IV
119THCONGRESS
1
STSESSION H. RES. 384
Recognizing the cultural and historical significance of the Cinco de Mayo
holiday.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MAY5, 2025
Mr. V
ARGAS(for himself, Mr. ESPAILLAT, Ms. GARCIAof Texas, Ms. RAN-
DALL, Ms. NORTON, Ms. VELA´ZQUEZ, Mr. RUIZ, Ms. RIVAS, Mr. CASTRO
of Texas, Ms. O
CASIO-CORTEZ, Mr. VICENTEGONZALEZof Texas, Mr.
S
OTO, Mr. GARCIAof California, Ms. BARRAGA´N, Ms. POU, Mr. JACKSON
of Illinois, Mr. M
ENENDEZ, Mr. CISNEROS, and Mr. CUELLAR) submitted
the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign
Affairs
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, 1 of the many battles that the
Mexican people won in their long and brave fight for
independence, freedom, and democracy;
VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:02 May 06, 2025 Jkt 059200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR384.IH HR384
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB 2
•HRES 384 IH
Whereas the victory of Mexico over France at the Battle of
Puebla represented a historic triumph for the Mexican
government during the Franco-Mexican war, fought be-
tween 1861 and 1867, and bolstered the resistance move-
ment;
Whereas the success of Mexico at the Battle of Puebla rein-
vigorated the spirits of the Mexican people and provided
a renewed sense of unity and strength;
Whereas the French army, which had not experienced defeat
against any of the finest troops of Europe in more than
half a century, sustained a disastrous loss at the hands
of an outnumbered and ill-equipped, but highly spirited
and courageous, Mexican army;
Whereas the courageous spirit that Mexican General Ignacio
Zaragoza and his men displayed during the historic Bat-
tle of Puebla can never be forgotten;
Whereas, in a larger sense, Cinco de Mayo symbolizes the
right of a free people to self-determination, just as Benito
Juarez, the president of Mexico during the Battle of
Puebla, once said, ‘‘El respeto al derecho ajeno es la
paz’’, meaning ‘‘respect for the rights of others is peace’’;
Whereas the sacrifice of Mexican fighters was instrumental in
keeping Mexico from falling under European domination
while, in the United States, the Union Army battled Con-
federate forces in the Civil War; and
Whereas Cinco de Mayo—
(1) serves as a reminder that the foundation of the
United States was built by people from many countries
and diverse cultures who were willing to fight and die for
freedom;
VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:02 May 06, 2025 Jkt 059200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR384.IH HR384
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB 3
•HRES 384 IH
(2) serves as a reminder of the close ties between
the people of Mexico and the people of the United States;
(3) encourages the celebration of a legacy of strong
leaders and a sense of vibrancy in communities; and
(4) serves as a reminder to provide more opportunity
for future generations: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 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 02:02 May 06, 2025 Jkt 059200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR384.IH HR384
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB