H.Res. 1269

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1269 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 1269

Recognizing the cultural and historical significance of the Cinco de 
Mayo holiday.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 7, 2026

Mr. Vargas (for himself, Mr. Espaillat, Ms. Garcia of Texas, Ms. 
Randall, Ms. Tlaib, Mr. Menendez, Ms. Pou, Mr. Garcia of Illinois, Mr. 
Soto, Ms. Norton, and Ms. Barragan) 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 celebrated 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 the Battle of Puebla represented a 
historic triumph for the Mexican government during the Franco-Mexican 
war, fought between 1861 and 1867, and bolstered the resistance 
movement;
Whereas the success of Mexico at the Battle of Puebla reinvigorated 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 Battle 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''; 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;

(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) recognizes the historic struggle of the people of 
Mexico for independence and freedom, which Cinco de Mayo 
commemorates; and
(2) encourages the people of the United States to observe 
Cinco de Mayo with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
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