093_HR0085
LRB093 05266 KEF 05356 r
1 HOUSE RESOLUTION
2 WHEREAS, Cinco de Mayo is a date of great importance for
3 the Mexican and Chicano communities in the United States; and
4 WHEREAS, In 1862, the French army, led by Napoleon III,
5 began its advance into Mexico to claim territory leading to a
6 ferocious battle known as the "Batalla de Puebla"; the French
7 army met resistance from 5,000 ill-equipped Mestizo and
8 Zapotec Indians under the command of General Ignacio
9 Zaragoza; the battle, which occurred on May 5, marks the
10 victory of the Mexican Army over the French, who were forced
11 to retreat; and
12 WHEREAS, Although the Mexican army was eventually
13 defeated, the "Batalla de Puebla" now represents a symbol of
14 Mexican unity and patriotism; and
15 WHEREAS, As a result of this victory, Mexico demonstrated
16 to the world that Mexico and Latin America are willing to
17 defend themselves of any foreign intervention, especially
18 those from imperialist states; therefore, be it
19 RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
20 NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
21 we recognize "Cinco de Mayo", and join with those who
22 celebrate May 5 as a day of remembrance for all the patriots
23 of Mexico and Latin America who fought for independence from
24 France in 1862.