for their support and their effort
in bringing this bipartisan resolution to the floor.
I rise today in support of H. Res. 347, a resolution honoring the
significance and impact of Cinco de Mayo. This Resolution 347
recognizes the Cinco de Mayo holiday, which commemorates May 5, 1862,
the date in which the Battle of Puebla was fought by Mexicans who were
struggling for their independence and freedom.
While Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican Army's victory over
[[Page H4254]]
France in this key battle, it was also but one of many battles for the
courageous Mexican people who won their long and brave struggle for
independence and freedom.
Today the Cinco de Mayo holiday is not only the commemoration of the
defeat of the French foreign army, it is also a celebration of virtues
of individual courage and patriotism of all Mexicans and Mexican
Americans who have fought for freedom and independence against foreign
aggressors.
Cinco de Mayo is also a day to celebrate the rich cultural heritage
that Latinos have brought to the United States. Latinos are the fastest
growing minority population in the country, representing 45 million
people, 17 percent of the total population. The Latino community has
made many important contributions in all aspects of life: the arts,
sports, the business world, sciences. Latinos have also fought in all
American wars beginning with the Revolutionary War, earning 41 Medals
of Honor overall. In World War II, 500,000 Hispanics fought, 65 Puerto
Ricans fought. Thirteen Medals of Honor, 11 Mexican Americans, one
Puerto Rican. Today there are over 30 Latino Members in the United
States Congress. This statistic points to what a driving force the
Latino community has become in our country economically, socially, and
politically.
Cinco de Mayo also provides us with a great opportunity to look back
at our own heritage as Americans. We must remember that our country was
built by people from different homelands with different diverse
cultures held together by common bond with a willingness to fight and
die for freedom.
Unfortunately for Latinos, there are many inequities that have put
our communities at a social and economic disadvantage. My colleagues
and I in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus are working together in a
bipartisan basis to end these barriers to increase opportunities for
Latinos, particularly in areas of education, health care,
homeownership, and equal representation in corporate America. As
Americans, we must unite to achieve these common goals.
In a large sense, Cinco de Mayo symbolizes the right of a free people
to self-determination, just as Benito Juarez once said: ``The respect
of other people's rights is peace.''
I ask my colleagues to support H. Res. 347.
Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from the
15th District in Texas, chairman of the Education and Labor
Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and
Competitivness, and member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (Mr.
Hinojosa).
Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House
Resolution 347, and also I rise to honor a true hero who gave his life
to free his country from foreign oppression.
Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin was born in 1829 near what is now Goliad,
Texas, a community in my congressional district.
In 1862 French troops began a march to capture Mexico City. They met
the Mexican forces led by a courageous and well-trained 33-year-old
general at the city of Puebla, Mexico, in a battle that lasted the
entire day of May 5, 1862. Under General Ignacio Zaragoza's leadership,
the vastly outnumbered Mexican Army forced the withdrawal of Napoleon
III's army, the premier army in the world.
{time} 1645
French Army losses were heavy, but Mexican troop casualties were few.
The costly delay in Puebla, Mexico helped shorten the French
intervention. It also helped preserve the American Union as it kept the
French Army too busy to directly aid the Confederacy with troops during
the U.S. Civil War.
General Zaragoza and his troops received a hero's welcome in Mexico
City. While visiting his sick troops, Ignacio contracted typhoid fever
and died on September 8, 1862 at the age of 33, only a few months after
the great battle against the French.
President Juarez declared May 5, Cinco de Mayo, a national holiday in
his country. Today, we celebrate Cinco de Mayo throughout Mexico and
around the world, but I hope that as we celebrate it, we remember the
courage and sacrifice of this true hero.
I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.
Res. 347. I rise to recognize the historical importance of the Mexican
holiday Cinco de Mayo. The fifth day of May, or Cinco de Mayo, is a
special day because it represents the importance of freedom, liberty
and determination for the people of Mexico and for Mexican-Americans.
