Cinco de Mayo @ White House (2012)

   image from front

One hundred fifty years ago, an outnumbered band of Mexican troops faced an invading French army twice its size. But on May 5, 1862, at the Battle of Puebla, the smaller army crushed the larger force.

   President Obama told the crowd:

                   Watch on YouTube

When the news of the Mexican victory at Puebla reached this house, this country was in the midst of its own struggles. But soon after, the U.S. lent assistance to help Mexico definitively expel the French from their land. And ever since, the United States and Mexico have lived intersecting and overlapping histories. Our two countries share the ties of history and familia and values and commerce and culture. And today, we are more united than ever — in friendship and in common purpose.

Right now, there are more than 50 million Americans of Latino descent — one sixth of our population. You’re our neighbors, our coworkers, our family, our friends. You’re starting businesses. You’re teaching in classrooms. You’re defending this country.  You’re driving America forward.

And for our part, we know that securing our future depends on making sure that all Americans have the opportunity to reach their potential.

Read the full remarks here.

More info: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/05/03/cinco-de-mayo-white-house

 from Oval Office, Rose Garden  

Green room;      in front of family entrance;      and with Jose Rico and Juan Sepulveda

seated at Rose Garden;           the hallways decorated with papel picado

Great Seal

  Julian Alcazar (2nd from left) and former LEAD Intern, is known as "the Mayor"

View from Balcony

on Balcony  

 East Wing

Georgetown Foklorico

                                                                                         With Tony Plana

Then off to sightseeing....

 US Capitol  With "Mayor" at MadHatter