May 4 / Administration of George Bush, 1992

Appointment of John C. Harper as Chairman of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation May 4, 1992

The President has announced his inten- tion. He has also been active in the ongoing tion to appoint the Reverend John C. Harp- restoration of St. John’s Church and its par- er to be Chairman of the Advisory Council ish house, Ashburton House, both of which on Historic Preservation. He would succeed are listed on the National Historic Register. John F. W. Rogers. Born in Winthrop, MA, Dr. Harper grad- Since 1963, Dr. Harper has served as rec- uated from Harvard University (A.B., 1946), tor of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Lafay- Episcopal Theological School (B.D., 1953), ette Square, Washington, DC. He currently George Washington University (D.D., serves on the Decatur House Council, pre- 1966), and Nashotah House (D.C.L., 1983). viously served on the Woodrow Wilson He is married, has three children, and lives House Council, and is an ex officio member in Washington, DC. of the National Trust for Historic Preserva-

Remarks at a Cinco de Mayo Celebration May 5, 1992

If I might be informal, Gus, thank you mark and for creating the institute to very much for the warm introduction and strengthen the ties of friendship between the warm welcome. And I just can’t tell you our two nations. how pleased I am to be in this beautiful Relations between the and place. There are many familiar faces out are tremendously important to both there, so many Members of both Chambers our countries. It’s exciting to note, and I from Mexico. We salute you, and we wel- would note and I’d say with some pride, come you all. I had a chance to greet the that relations between Mexico and the Members a second ago. Members of the United States have never been better than Mexican-American business community, they are now. And I take great pride in we’re very pleased to have you all here. I that, as I say, but I commend especially see Senator Gramm and Representatives Carlos Salinas for the role that he’s played Kolbe and Gilman and Tallon, all here to in strengthening this special friendship that salute this show of force and show of friend- benefits both our peoples. The Mexican ship for the delegates from south of the President has done an awful lot to hold out Rio Grande. The interparliamentary union, his hand to us, to emphasize the importance the Mexican-American interparliamentary to Mexico of the U.S.-Mexican relationship. relationship, is a good one. I can tell some And he’s done a wonderful job. of you older members of this delegation that I want to thank all of you for letting me I was a member of that interparliamentary share this special day, a day made even action back in 1968 and 1969 and 1970. more meaningful because 1992 marks 500 So I welcome you all once again. years of Hispanic heritage in this hemi- I was pleased earlier to see Jose Nin˜ o sphere. And this heritage is a wonderful, and Raul Yzaguirre, two American leaders rich tapestry that our kids, Barbara, and I who do so much for strong relations be- were lucky enough to first experience dur- tween Mexico and the United States. And, ing our west Texas years. I remember our of course, I want to take this opportunity Cinco de Mayo festivities out there, explor- to congratulate President Carlos Salinas for ing the ties between our countries, ties of preserving this remarkable historical land- family, friendship, and faith. So, my expo-

690 Administration of George Bush, 1992 / May 5 sure to Cinco de Mayo started in the year Cinco de Mayo is the pride Mexicans every- 1949 out in west Texas, and it’s been a part where have in their heritage.’’ of us ever since. And that’s a glorious thing to celebrate. The Bushes are very lucky to be able to And when I think of the Hispanic commu- keep that celebration alive. Our daughter- nity in our country, the first words to come in-law, as some of you know, was from Mex- to mind are faith, family, and freedom. ico, now an American citizen, and we take These values have been interwoven into the great pride in that. Three of our grand- strong, bright fabric of the Hispanic tradi- children are Hispanic-American, and they tion for generations, and they’re also the bring the wonder of this dual heritage into very values that this Nation was founded our family. I have only one complaint with on. them. All four of them, my daughter-in-law and the three grandchildren, none of them Cinco de Mayo shows that we all have has been able to teach their grandfather to debts to our ancestors who took risks and speak Spanish. [Laughter] When things made sacrifices for us, whether on the bat- calm down a little, maybe I can make a tlefield or out in the farm field. And we little more headway. must honor these men and women who I remember being so proud when Noelle, ached to pass on a richer life, a freer life, our granddaughter, and her mariachi group a better life, who sacrificed all they had in sang at Barbara’s First Ladies luncheon dur- order to guarantee opportunity, freedom, ing our inauguration. I heard the mariachi and hope for their children and their chil- group upstairs, and I’m kind of glad that dren’s children. One essay winner in this there wasn’t a comparison between Noelle’s contest wrote, ‘‘Celebrating the mariachi group and this group of wonderful deeds of our ancestors helps us keep in musicians that enlivened the festivities here. touch with our history and reminds us of But I was delighted to hear the music today. past suffering and hardship that brought We all know the facts of Cinco de Mayo, about the comfort we have today.’’ Cinco that long-ago May 5th when General de Mayo, it does not belong solely to an- Zaragoza and his outnumbered troops stood other land; it’s a celebration of ideals that up to the empire of Napoleon III. Stirring know no border. And today we rejoice at facts, but what’s most important is the spirit the men and women who came to this of that day, the spirit of those few poorly- country from across the world, brought their armed men who turned the battle into a finest strengths, their rich culture, their glorious symbol. Cinco de Mayo is a symbol proudest tradition, and fit them into the vi- of the struggle for self-determination against brant mosaic that is America. astounding odds, and it’s the symbol of a We must also look toward the future to brave people’s unbeatable determination to prepare the legacy we will leave our chil- fight for their own destiny. It’s a day like dren. I believe of all the gifts that we could the downing of the Berlin Wall, the vote against apartheid, the defeat of Iraq’s ag- give them, the three most important are gression: events that transform our world jobs, family, and peace. And the America and the way we see each other. It’s also we will leave to our country will be a better of course, a national holiday, a day of pride land and a more just land if we make in Mexican culture, a day of pride in Mexi- progress here on five key areas. I’m thinking can heritage. of our health care system, our legal system, The Los Angeles Unified School District our education system, our system of Gov- sponsors an annual Cinco de Mayo essay ernment, and of course, we must expand contest, and I just want to share with you world trade. These are the keys to thriving a couple of the quotes. A senior high school in the future. student wrote that this day, and here’s the And so much depends upon trade. Mex- quote, ‘‘instilled within me pride and appre- ico and the United States share a great deal. ciation for the beauty of my people and the President Salinas, as I say, is a dear friend. richness of my roots.’’ And a middle school He also is a bold and imaginative leader, student wrote, ‘‘The real significance of and the deep and enduring relation-

