2019 Assembly Resolution 18
ENGROSSED RESOLUTION
Relating to: recognizing November 2, 2019, as Día de los Muertos in the state of Wisconsin.
Whereas, Día de los Muertos is the traditional Mexican celebration and remembrance of the dead; and
Whereas, the origins of Día de los Muertos date back thousands of years to indigenous Aztec and Mayan rituals; and
Whereas, the ceremonies begin on the 31st of October, when the spirits of children are invited to return with offerings of toys and candies; and
Whereas, on the 2nd of November, the ceremonies turn to invite the spirits of adults who have passed on; and
Whereas, Día de los Muertos honors friends and family who have passed away with celebrations, food, dance, and other activities, including visiting family members' graves to clean them and make offerings; and making ofrendas to hold the gifts for the deceased, in hopes of reuniting with them and asking for their guidance; and
Whereas, on Día de los Muertos, celebrants make calaveras, ornately decorated sugar skulls that are emblematic of the holiday; and also make pan de muerto, a bread covered in sugar with bone decorations, as well as many other traditional Mexican dishes; and
Whereas, Mexicans and people of Mexican descent have lived in Wisconsin since at least 1866; and
Whereas, Mexicans have moved to Wisconsin in large numbers since the 1910s, and are now part of the fabric of the state; and
Whereas, there are now over 270,000 Wisconsinites of Mexican heritage; and
Whereas, thousands of people across Wisconsin will celebrate Día de los Muertos this year with their family members, both living and deceased; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the
assembly, That the Wisconsin State Assembly recognizes November 2, 2019, as Día de los Muertos in the state of Wisconsin.
