Today, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson released the following statement in honor of Cinco de Mayo:
"Today marks an historic moment in Mexican history that is shared by millions of people in Mexico and by others in the United States and throughout the world. Cinco de Mayo presents all of us with a significant opportunity to celebrate and recall the valor and triumph of the Mexican Army over French forces 153 years ago.
The 5th of May has served as an opportunity to honor the proud history of our Mexican neighbors and to acknowledge the contributions that generations of Mexican descendants have made to the United States. Their meaningful and rich heritage is an essential part of the American mosaic.
As a member of Congress who represents a diverse congressional district, I am proud to salute those who valiantly fought to defend the Mexican government, and its people. As an ardent supporter of immigrant families in Texas and throughout our country, I will continue to support measures that urge compassionate and common sense solutions to our existing immigration system.
In honor of Cinco de Mayo, and the thousands of immigrant families that have helped to shape our nation, let us renew our determination to work in a bi-partisan fashion to achieve comprehensive immigration reform that honors the heritage, the history and the values that represent the American dream."