Senate Resolution 25-012

SENATE RESOLUTION 25-012

BY SENATOR(S) Rodriguez and Gonzales J., Amabile, Ball, Bridges, Carson, Cutter, Danielson, Daugherty, Exum, Hinrichsen, Jodeh, Kipp, Kirkmeyer, Kolker, Lundeen, Marchman, Michaelson Jenet, Mullica, Roberts, Simpson, Snyder, Sullivan, Wallace, Weissman, Winter F., Coleman.

CONCERNING COMMEMORATING CINCO DE MAYO.

WHEREAS, Cinco de Mayo marks El Dia de la Batalla de Puebla, the Mexican forces' unlikely victory over the Second French Empire forces -- the largest military force during this time -- under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin on May 5, 1862, a day that has come to represent pride, unity, and resilience for Mexican Americans, Hispanos, Chicanos, and Latinos in the United States. As we celebrate Cinco de Mayo, we recognize the contributions of Mexican Americans, Hispanos, Chicanos, and Latinos to our state's community and culture, economy, arts and entertainment, politics, and advocacy for marginalized communities and communities of color; and

WHEREAS, We recognize that much of the modern-day state of Colorado was once part of Mexico and became part of the United States with the ratification of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, and we recognize Hispano women like Teresita Sandoval, Rumalda Luna Boggs, and Maria Josefa Jaramillo Carson and Hispano men such as Casimiro Barela and Felipe Baca in the founding of Colorado and their fight to ensure that the rights of Hispanos and Mexican Americans would be recognized in this new state; and

WHEREAS, Mexican Americans, Hispanos, Chicanos, and Latinos helped create the state of Colorado, including through agriculture and industry, from the sheep herds and cattle ranches of the San Luis Valley, to the braceros working in sugar beet fields, chile growers, and also coal miners and mill workers, military and war heroes like Joe P. Martinez, Pete Jimenez, and Col. Louis Mendez. We recognize community builders like Celedonio Mondragón, founder of La Sociedad Protección Mutua de Trabajadores Unidos (SPMDTU), which is the oldest Latino civil rights organization in the country, and Doña Bernarda Mejia Velasquez, an army medic and midwife who delivered 3,000 children; and

WHEREAS, Mexican Americans, Hispanos, Chicanos, and Latinos have played a pivotal role in social justice movements for equality, and we recognize the work of community leaders Frank Anaya, Sam Sandos, Paco Sanchez, Rodolfo "Corky" Gonzales, Polly Baca, Richard Castro, Betty Benavidez, and Federico Peña in their fight to ensure equal protection, equal treatment, and equal opportunity for the diverse communities of Colorado. It is thanks to the groundwork laid by organizations such as the Good Americans Organization, United Farm Workers, Madres del Movimiento, Crusade for Justice, and West Side Coalition that a strong Latino/Chicano movement continues to thrive and grow in Colorado; and

WHEREAS, Many Coloradans of Mexican American, Hispano, Chicano, and Latino descent also identify with their indigenous roots and recognize the importance of lifting up the indigenous community, and we therefore acknowledge that the 5th of May is also the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls; and

WHEREAS, As undocumented immigrants come under attack by the current administration, we resolve to continue to fight for the civil rights of all residents of Colorado and remain adamant that the history and contributions of our people will not be erased or rewritten. We are proud of the strong ties we continue to forge with Mexico and recognize the work of the Mexican Consulate of Denver; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate of the Seventy-fifth General Assembly of the State of Colorado:

That we pay tribute to the sacrifices and struggles of the Mexican American, Hispano, and Chicano people who face discrimination and adversity and remain vigilant in our efforts to combat all forms of discrimination and ensure that every person is treated with dignity and respect; and

That we proudly celebrate and commemorate Cinco de Mayo, a day of cultural significance for Mexican American, Hispano, Chicano, and Latino communities.

BY SENATOR(S) Rodriguez and Gonzales J., Amabile, Ball, Bridges, Carson, Cutter, Danielson, Daugherty, Exum, Hinrichsen, Jodeh, Kipp, Kirkmeyer, Kolker, Lundeen, Marchman, Michaelson Jenet, Mullica, Roberts, Simpson, Snyder, Sullivan, Wallace, Weissman, Winter F., Coleman