Bill Posey: “I thank the gentleman from Michigan for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be joined here today by my colleague…”

“I thank the gentleman from Michigan for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be joined here today by my colleague, Resident Commissioner Pierluisi, whom you just heard from, in support of our bill, H.R. 1726, to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Puerto Rico's 65th Infantry Regiment, known as the Borinqueneers. During the darkest days of the Korean war, the Borinqueneers, an ethnically segregated unit, served with singular distinction during a multitude of major and minor combat engagements. During the now famous Battle of Chosin Reservoir, the regiment fought alongside the 1st Marine Division, covering them through what is recognized as one of the greatest strategic withdrawals in military history. The regiment was known for its fierceness in the face of the enemy and demonstrated their exceptional courage by launching the last recorded battalion-size bayonet charge in U.S. military history. For its service, the regiment was singled out for special recognition by General Douglas MacArthur, who declared: I am proud, indeed, to have them in this command. I wish that we might have many more like them. Last month, Borinqueneer Master Sergeant Juan Negron was awarded the Medal of Honor, our Nation's highest military honor for heroic actions ``above and beyond the call of duty.'' His actions reflect the fighting spirit, sense of duty, and dedication of the entire regiment.…”