Reads HR 80 on House Floor
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas Earlier today on the floor chamber of the Texas House of Representatives joined by his colleagues State Representative Roberto R. Alonzo read in full House
Resolution 80 (HR 80) proclaiming the Cinco de Mayo holiday in Texas.
I know how important this holiday is not only to the Latino community across the country in general but to citizens and residents all over the state of Texas and the DFW region in particular. I also firmly believe that the Cinco de Mayo (or May 5th) celebrations today are now as much an American as it is a Mexican holiday because it represents one of the greatest strengths and part of the more diverse cultural fabric that makes up the United States and Texas.
It is a way that customs and holidays from all cultures find their way into the mainstream and enrich our national fabric in much the same way that holidays like St. Patricks Day (from Ireland) does on March 17 every year. During the Cinco de Mayo residents of the United States - and not just those of Mexican descent - have taken a small regional Mexican commemoration and turned it into a celebration of Mexicos culture. The day commemorates the Battle of Puebla when a small Mexican force led by Mexican General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin defeated French invaders headed toward Mexico City in 1862 stated Rep. Alonzo.
For those who do not know and are somewhat unfamiliar with cultural holidays like this one the Cinco de Mayo is not Mexicos Independence Day - that is September 16 - when in 1810 Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla ignited the Mexican Revolution with his Grito de Dolores the cry for independence. It is no secret that some U.S. citizens may not be too thrilled that Americans like us take the time to celebrate a foreign holiday like Cinco de Mayo. However ironically speaking that is what is so great about the USA - it draws from all cultures and we are free to celebrate or ignore any event or holiday that we choose as Americans and the Cinco de Mayo is atop the list of those cultural holidays we commemorate every year.
Just like St. Patricks Day in commemorating Cinco de Mayo Americans and Texans alike have made the holiday their own. Thus the reason it has become as much an American as well as a Mexican holiday. More importantly it also reflects the growing economic clout of Latinos in the USA especially in Texas and the Southwest. And as ethnic groups become more assimilated their holidays like the Cinco de Mayo become more mainstream as well as part of the national American fabric and multicultural identity continued Rep. Alonzo.
I applaud all members of the legislature who joined me on the House floor chamber earlier today to commemorate Cinco de Mayo in Texas concluded Rep. Alonzo.
