Bush Salutes Mexican Holiday

Reaching out to Mexicans on both sides of the Rio Grande, President Bush on Saturday honored the Cinco de Mayo holiday and praised immigrants whose hard work and family ties enrich America.

In his weekly radio address, Bush renewed his pledge to help “the entire American familia achieve prosperity and live in peace.”

He said that people on both the U.S. and Mexican sides of the Rio Grande value independence, freedom and opportunity. He cited Mexican immigrants for their “strong values and their determination to create a better life for themselves and their children.”

Bush worked with measurable success to win Latino votes in his 2000 presidential campaign, and he is the first president to follow his weekly radio speeches with a Spanish translation.

Democrats, whose party traditionally received strong support in the Latino community, dismiss Bush’s overtures to Spanish-speaking voters as more symbolic than real.

The radio broadcast was Bush’s second annual commemoration of the Mexican national holiday, which is today.

Cinco de Mayo--the fifth of May--celebrates the victory of Mexican soldiers over the French at the 1862 Battle of Puebla.

“That victory continues to inspire liberty-loving people across the globe,” Bush said. “It reminds us that the cost of freedom is always high, but it is never too high.”

Bush renewed his support for border reforms to speed commerce and visitors between Mexico and the United States while keeping out terrorists and drug traffickers. He urged Congress to extend immigration measures allowing Mexican families to stay together while awaiting permanent residency in the United States.