Subject: Fwd: FOR COMMS APPROVAL: DWS Cinco De Mayo Statement
From: "Garcia, Walter" <[email-masked]>
To: "Miranda, Luis" <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 4 May 2016 17:14:32 -0700

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Garcia, Walter" <[email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>>
Date: May 4, 2016 at 5:34:00 PM EDT
To: "Miranda, Luis" <[email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>>
Cc: "Walker, Eric" <[email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>>, "Paustenbach, Mark" <[email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>>
Subject: RE: FOR COMMS APPROVAL: DWS Cinco De Mayo Statement

Thanks for that info, Luis. Edited below, per the President’s remarks:

DNC Chair Statement in Honor of Cinco de Mayo

Washington, D.C — DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement today in honor of Cinco de Mayo:

“Cinco de Mayo is a special day in Mexican history – a day that commemorates what can be best described as an improbable victory. On May 5, 1862, Mexican fighters and workers decided to take a stand and defend themselves from the mighty French Army despite being both out-manned and out-armed. The odds were clearly against them, but it was the hope of creating a better life for themselves and their children that fueled them and that ultimately allowed them to emerge victorious at the Battle of Puebla.

“More than 150 years later, that spirit of resilience and determination very much lives on among the millions of Mexican Americans in our country. Simply put, they’ve made immense contributions in politics, education, medicine, engineering, sports, food, and military service, and in so doing, our two cultures have grown closer than ever. And so, as we celebrate this important day that brings both sides of the border together, I would like to make one thing crystal clear: we, the Democratic Party, are proud to stand with Mexican Americans and all others from coast-to-coast who want nothing but the chance to live the American dream and bring to fruition a brighter future. We celebrate our diversity, for it has made us a richer and more vibrant place.

“This, of course, stands in stark contrast with what we have heard time and again from the official Republican nominee, Donald Trump. Let us not forget that he kicked off his campaign by calling Mexicans ‘rapists’ and ‘drug dealers,’ that he has promised to tear families apart and deport 11.3 million undocumented immigrants, and that he has promised to get rid of President Obama’s executive orders on immigration, known as DACA and DAPA. That is fundamentally un-American, and it runs counter to the values that have made America great for so long. End of story.”

###

From: Miranda, Luis
Sent: Wednesday, May 04, 2016 4:04 PM
To: Garcia, Walter
Cc: Walker, Eric; Paustenbach, Mark
Subject: RE: FOR COMMS APPROVAL: DWS Cinco De Mayo Statement

Needs work. Please look at Obama’s remarks on Cinco de Mayo. Also, it’s as American as Apple Pie. It really got popular in California. It’s an example of how deeply our cultures are tied together.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_Mayo