It was on that day, May 5, 1862, that untrained, outnumbered, and
outgunned Mexican forces--determined to protect their land--
successfully defended the town of Puebla against the French.
The quest for an independent Mexico started on September 16, 1810,
when the people of Mexico, following the will to become a free nation,
refused to submit to Spanish rule. The struggle went on for 10 years.
Finally, in 1821, the first independent Mexican government was
established.
But being an independent nation was not easy. Over the years, Mexico
received economic support from several nations, France and England
among them. Later on, even Spain supported the new country. Thus,
Mexico became heavily indebted to foreign powers. Due to ongoing
political unrest caused by many groups struggling for power, Mexico was
not able to pay back the loans. On July 17, 1861, President Benito
Juarez issued a moratorium in which all-foreign debt payments would be
suspended for a period of two years, with the promise that after this
period, payments would resume.
In 1862, France, Spain, and England dispatched their fleets to
Mexican shores pursuing not only money but also land rights as payment
for their loans. A government representative greeted them and explained
that Mexico acknowledge its debts, but had no funds to pay them. They
were offered payment warrants in exchange.
The Spaniards and the British decided to accept the warrants and
withdrew from the scene. But the French government's representative did
not accept the offer and ordered his troops to invade the country and
head toward Mexico City, the nation's capital. They had to cross
through the state of Puebla to get to the capital.
Mexican President Benito Juarez. reacted immediately and prepared the
defense. He commanded Ignacio Zaragoza, a young and brave General, to
fortify the City of Puebla and repel the French invaders.
The battle was by no means even. France, under Louis Napoleon's rule,
had the world's most powerful army, and sent more than six thousand men
to invade Mexico. But the courage and the love of freedom impelled the
Mexican people to fight back.
General Ignacio Zaragoza led 5,000 ill-equipped Mestizo and Zapotec
Indians called Zacapoaxtlas. On the 5th of May 1862, the forts of
Loreto and Guadalupe, in the city of Puebla, became the scene of the
historical defeat of the great European army. Against overwhelming
odds, they managed to drive back the French army, achieving a total
victory over soldiers deemed among the best trained and equipped in the
world and embarking on the end of the European domination in America.
For Mexico, this day has come to represent a symbol of Mexican unity
and patriotism in the history of Mexico. In our country, Cinco de Mayo
is also a celebration of the rich cultural heritage Mexican Americans
have brought to the United States.
Hispanics are the fastest-growing minority group in the United
States. According to the most recent data available, the estimated
Hispanic population in the U.S. is 42.7 million--constituting 14
percent of our nation's population.
Hispanics now own a record number of small businesses--1.6 million,
with annual revenues of more than $221 billion. Small businesses create
two-thirds of American jobs, and the fastest-growing small business
sector is Latino-owned firms.
Today, there are 30 Hispanic Members in the United States Congress,
including 24 Democrats, many of whom are Mexican-American, representing
constituencies in all regions of the country, from California to New
York, from Arizona to Illinois, from Colorado to Florida.
These gains and numbers tell us that Hispanics are a driving force in
our country--economically, socially and politically. Hispanics share
the common goals with all other Americans of freedom, opportunity, and
a chance to build a better life. In pursuing these aspirations,
Hispanics have made important contributions to life in the United
States in the fields of culture, sports, entertainment, business
enterprise, science, politics and others.
On Saturday, May 5th, millions of Americans will join our neighbors
to the south in celebrating Cinco de Mayo. On this day, we are reminded
that all people--regardless of their race, color, or gender--have
enriched cultures and are worthy of respect and self-determination.
I am happy to be here today to celebrate this momentous day and to
recognize the values, traditions, and positive contributions of
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the Mexican culture. I urge all members to join me in supporting H.
Res. 347, and commemorate the historical significance of Cinco de Mayo.
Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my
time.
Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Sires) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 347.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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