RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Mexican Independence Day, known as El Grito, will be celebrated this year on the sixteenth of September; and
WHEREAS, The seminal figure associated with Mexican Independence Day is Father Miguel Hidalgo, a Roman Catholic Priest and a leader of the Mexican War of Independence; and
WHEREAS, On September 16, 1810, Father Hidalgo gave a famous speech, known as "El Grito de Dolores" or the "Cry of Dolores," exhorting his parishioners to join him in his fight against the injustices of the Spanish colonial rule; and
WHEREAS, El Grito de Dolores marked the beginning of the long Mexican War of Independence, which Mexicans fought with resolute determination until they achieved their independence in 1821; and
WHEREAS, This year marks the 206th anniversary of Mexico's independence from Spanish colonial rule; and
WHEREAS, Mexican Independence Day is one ofthe country's most important holidays;
and
WHEREAS, On this festive occasion, the red, white and green Mexican flag, as well as flowers and decorations in the colors of Mexico, are on abundant display, whistles and horns are blown and confetti is thrown, and feasts, dances and parades are held; and
WHEREAS, Fiestas Patrias Chicago Committee is a group of over 100 prominent Mexican Chicagoans who have revitalized the celebration of Mexican Independence Day in our City; and
WHEREAS, El Grito 2016 will be celebrated in Harrison Park in the City's Pilsen community on September 15, 2016, featuring Mexican cuisine, traditional dancing, marching bands, and floats; and
WHEREAS, El Grito 2016 is an opportunity for the one and a half million Mexicans in the Chicago area to celebrate the culture and history of Mexico; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this fourteenth day of September, 2016, do hereby acknowledge the cultural and historical significance of Mexican Independence Day; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this ...
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