According to a paper published by the UCLA<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UCLA> Center for the Study of Latino Health and Culture about the origin of the observance of Cinco de Mayo in the United States<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States>, the modern American focus on that day first started in California<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California> in the 1860s in response to the resistance to French rule in Mexico. "Far up in the gold country town of Columbia (now Columbia State Park<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia_State_Historic_Park>) Mexican miners were so overjoyed at the news that they spontaneously fired off rifles shots and fireworks, sang patriotic songs and made impromptu speeches."[29]<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_Mayo#cite_note-UCLA-33> A 2007 UCLA Newsroom article notes that "The holiday, which has been celebrated in California continuously since 1863, is virtually ignored in Mexico."[29]<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_Mayo#cite_note-UCLA-33> TIME magazine reports that "Cinco de Mayo started to come into vogue in 1940s America during the rise of the Chicano Movement<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicano_Movement>."[18]<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_Mayo#cite_note-time.com-20> The holiday crossed over from California into the rest of the United States in the 1950s and 1960s but did not gain popularity until the 1980s when marketers, especially beer companies, capitalized on the celebratory nature of the day and began to promote it.[30]<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_Mayo#cite_note-34>[31]<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_Mayo#cite_note-35> It grew in popularity and evolved into a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage, first in areas with large Mexican-American populations, like Los Angeles<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles>, Chicago<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago>, Houston<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston> and San Jose<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Jose,_California>.[32]<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_Mayo#cite_note-36>
In a 1998 study in the Journal of American Culture it was reported that there were more than 120 official US celebrations of Cinco de Mayo in 21 different US states. An update in 2006 found that the number of official Cinco de Mayo events was 150 or more, according to José Alamillo, a professor of ethnic studies at Washington State University<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_State_University> in Pullman, who has studied the cultural impact of Cinco de Mayo north of the border.[33]<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_Mayo#cite_note-37>
[https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c5/Cinco26.jpg/170px-Cinco26.jpg]<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cinco26.jpg>
Cinco de Mayo celebration in Saint Paul, Minnesota<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Paul,_Minnesota>
In the United States Cinco de Mayo has taken on a significance beyond that in Mexico.[5]<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_Mayo#cite_note-clnet-5>[34]<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_Mayo#cite_note-MexCon-38>[35]<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_Mayo#cite_note-go-39>[36]<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_Mayo#cite_note-mn-40> On June 7, 2005, the United States Congress<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Congress> issued a concurrent resolution<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concurrent_resolution> calling on the President of the United States<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_of_the_United_States> to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe Cinco de Mayo with appropriate ceremonies and activities.[2]<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_Mayo#cite_note-thomas.loc.gov-2> To celebrate, many display Cinco de Mayo banners while school districts<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_district> hold special events to educate students about its historical significance. Special events and celebrations highlight Mexican culture, especially in its music and regional dancing. Examples include baile folklórico<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baile_Folklorico> and mariachi<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mariachi> demonstrations held annually at the Plaza del Pueblo de Los Ángeles<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pueblo_de_Los_%C3%81ngeles>, near Olvera Street<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olvera_Street>. Commercial interests in the United States have capitalized on the celebration, advertising Mexican products and services, with an emphasis on alcoholic beverages,[37]<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_Mayo#cite_note-times-41>[38]<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_Mayo#cite_note-NYSE-42> foods, and music.[39]<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_Mayo#cite_note-Alb-43>[40]<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_Mayo#cite_note-Corona-44>

www.www<http://www.www>

Cinco de Mayo marks a singular moment in Mexican history.  Nearly 150 years ago, a ragtag band of soldiers and citizens, badly outnumbered and facing impossible odds, held their ground on a muddy hill to defend their nation from what was at the time the most fearsome fighting force in the world.  That decisive victory at what became known as the Battle of Puebla ignited a pride in country and culture that Mexican Americans feel to this day.

And tomorrow, on both sides of our border, we'll pay tribute to our shared heritage by celebrating with friends and family, with love and laughter.  We'll remember that America is a richer and more vibrant place thanks to the contributions of Mexican Americans -- (applause) –

… We'll remember that the contributions of commerce and culture, in language and literature, in faith, and in food have all made America a better place.  And we will honor the service of Mexican Americans who have worn the uniform of the United States.  We'll also recommit to advancing the ambitions and the dreams of generations of Mexican Americans and all Latinos who have had an immeasurable impact on the life of this nation.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-cinco-de-mayo-reception

Now, the events of this date in history are well-known —- how nearly 150 years ago, at the Battle of Puebla, a band of Mexican patriots faced off against a massive European army and won a victory that inspires the world to this day.

Less well-known is that General Zaragoza, who led those patriots, was born in what is now the town of Goliad in Texas.  In fact, you can go there today -- are you from there?

…

So the glory of this day is shared by both of our countries. And so is our pride in the lasting contributions that Hispanics have made to America throughout our history, including the men and women who join us here tonight.

…

Now, by celebrating the story of Hispanics in America, we’re really celebrating the larger story of America.  After all, the dreams of Mexican Americans and all Latinos are the same dreams as any other American.  It’s why, in the face of an unprecedented economic crisis, we took bold action to get our economy growing again, creating jobs again and laying the foundation for lasting prosperity.

