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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Texans and many other Americans are joining with our |
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neighbors south of the Rio Grande on May 5, 2015, to celebrate Cinco |
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de Mayo, a holiday honoring the legendary Mexican victory over the |
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French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862; and |
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WHEREAS, After chafing under Spanish colonization for |
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several centuries, Mexico declared itself a free and independent |
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nation in 1821, but the transition from colonialism was a difficult |
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one, and the mid-19th century saw the young nation struggling to |
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maintain a stable government; imperial powers in Europe seeking to |
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take advantage of Mexico's troubles and recover some of the rich |
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territory they had lost during recent independence movements joined |
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forces to invade the country in 1861; and |
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WHEREAS, Although England and Spain eventually withdrew, the |
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French army continued its invasion and by 1862 had begun the march |
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inland toward Mexico City; led by the young general Ignacio |
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Zaragoza Seguin, a small, poorly armed Mexican militia countered |
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the well-outfitted French soldiers at Puebla, a town southeast of |
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the capital, and, despite being vastly outnumbered, prevailed and |
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soundly defeated the French army; and |
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WHEREAS, That victory at Puebla on May 5, 1862, was an |
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important event in the history of the Republic of Mexico, for by |
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conquering one of the world's finest military forces the courageous |
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Mexican soldiers struck a blow against imperialism and foreign |
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domination and marked an extraordinary triumph for Mexican |
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independence and pride; and |
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WHEREAS, Today, the anniversary of that famous battle is |
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observed in many U.S. cities as well as in Mexico, but Cinco de Mayo |
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celebrations in Texas are unique because they pay tribute to our |
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shared heritage with Mexico; General Zaragoza, born in Presidio La |
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Bahia near present-day Goliad, Texas, holds a distinctive place in |
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history as a true Tejano, a son of both Texas and Mexico, and his |
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determination to honor and defend "la patria," the homeland, is as |
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inspiring now as it was more than 150 years ago; and |
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WHEREAS, Cinco de Mayo pays homage to one of the notable |
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events in Mexico's past while celebrating its music, food, art, and |
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cherished traditions, and the annual event has truly become a |
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special part of the rich cultural fabric of the Lone Star State; |
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now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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Legislature hereby commemorate Cinco de Mayo, 2015, and encourage |
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its observance around the state. |