Bill Text: NJ SCR149 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges United States Congress to bestow Congressional Gold Medal upon Puerto Rican 65th Infantry Regiment, also known as "The Borinqueneers."
Sponsorship: Strong Partisan Bill (Democrat 14-1)
Status: (Passed) 2013-12-19 - Filed with Secretary of State [SCR149 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2012-SCR149-Introduced.html
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 149
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
215th LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED APRIL 25, 2013
Sponsored by:
Senator M. TERESA RUIZ
District 29 (Essex)
Senator NELLIE POU
District 35 (Bergen and Passaic)
SYNOPSIS
Urges United States Congress to bestow Congressional Gold Medal upon Puerto Rican 65th Infantry Regiment, also known as "The Borinqueneers."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Concurrent Resolution urging the United States Congress to bestow the Congressional Gold Medal upon the Puerto Rican 65th Infantry Regiment, also known as "The Borinqueneers."
Whereas, The Congressional Gold Medal is the most distinguished award bestowed by Congress in recognition of historic events and outstanding achievements by individuals or institutions, and is an expression of public gratitude on behalf of the entire nation which began with the award of the first medal in 1776; and
Whereas, Among honorees in the arts, sciences, humanitarian service and other fields, Congress has awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to individuals and groups for their outstanding military service, including medals recognizing the distinguished service and valor of segregated units such as the Navajo Code Talkers; the Native American Code Talkers; the Tuskegee Airmen; the Women Airforce Service Pilots of WWII; the mainly Japanese-American 110th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team and Military Intelligence Service of the United States Army; and the Montford Point Marines; and
Whereas, In 1898, following the acquisition of the island of Puerto Rico by the United States, Congress authorized the creation of an Army regiment of local troops, a few years later to be named the 65th Infantry Regiment and to become the all-Hispanic segregated unit in the U.S. Army composed primarily of native Puerto Ricans; and
Whereas, As an all-Hispanic U.S. Army unit, the members of the 65th Infantry Regiment rose above the barriers of discrimination, segregation, and racism to serve bravely in defense of American freedom during WWI, WWII, and the Korean War; and
Whereas, As defenders and protectors of the Panama Canal Zone during WWI and WWII, and as participants in the battles of Naples-Fogis, Rome-Arno, Central Europe, and the Rhineland during WWII, the men of the 65th Infantry Regiment demonstrated determination and valor; and
Whereas, The men of the 65th Infantry Regiment rendered their most distinguished and gallant service during the Korean War when, as part of the Army's 3rd Infantry Division, they defended the U.S. Marines against Chinese troops as they withdrew from the Chosin Reservoir area and, five months later near Seoul, South Korea, took strategic positions from the Chinese by charging forward in a bayonet attack; and
Whereas, It was on their way to the battlefields of Korea that the men of the 65th Infantry Regiment named themselves "The Borinqueneers," in honor of the name "Borinquen" given to the island of Puerto Rico by its first inhabitants, the Taino Indians; and
Whereas, The Borinqueneers became the last segregated unit to be deactivated, and the only unit to be transferred from an active Army component to the Puerto Rican National Guard, where these troops continue their service in the Global War on Terror; and
Whereas, As we commemorate as a nation the 60th anniversary of the end of the Korean War in 2013, it is fitting and proper for the nation to recognize the outstanding service of the brave men of the 65th Infantry Regiment, The Borinqueneers; now therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey (the General Assembly concurring):
1. This House urges the United States Congress to bestow the Congressional Gold Medal upon the members of the 65th Infantry Regiment, also known as "The Borinqueneers," for their outstanding military service to this country during World War I, World War II, and especially the Korean War where these men rendered their most distinguished and gallant service.
2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the President of the Senate and attested to by the Secretary thereof, shall be transmitted to the Borinqueneers Congressional Gold Medal Alliance and to each member of Congress elected from this State.
STATEMENT
This resolution urges the United States Congress to bestow the Congressional Gold Medal on the all-Hispanic 65th Infantry Regiment, also known as "The Borinqueneers."
The Congressional Gold Medal is the most distinguished award bestowed by Congress in recognition of historic events and outstanding achievements by individuals or institutions. Among honorees in the arts, sciences, humanitarian service and other fields, Congress has awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to individuals and groups for their outstanding military service, including medals recognizing the distinguished service and valor of segregated units such as the Navajo Code Talkers; the Native American Code Talkers; the Tuskegee Airmen; the Women Airforce Service Pilots of WWII; the mainly Japanese-American 110th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team and Military Intelligence Service of the United States Army; and the Montford Point Marines.
Following the acquisition of the island of Puerto Rico by the United States in 1898, Congress authorized the creation of an Army regiment of local troops, a few years later to be named the 65th Infantry Regiment and to become the all-Hispanic segregated unit in the U.S. Army composed primarily of native Puerto Ricans. The members of the 65th Infantry Regiment rose above the barriers of discrimination, segregation, and racism to serve bravely in defense of American freedom during WWI, WWII, and the Korean War. It was on their way to the battlefields of Korea that the men of the 65th Infantry Regiment named themselves "The Borinqueneers," in honor of the name "Borinquen" given to the island of Puerto Rico by its first inhabitants, the Taino Indians. As we commemorate as a nation the 60th anniversary of the end of the Korean War, where The Borinqueneers rendered their most distinguished and gallant service, it is fitting and proper to honor them with a Congressional Gold Medal as an expression of public gratitude on behalf of the entire nation.
