[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 8] [House] [Pages 10851-10853] [From the U.S. 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 [[Page 10852]] 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. 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 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 [[Page 10853]] 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 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. ____________________