H.R. No. 845
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
 
         WHEREAS, Each year, residents of Dallas gather to celebrate
  Cinco de Mayo, a holiday honoring the legendary Mexican victory
  over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862; and
         WHEREAS, After chafing under Spanish rule for several
  centuries, Mexico declared itself a free and independent nation in
  1821, but the transition from colonialism was a difficult one, and
  the mid-19th century saw the young nation struggling to maintain a
  stable government; in the winter of 1861-1862, with the central
  government in Mexico severely weakened, France, Britain, and Spain
  jointly occupied the port of Veracruz for the avowed purpose of
  securing the payment of debt owed by Mexico to European creditors;
  and
         WHEREAS, When it became evident that France actually intended
  to conquer Mexico, Britain and Spain began withdrawing their troops
  on April 11, 1862; some two weeks later, the French army began to
  march on Mexico City; its advance, however, was dramatically
  checked at the town of Puebla, where the Mexican general Ignacio
  Zaragoza Seguin, leading a small, poorly armed, and greatly
  outnumbered force, defeated the French on May 5, 1862; and
         WHEREAS, That victory at Puebla was an important event in the
  history of the Republic of Mexico, for by repelling one of the
  world's finest military forces, the courageous Mexican soldiers not
  only struck a blow against foreign domination but also fired a
  powerful sense of national pride; and
         WHEREAS, Today, the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla is
  observed in many U.S. cities as well as in Mexico; Cinco de Mayo
  celebrations in Texas enjoy a particular resonance because General
  Zaragoza was a Tejano, born in Presidio La Bahia, near present-day
  Goliad; the determination of this able officer and his men to defend
  "la patria," the homeland, is as inspiring now as it was 155 years
  ago; and
         WHEREAS, Cinco de Mayo festivities pay homage to one of the
  notable events in Mexico's past while highlighting that country's
  music, food, art, and cherished traditions, and the annual
  observance has become a special part of the rich cultural fabric of
  Dallas and the entire Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
  Legislature hereby recognize the 2017 Dallas celebration of Cinco
  de Mayo and extend sincere best wishes to all those taking part in
  the event.
 
  Alonzo
 
  ______________________________
  Speaker of the House     
 
         I certify that H.R. No. 845 was adopted by the House on March
  23, 2017, by a non-record vote.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House