[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 6] [Senate] [Page 8460] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]CINCO DE MAYO Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, today, May 5, or ``Cinco de Mayo,'' marks an important holiday for Mexicans and Mexican-Americans alike, and it will be observed with celebrations and festivities across the United States. Contrary to a popular misconception, Cinco de Mayo does not commemorate Mexico's independence from Spain. That holiday is celebrated on September 16. Instead, Cinco de Mayo marks the victory in 1862 of the Mexican army over a larger, better armed and better trained invading French army at La Batalla de Puebla. After gaining independence in 1821, Mexico endured a series of set backs while trying to establish a republic. By the late 1850s, Mexico was in the grips of a severe economic crisis, and the treasury was bankrupt. In 1861, President Benito Juarez placed a moratorium halting payments on foreign debt. Since much of Mexico's debt was owed to France, Napoleon III responded by invading Mexico. After landing in the port of Veracruz, the French army, which was considered the finest military force of the period, expected to march through the country and easily capture the capital, Mexico City. However, a small Mexican army, under the command of General Ignacio Zaragosa, mounted a strong defense at the town of Pueblo and routed the invading force. The stunning victory was short-lived, though. The French returned with reinforcements and were able to defeat Mexican forces the following year. But they were only able to control Mexico for four years, and President Juarez regained power in 1867. Although, in the end, La Batalla de Puebla had little lasting military significance, it was, culturally, a watershed event for the fledging nation, and for Latin America as a whole. After seeing Europe's best army routed by a hastily gathered and largely untrained Mexican defense, European leaders became more wary of exerting military force in the Americans. Europe never sent another invading force to the Americas after this episode. The victory at Puebla also instilled a great sense of pride and patriotism in the people of Mexico. They proved their military mettle to themselves and the world, and their government, led by President Juarez, secured legitimacy in the eyes of other nations. Finally, La Batalla de Puebla asserted the right of people living in former European colonies to self determination and national sovereignty, and it unified all the citizens of Mexico, from landowners to laborers, in a common cause. It marks the point when people stopped seeing themselves as subjects of monarchy in a distant land or restricted their loyalty to a particular state or region, but instead viewed themselves as citizens of a new nation, a nation united under the green, white and red colors of the Mexican flag. Much has been said in recent years about the ``commercialization'' of Cino de Mayo, and it is true that importance of this holiday often has been overlooked. However, to most Mexican-Americans, or Chicanos, Cinco de Mayo has a special meaning. Many scholars believe La Batalla de Puebla produced the first military hero from the American Southwestern region in General Ignacio Zaragosa, who was born in Texas. The holiday has long been a lesson in overcoming great odds through determination and unity. Today, Cinco de Mayo is an occasion for people of Mexican descent to come together to express pride in their history, and I encourage all Americans to enjoy this opportunity to celebrate and appreciate the contributions of Mexican culture. ____________________