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.