By Berlanga H.R. No. 814 75R14102 BNL-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, On May 5, 1997, Texans and many other Americans will 1-2 join their neighbors south of the Rio Grande in celebrating Cinco 1-3 de Mayo, one of the most prominent and festive holidays in Mexican 1-4 culture, and this date also provides a fitting opportunity to 1-5 recognize the 25th anniversary of the Mexican American Legislative 1-6 Caucus; and 1-7 WHEREAS, Cinco de Mayo commemorates the famed Battle of 1-8 Puebla; fought on May 5, 1862, the battle saw Texas-born General 1-9 Ignacio Zaragoza lead a small band of Mexican forces against 1-10 invading French troops; although the odds were clearly against 1-11 them, the Mexican soldiers prevailed, and this key victory united 1-12 the people of Mexico in their opposition to foreign domination and 1-13 control; and 1-14 WHEREAS, The history of the Mexican American Legislative 1-15 Caucus is similarly dramatic; it was established by eight members 1-16 in 1967 and was originally known as the Mexican American 1-17 Delegation; initially, the group met with stiff resistance, but 1-18 through teamwork, perseverance, and a strong belief that what they 1-19 were doing was right, they became an effective and powerful voice 1-20 for Texas' Hispanic citizens; and 1-21 WHEREAS, By 1973, the group had grown to include 17 members, 1-22 and the name was changed to the Mexican American Legislative 1-23 Caucus; today, the caucus has 33 members, including several 1-24 non-Hispanic legislators who represent districts with significant 2-1 Hispanic populations, and many of its members serve in powerful 2-2 positions as committee chairs and vice chairs; and 2-3 WHEREAS, This year's membership includes: Representatives Leo 2-4 Alvarado, Hugo Berlanga, Lon Burnam, Norma Chavez, Henry Cuellar, 2-5 Diana Davila, Harryette Ehrhardt, Jessica Farrar, Kino Flores, Pete 2-6 Gallego, Domingo Garcia, Roberto Gutierrez, Judy Hawley, Christine 2-7 Hernandez, Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, Tracy O. King, John Longoria, 2-8 Vilma Luna, Ruth Jones McClendon, Paul Moreno, Rene Oliveira, Dora 2-9 Olivo, Joe Pickett, Robert Puente, Richard Raymond, Art Reyna, 2-10 Elvira Reyna, Alec Rhodes, Gilbert Serna, Jim Solis, Gerard Torres, 2-11 Leticia Van de Putte, and Miguel Wise; and 2-12 WHEREAS, With its rich history and colorful pageantry, Cinco 2-13 de Mayo celebrates one of the finest moments in Mexico's past, a 2-14 moment when a vastly outnumbered group of spirited individuals held 2-15 fast to their beliefs and saw the spirit of democracy triumph; 2-16 today, the members of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus are 2-17 carrying on this proud tradition, and they are helping to create a 2-18 brighter future for all Texans, regardless of their color; now, 2-19 therefore, be it 2-20 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas 2-21 Legislature hereby commemorate both Cinco de Mayo and the 25th 2-22 anniversary of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus.