Commemorating Cinco de Mayo 2025.

89(R) SR 644 - Enrolled version - Bill Text

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 644

WHEREAS, Texans and many other Americans are joining with

the people of Mexico on May 5, 2025, 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 Seguín, leading a small, poorly armed,

and greatly outnumbered force, defeated the French on May 5,

1862; the battle lasted from daybreak to early evening, and the

French lost nearly 500 soldiers while fewer than 100 Mexican

troops were killed; and

WHEREAS, That victory at Puebla was an important event in

the history of the Republic of Mexico; 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 with parades,

speeches, and historical reenactments; Cinco de Mayo

celebrations in Texas enjoy a particular resonance because

General Zaragoza was a Tejano, born in Presidio La Bahía, 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 more than 150 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

celebration has become a special part of the rich cultural fabric

of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th

Legislature, hereby commemorate Cinco de Mayo 2025.

Menéndez

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the

above Resolution was adopted by

the Senate on May 31, 2025.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate