Celebration of the first National Borinqueneers Day
Washington, D.C.- Today, the legacy and service of the Borinqueneers was celebrated nationally in a ceremony hosted by the Resident Comissioner Jenniffer González-Colón, where members of Congress, family members of Borinqueneers, top officials from Administration and the U.S. Army celebrated the courage and contributions of this group of Puerto Ricans during times of great adversity.
Together with the Resident Commissioner were: Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy (FL-07); Congressman Darren Soto (FL-09); the Secretary of the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs, the Honorable Denis McDonough; the Chief of Staff of the Army, General James C. McConville; and Mr. Samuel Rodríguez representing the 65th Infantry Regiment.
" Records show that Puerto Ricans have a long history of service in U.S. conflicts, including the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. With and without citizenship, whether answering the call to mandatory enlistment or doing it so freely and voluntarily, with or without the right to vote for their Commander-in-Chief, Puerto Ricans are known for our sense of responsibility and willingness to fight for the common good. The story of our men of the 65th cannot be buried in history books, it needs to be shared, appreciated and celebrated." saidGonzález-Colón.
"I'm proud to have played a part in designating April 13th as ‘National Borinqueneers Day' in honor of the Puerto Rican soldiers of the U.S. Army's 65th Infantry Regiment," said Murphy. "During the Korean War, they fought with skill and courage despite facing prejudice because of their skin color and the language they spoke. However belated it may be, these men have earned the recognition and respect they are now receiving from a grateful nation."
"I'm proud to join you in recognizing April 13th as the National Borinqueneers Day. The Borinqueneers were courageous Americans, who fought valiantly for decades to defend our country. History will always pay tribute to the sacrifices these brave men and their families made to defend our freedoms. Gracias a los valientes Borinqueneers por su lucha por defender la libertad," said Senator Rick Scott.
"Today, Puerto Ricans enlist in the military at double the rate of mainland residents," continued Congressman Soto."As we come together to honor their lifetime of service and devotion to the United States, we reaffirm that their sacrifices were not in vain. Let history forever remember them as the patriotic heroes who represented the pride and fighting spirit of all Puerto Ricans. Today and always, we thank each of them for their service."
A group of Borinqueneers at Fort Buchanan in San Juan, Puerto Rico witnessed the ceremony via teleconference. Guests at the event in Washington, D.C. praised and applauded the war heroes.
"Thank you to all our beloved Borinqueneers! To those departed, as well as those who are still with us, and family members, know that in me you will always find a dedicated servant, and a fierce advocate of your service and rights as veterans and U.S. citizens," added Congresswoman González-Colón.
National Defense Authorization Act
Section 1088 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (P.L. 116-283), included bipartisan and bicameral language championed by Representatives Jenniffer González Colón (R-PR) and Stephanie Murphy (D-FL) in the House, and by Senators Rick Scott (R-FL), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Bob Menéndez (D-NJ), to support the designation of April 13 as "National Borinqueneers Day" in recognition of the contributions made by the 65th Infantry Regiment to the United States Armed Forces, and its representation of Hispanic veterans and soldiers.
The Borinqueneers have a lengthy history of serving during U.S. armed conflicts. However, it was during the Korean War that the 65th became a truly iconic part of the history of Puerto Rican military service to the U.S. Armed Forces. The unit is known as the last segregated unit of the U.S. military, comprised mostly by soldiers of Hispanic descent.
Overcoming battle, biases and discrimination, the Puerto Rican regiment received a Medal of Honor (recognized by the President in 2014), 9 Distinguished Service Crosses, 256 Silver Stars, more than 600 Bronze Stars, and more than 2,700 Purple Hearts as well as commendations from the Republic of Korea, at the cost of 733 dead and over 2600 wounded.
In recognition of their legacy, Congress passed H.R. 1726 (Public Law 1130-120) introduced by Representative Bill Posey (R-FL), and former Resident Comissioner and current Governor of Puerto Rico, Honorable Pedro Pierluisi. This law awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to the 65th Infantry Regiment, which was presented during an official ceremony at the U.S. Capitol on April 13, 2016. Speaker Paul Ryan remarked that "the Borinqueneers showed us time and again that, courage does not know color; decency does not pick sides. These men did not fight to preserve the status quo; they fought to make their country better. And they succeeded."