[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 18 (Monday, May 9, 2005)]
[Pages 739-740]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks at the Cinco de Mayo Dinner

May 4, 2005

    The President. Bienvenidos. Laura and I are honored to host so many 
distinguished Hispanic Americans and Mexican leaders here in the Jardin 
de Rosas. [Laughter] Welcome to the White House. The way I see it is, mi 
casa es su casa. [Laughter] I always look forward to Cinco de Mayo, 
especially because it gives me a chance to practice my Spanish. My only 
problem this year is I scheduled the dinner on el quatro de Mayo. 
[Laughter] Next year I'm going to have to work on my math. [Laughter]
    I want to thank you all for coming. I particularly want to thank the 
Attorney General of the United States, Alberto Gonzales, for joining us. 
The Secretary of Commerce, Carlos Gutierrez, and Edi. SBA Administrator 
Hector Barreto and his wife, Robin. Anna Cabral and Victor--Anna Cabral 
is the Treasurer of the United States. Welcome, Anna.
    Eduardo Aguirre, who is the Director of the U.S. Citizenship and 
Immigration Services.
    Audience members. [Inaudible]
    The President. These guys said they want to get to know you, 
Eduardo. [Laughter] By the way, Eduardo has been announced and,

[[Page 740]]

upon Senate confirmation, will become the U.S. Ambassador to Spain.
    Mi amigo, el juez del sur de Texas, Ricardo Hinojosa. The U.S. 
Surgeon General and his wife, Diane--Dr. Richard Carmona.
    El Embajador de Mexico, welcome.
    El Embajador de Estados Unidos a Mexico, Tony Garza, y su esposa 
nueva, Maria. Welcome.
    I want to thank Congressman Henry Bonilla and Sheryl for joining us 
today--welcome, Congressman. Congressman Henry Cuellar de Texas, 
welcome.
    Josefina Vazquez Mota, Mexico's Secretary for Social Development, 
welcome.
    I want to thank Christian Castro, recording artist, who is going to 
perform tonight. I appreciate Jaci Velasquez; where's Jaci? Jaci is 
somewhere. There she is. Thanks. She's going to emcee. I want to thank 
Mariachi Sol de Mexico.
    Cinco de Mayo commemorates a joyful moment in Mexican history. 
Tonight we're proud to celebrate that moment together. The United States 
and Mexico are united by ties of family, faith in God, and a deep love 
for freedom.
    More than 25 million men and women of Mexican origin now make their 
homes in the United States. And they're making our Nation more vibrant 
and more hopeful every day. Mexican Americans have enriched the American 
experience with contributions to music and dancing and the arts. Latino 
entrepreneurs are starting their own businesses all across America and 
are creating jobs and trading in freedom with businesses across borders. 
More Hispanic Americans own their own homes today than ever before. And 
Mexican Americans are firmly committed to leaving no child behind in 
America.
    Mexican Americans are also strengthening our country with their 
patriotism and service. Thousands of Mexican Americans have sacrificed 
in the Armed Services for our freedom. And more than 8,700 men and women 
born in Mexico now wear the uniform of the United States military. These 
dedicated men and women are making America safer, and they're making the 
world safer. And they're carrying on the courage and devotion that 
inspired an outnumbered band of Mexican soldiers to victory in the 
Battle of Pueblo on the cinco de Mayo, 1862.
    Here at the White House, the triumph of Cinco de Mayo was recognized 
by President Abraham Lincoln. And through the generations, Americans 
have continued to look on our neighbor to the south with fondness and 
deep respect. Tonight we look to the future with confidence in our warm 
and growing friendship.
    And so now it is my pleasure to offer a toast: May God bless the 
people of Mexico and all the sons and daughters of Mexico who call 
America home. Que Dios los bendiga.

Note: The President spoke at 8:01 p.m. in the Rose Garden at the White 
House. In his remarks, he referred to Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. 
Gutierrez and his wife, Edilia; Treasurer of the United States Anna 
Cabral and her husband, Victor; Ricardo H. Hinojosa, chair, U.S. 
Sentencing Commission; Ambassador to the U.S. Carlos Alberto de Icaza 
Gonzalez of Mexico; U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Antonio O. Garza, Jr., and 
his wife, Maria; Congressman Henry Bonilla and his wife, Sheryl; and 
entertainers Jaci Velasquez and Mariachi Sol de Mexico. The Office of 
the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of these 
remarks.