691 May 5 / Administration of George Bush, 1992 ship we’re forging between our countries is they’ve increased by two-thirds just over the based on cooperation, mutual respect, and past 3 years. And our exports of auto parts open trade. And I will fight to tear down and telecommunications equipment have economic barriers with Mexico. doubled. Imagine what will happen under I notice the portrait of Juarez watching a free trade agreement. It will create thou- us. And seeing him reminds me of that sands more jobs on both sides of the border. great fresco I saw upstairs, ‘‘The Liberators And all of us will be winners. And in that of the American Continent.’’ For those who spirit of vital cooperation, I know that we haven’t seen it, it’s a symbol of the friend- will grow together. ship and union that we share. It shows the But all communities within the United great leaders of our lands and a picture of States need to pause right now in the wake North America and Latin America shaking of tragic events in Los Angeles. We must hands. This idealized portrait shows what rethink and reaffirm the bonds that knit all we’re going to achieve in trade because I nationalities together. The violence brought am absolutely committed—put the politics much suffering to the Los Angeles Hispanic aside—I am absolutely committed to signing community. And I am certain that many of a sound North American free trade agree- you, as did I, shared in their pain. And even ment just as soon as possible. The time of as my heart, too, goes out to them, I found opportunity is now. I’ve told our negotiators in the midst of the devastation there were to accelerate their work. I believe we can signs of promise, neighbor helping neigh- conclude a sound and sensible deal before bor, regardless of race or cultural back- this United States election, and I will sign ground. Converging in Los Angeles were it just as soon as it’s ready. three fundamental issues of a civilized soci- A great lesson of our age is that trade ety: justice, order, and tolerance. And these and enterprise can build jobs and certainly must remain our goals as we mend the can preserve freedom. NAFTA, the North wounds of Los Angeles. From New York American free trade agreement, will be the to to San Jose, we must redou- key to higher standards of living for the peo- ble our efforts to build on our strengths, ples of our continent. I hope it helps, and the same strengths of character that are at I’m sure it will, the standard of living in the heart of the Hispanic community here Mexico. I know it will do the same for the in the United States and in Mexico as well. United States. And then I believe the bene- My friends, I look forward to spending fits will flow south where it will open the future Cinco de Mayo days with you. I door for other such free trade agreements. loved the music, as I said. I can’t wait to It will liberate our markets, and it will in- hear it again. And thank you very much, crease trade, investment, and jobs, yes, jobs, Gus, for including me in this wonderful day. in Mexico, in Canada, and right here in the And here’s something my 8-year-old grand- United States of America. son, Jebby, did teach me: Vaya con Dios. I must say, as I look over here I have Thank you very, very much. a little guilt complex because I see Bernie Aronson who is working so very hard and in such effectiveness to bring forth a trade agreement, and he’s done a wonderful job in our relationship. Bernie, I should have mentioned you earlier, but I’m just de- lighted you’re here. Note: The President spoke at 2:17 p.m. at But as he knows and all of us, I think, the Mexican Cultural Institute. In his re- know, a free trade market made up of these marks, he referred to Ambassador Gustavo three nations, Mexico, Canada, and the Petricioli of Mexico; Jose Nin˜o, president of United States, would be the stuff of dreams, the U.S.-Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; one of the largest markets in the world, 360 Raul Yzaguirre, president of the National million consumers in a $6 trillion economy. Council of La Raza; and Bernard W. Now, Mexico is among the fastest growing Aronson, Assistant Secretary of State for national markets for U.S. exports, and Inter-American Affairs.

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