A resolution recognizing the cultural and historical significance of the Cinco de Mayo holiday.

III 117TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION S. RES. 221 Recognizing the cultural and historical significance of the Cinco de Mayo holiday. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES MAY 18, 2021 Mr. MENENDEZ (for himself and Mr. CORNYN) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations RESOLUTION Recognizing the cultural and historical significance of the Cinco de Mayo holiday. Whereas May 5, or ‘‘Cinco de Mayo’’ in Spanish, is cele- brated each year as a date of importance by Mexican and Mexican-American communities; Whereas the Cinco de Mayo holiday commemorates May 5, 1862, the date on which Mexicans defeated the French at the Battle of Puebla, one of the many battles that the Mexican people won in their long and brave fight for independence, freedom, and democracy; Whereas the victory of Mexico over France at Puebla rep- resented a historic triumph for the Mexican government during the Franco-Mexican war fought between 1861 and 1867 and bolstered the resistance movement; VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:08 May 18, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR221.IS SR221 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 2 •SRES 221 IS Whereas the success of Mexico at the Battle of Puebla rein- vigorated the spirits of the Mexican people and provided a renewed sense of unity and strength; Whereas the French army, which had not experienced defeat against any of the finest troops of Europe in more than half a century, sustained a disastrous loss at the hands of an outnumbered and ill-equipped, but highly spirited and courageous, Mexican army; Whereas the courageous spirit that Mexican General Ignacio Zaragoza and his men displayed during that historic bat- tle can never be forgotten; Whereas, in a larger sense, Cinco de Mayo symbolizes the right of a free people to self-determination, just as Benito Juarez, the president of Mexico during the Battle of Puebla, once said, ‘‘El respeto al derecho ajeno es la paz’’, meaning ‘‘respect for the rights of others is peace’’; Whereas the sacrifice of Mexican fighters was instrumental in keeping Mexico from falling under European domination while, in the United States, the Union Army battled Con- federate forces in the Civil War; Whereas Cinco de Mayo serves as a reminder that the foun- dation of the United States was built by people from many countries and diverse cultures who were willing to fight and die for freedom; Whereas Cinco de Mayo also serves as a reminder of the close ties between the people of Mexico and the people of the United States; Whereas Cinco de Mayo encourages the celebration of a leg- acy of strong leaders and a sense of vibrancy in commu- nities; and VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:08 May 18, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR221.IS SR221 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 3 •SRES 221 IS Whereas Cinco de Mayo serves as a reminder to provide more opportunity for future generations: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate— 1 (1) recognizes the historic struggle of the people 2 of Mexico for independence and freedom, which 3 Cinco de Mayo commemorates; and 4 (2) encourages the people of the United States 5 to observe Cinco de Mayo with appropriate cere- 6 monies and activities. 7 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:08 May 18, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\SR221.IS SR221 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS