1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 823 1-3 WHEREAS, The Texas Senate is pleased to join the citizens 1-4 of Goliad in celebrating Cinco de Mayo and in commemorating the 1-5 notable victory of troops led by Ignacio Seguin Zaragoza over 1-6 French forces in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862; and 1-7 WHEREAS, Designated as the State of Texas Official 1-8 Celebration Site for Cinco de Mayo, Goliad is also celebrating 1-9 its 250th anniversary; and 1-10 WHEREAS, During this 250th anniversary celebration, it is an 1-11 appropriate time to add the state's first ever Tejano History 1-12 Museum near the Presidio La Bahia and the Zaragoza Birthplace; and 1-13 WHEREAS, Born on March 24, 1829, at the Presidio La Bahia 1-14 del Espiritu Santo near Goliad, Ignacio Seguin Zaragoza was the 1-15 second son of Maria de Jesus Seguin and Miguel G. Zaragoza; and 1-16 WHEREAS, At first, Ignacio studied for several years for 1-17 the priesthood, and later trained for a career in commerce; he 1-18 enlisted in the military as a young man and followed his father's 1-19 career choice; and 1-20 WHEREAS, His brilliant military leadership was tested during 1-21 the War of La Reforma, when Ignacio Zaragoza allied himself with 1-22 the federalist troops of Benito Juarez; and 1-23 WHEREAS, Gallantly leading his troops against the strongholds 1-24 of Santa Anna in Guadalajara and Monterrey, General Zaragoza greatly 2-1 assisted the federalist troops; after the federalist victory, he 2-2 became, for a brief time, the Minister of War under the Juarez 2-3 government; his service in this post was of short duration, and he 2-4 resigned his position to lead the Army of the East against the 2-5 invading French forces; and 2-6 WHEREAS, Leaving behind his young and seriously ill wife, 2-7 Rafaela, the general realized that the cause of independence was 2-8 far greater than the lives of two people; he left to accept the 2-9 grave responsibility of defending his fatherland; and 2-10 WHEREAS, A master strategist, General Zaragoza deployed his 2-11 troops in defensive positions in the hills above Puebla and beside 2-12 the main road leading to town; when the French troops advanced 2-13 toward Puebla, the general led an advancement of crack troops to 2-14 harass the French forces; and 2-15 WHEREAS, Intending to conquer Mexico, join forces with the 2-16 Confederate army across the border, and attack the Union, the 2-17 French troops were sorely defeated by a determined Mexican army; 2-18 and 2-19 WHEREAS, Many people believe that the Battle of Puebla was a 2-20 watershed event which changed the course of history in the Western 2-21 Hemisphere; the Mexican forces made a lasting contribution to the 2-22 cause of democracy; shortly after General Zaragoza's great success, 2-23 he was deeply saddened to hear of his wife's death, and he died 2-24 soon thereafter; and 2-25 WHEREAS, Citizens across the State of Texas will celebrate 2-26 Cinco de Mayo, and this special celebration is at Zaragoza Plaza, 3-1 adjacent to the birthplace of Ignacio Seguin Zaragoza, which has 3-2 been designated by the Texas Legislature as the focal point for 3-3 Cinco de Mayo festivities; and 3-4 WHEREAS, The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Texas 3-5 Historical Commission, in cooperation with many local groups and 3-6 individuals, have developed an Interpretive Master Plan which will 3-7 illuminate for all to understand the national and international 3-8 significance of Goliad State Park and the Zaragoza Birthplace; and 3-9 WHEREAS, Memorialized in a lovely plaza in Goliad, the 3-10 spiritual bond between the founders of Texas and Ignacio Zaragoza 3-11 are readily apparent; now, therefore, be it 3-12 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 3-13 76th Legislature, hereby honor General Ignacio Seguin Zaragoza, 3-14 Cinco de Mayo, and the 250th anniversary of the City of Goliad 3-15 by recognizing the historical significance of the important 3-16 contributions made to the independence of Mexico and Texas; and, 3-17 be it further 3-18 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared as an 3-19 expression of the highest esteem and regard of the Texas Senate. 3-20 Armbrister 3-21 ______________________________________ 3-22 President of the Senate 3-23 I hereby certify that the above 3-24 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 3-25 on May 3, 1999. 3-26 ______________________________________ 3-27 Secretary of the Senate 3-28 ______________________________________ 3-29 Member, Texas Senate