…So today reminds us that America’s diversity is America’s strength.  That’s why I spoke out against the recently passed law in Arizona.  (Applause.)  Make no mistake, our immigration system is broken.  And after so many years in which Washington has failed to meet its responsibilities, Americans are right to be frustrated, including folks along border states.  But the answer isn’t to undermine fundamental principles that define us as a nation.  We can’t start singling out people because of who they look like, or how they talk, or how they dress.  We can’t turn law-abiding American citizens —- and law-abiding immigrants —- into subjects of suspicion and abuse.  We can’t divide the American people that way.  That’s not the answer.  That’s not who we are as the United States of America. …

So, today I want us to remember —- the United States and Mexico are not simply neighbors, bound by geography and history. We’re two societies that are woven together by millions of family and friends, by common interests and a shared future.  Those are bonds that are unbreakable.  They’re bonds of an aspirational community -- you and your mothers and fathers, and brothers and sisters who struggled and sacrificed to realize the American Dream.  They’re also bonds of commerce and trade that sustain millions of jobs -— both in Mexico and in the United States.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/05/05/remarks-president-cinco-de-mayo-reception
But this is really a day for commemorating our shared heritage.  Our shared heritage -- Mexicans and Americans.  It’s a day for remembering that America is a richer, stronger, more vibrant place thanks to the contributions of Mexican Americans to the life of this nation –- contributions in commerce, culture, in language and literature, in faith, and obviously in food.  (Laughter.)…
we all come from different backgrounds, we have different beliefs, we have sometimes petty and sometimes not-so-petty political differences. But we all share a set of ideals.  We all have a common future.  We’re the heirs to mothers and fathers and grandparents, great grandparents, who struggled and sacrificed to forge and realize the American Dream.

      And that fills us with the collective responsibility to leave an even bigger and bolder, more generous, more compassionate nation for our children.

[SigDems]<http://www.democrats.org/>Luis Miranda, Communications Director
Democratic National Committee
202-863-8148 – [email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]> - @MiraLuisDC<https://www.twitter.com/MiraLuisDC>

From: Garcia, Walter
Sent: Wednesday, May 04, 2016 3:15 PM
To: Miranda, Luis
Cc: Walker, Eric; Paustenbach, Mark
Subject: FOR COMMS APPROVAL: DWS Cinco De Mayo Statement

DNC Chair Statement in Honor of Cinco de Mayo

Washington, D.C — DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement today in honor of Cinco de Mayo:

“Cinco de Mayo is a special day in Mexican history – a day that commemorates what can be best described as an improbable victory. On May 5, 1862, Mexican fighters and workers decided to take a stand and oppose the French Army despite being both out-manned and out-armed. The odds were clearly against them, but it was the hope of creating a better life for themselves and their children that fueled them and that ultimately allowed them to emerge victorious at the Battle of Puebla.

“More than 150 years later, that spirit of resilience and determination lives on among the millions of Mexican Americans in our country, as evident by the immense contributions that they’ve made to fields like politics, education, medicine, engineering, and sports. And so, as we celebrate on this important day, I would like to make one thing crystal clear: we, the Democratic Party, are proud to stand with Mexican Americans and all others from coast-to-coast who want nothing but the chance to live the American dream and bring to fruition a brighter future.

“This, of course, stands in stark contrast with what we have heard time and again from the official Republican nominee, Donald Trump. Let us not forget that he kicked off his campaign by calling Mexicans ‘rapists’ and ‘drug dealers,’ that he has promised to tear families apart and deport 11.3 million undocumented immigrants, and that he has promised to get rid of President Obama’s executive orders on immigration, known as DACA and DAPA. That is fundamentally un-American, and it runs counter to the values that have made America great for so long. End of story.”

###

--

Walter Garcia
Western Regional Press Secretary
Democratic National Committee (DNC)
Email: [email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>
Twitter: @WalterGarcia231<https://twitter.com/WalterGarcia231>
[SigDems]<http://www.democrats.org/>