House Proceeding 05-04-09 on May 4th, 2009 :: 0:26:48 to 0:33:50
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0:26:48 to 0:27:08( Edit History Discussion )

Eni F. H. Faleomavaega: continues to reserve the balance of his time. the gentleman from new jersey. mr. payne: this time i yield to the delegate from samoa, mr. fail -- faleomavaega, 10 minutes. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for 10 minutes. ms. fallin: i thank my friend

0:26:48 to 0:33:50( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Eni F. H. Faleomavaega

0:27:09 to 0:27:29( Edit History Discussion )

Eni F. H. Faleomavaega: and -- >> i thank my friend, mr. payne. i rise today and i ask unanimous consent that the substance of the text, complete text of my statent be made part of the record. i rise in support of house

0:27:30 to 0:27:50( Edit History Discussion )

Eni F. H. Faleomavaega: resolution 230 to recognize the historical significance of the mexican history of cinco de mayo. i commend my colleague, the gentleman from california, for introducing this legislation as it truly does serve as a reminder that all the people of our great nation regardless of theirace, color or gender, have enriched our diversity and

0:27:51 to 0:28:12( Edit History Discussion )

Eni F. H. Faleomavaega: cultures and are worthy of our respect as a nation. mr. speaker, cinco de mayo commemorates the battle of puebla. on may 5, 1862, outnumbed and outgunned mexican forces, determined to protect their land successfully defended the town of puebla against french

0:28:13 to 0:28:33( Edit History Discussion )

Eni F. H. Faleomavaega: soldiers and transferred rule to the arch duke from austria and puppet of napoleon iii from france. this day has come to represent a symbol of mexican union and patriotism in the history of mexico. it is a celebration of individual courage and patriotism of all mexicans and

0:28:34 to 0:28:54( Edit History Discussion )

Eni F. H. Faleomavaega: mexican americans whose ancestors are from mexico and are part of the rich diversity of our nation. it serves as a reminder of the cult tral and spiritual ties of the people of mexico and our great country. mr. speaker, i want to share with my colleagues the life and

0:28:55 to 0:29:15( Edit History Discussion )

Eni F. H. Faleomavaega: history of a particular leader, who in my humble opinion is the greatest hero in mexico's history, a true statesman whose name is linked with the name cinco de mayo. his name is don juares, former

0:29:16 to 0:29:37( Edit History Discussion )

Eni F. H. Faleomavaega: president of mexico. president juarez led the mexican people in their fight for independence. he was the first mexican president of indian descent, inding enous descent. his parents were part of the

0:29:38 to 0:30:00( Edit History Discussion )

Eni F. H. Faleomavaega: tribe prevalent in the state of mexico. he worked in the corn fields and as a shepard until the age of 12. when he went to the city at the age of 13 to attend school, he could not read, write or speak spanish. he was adopted by the francis

0:30:01 to 0:30:21( Edit History Discussion )

Eni F. H. Faleomavaega: can order who ought him reading, math and spanish grammar and entered the seminary and studied with catholic philosophers and studied law. he was educated in the law in preparation for his political career. mr. speaker, in his first

0:30:22 to 0:30:43( Edit History Discussion )

Eni F. H. Faleomavaega: political position as a city councilman, he was noted as a strong defender of indian rights. he participated in the revolutionary overthrow of santa anna in 1955, becoming the administration of justice and reforms were embodied in the constitution

0:30:44 to 0:31:06( Edit History Discussion )

Eni F. H. Faleomavaega: during the reform war of 1858 to against the conservative faction of mexico's government. the liberals succeed only through popular support and unwavering support of the president and he was elected president in 1861. .

0:31:07 to 0:31:27( Edit History Discussion )

Eni F. H. Faleomavaega: at the time of president don benito juarez, one can compare him to president abraham lincoln. both leaders in fact presided over their countries in times of crisis, demonstrating great courage and perseverance in the fight for freedom. both grew up in poverty and arted law -- studied law.

0:31:28 to 0:31:51( Edit History Discussion )

Eni F. H. Faleomavaega: both fought against bigotry and racism. in fact, president lincoln and pres contemporaries who held each other in high regard. in fact, in 1858 upon hearing of juarez's struggles in mexico, president lincoln sent him an encouraging message expressing hope, and i quote, for the liberty of your government and its people, even

0:31:52 to 0:32:13( Edit History Discussion )

Eni F. H. Faleomavaega: in the midst of our own civil war, president lincoln provided arms and munitions to president juarez to support the mexican people in their fight against ance. when the u.s. confederacy sent one to mexico to enlist support for their cause, president juarez jailed the man for 30 days before sending him a way, a clear sign of support for

0:32:14 to 0:32:34( Edit History Discussion )

Eni F. H. Faleomavaega: president lincoln's cause at the time. mr. speaker, today the united states and mexico share close ties. we also share the ideals of freedom and democracy. because of our shared values and frems tremendous contributions made by mexican americans, i think it's fitting and most proper for us in congress to recognize the

0:32:35 to 0:32:56( Edit History Discussion )

Eni F. H. Faleomavaega: struggle of the mexican people for independence against french colonial rule. it's ironic, mr. speaker, that we have the gentleman by the name of lafayette, whose portrait is right over here, who came here as a french patriot who fought against british colonialism and the only foreigner here with the

0:32:57 to 0:33:17( Edit History Discussion )

Eni F. H. Faleomavaega: portrait right next to our founding father george washington, ironic that in the history of mexico napoleon sent him to continue french colonial rule in mexico and so now we had to kick the french out in order to give the mexican people their freedom. again, i thank the gentleman from california, former

0:33:18 to 0:33:40( Edit History Discussion )

Eni F. H. Faleomavaega: chairman of the congressional hispanic caucus, my good friend, for his leadership in introducing this bill. i urge my colleagues to support this legislation and i back the balan the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the ge mr. boozman: i want to thank mr. baca for bringing this forward and urge my colleagues

0:33:41 to 0:33:50( Edit History Discussion )

Eni F. H. Faleomavaega: to support and i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from arkansas yields back the balance of his time. the gentleman from new jersey. mr. payne: i yield back the