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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, 2017, 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 rule for several |
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centuries, Mexico declared itself a free and independent nation in |
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1821, but the transition from colonialism was a difficult one, and |
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the mid-19th century saw the young nation struggling to maintain a |
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stable government; in the winter of 1861-1862, with the central |
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government in Mexico severely weakened, France, Britain, and Spain |
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jointly occupied the port of Veracruz for the avowed purpose of |
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securing the payment of debt owed by Mexico to European creditors; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, When it became evident that France actually intended |
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to conquer Mexico, Britain and Spain began withdrawing their troops |
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on April 11, 1862; some two weeks later, the French army began to |
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march on Mexico City; its advance, however, was dramatically |
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checked at the town of Puebla, where the Mexican general Ignacio |
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Zaragoza Seguin, leading a small, poorly armed, and greatly |
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outnumbered force, defeated the French on May 5, 1862; and |
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WHEREAS, That victory at Puebla was an important event in the |
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history of the Republic of Mexico, for by repelling one of the |
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world's finest military forces, the courageous Mexican soldiers not |
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only struck a blow against foreign domination but also fired a |
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powerful sense of national pride; and |
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WHEREAS, Today, the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla is |
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observed in many U.S. cities as well as in Mexico; Cinco de Mayo |
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celebrations in Texas enjoy a particular resonance because General |
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Zaragoza was a Tejano, born in Presidio La Bahia, near present-day |
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Goliad; the determination of this able officer and his men to defend |
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"la patria," the homeland, is as inspiring now as it was more than |
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150 years ago; and |
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WHEREAS, Cinco de Mayo festivities pay homage to one of the |
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notable events in Mexico's past while highlighting that country's |
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music, food, art, and cherished traditions, and the annual |
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celebration has become a special part of the rich cultural fabric of |
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the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature hereby commemorate Cinco de Mayo, 2017, and encourage |
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its observance around the state. |