On the recordApril 13, 2016
Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of the 65th Infantry Regiment, a segregated Puerto Rican unit known as the Borinqueneers. The regiment was created in 1917, and it remained segregated throughout World Wars I and II and most of the Korean war, even after President Truman ordered the desegregation of the Armed Forces. These soldiers sacrificed everything for a country that had not yet embraced the rights of Hispanic Americans--a shame for our country, but a show of incredible loyalty and service by those who served. Today, the House and Senate leaders will present a Congressional Gold Medal in honor of the 65th Infantry Regiment. In attendance will be Cas Rodriguez, Sr., chairman of the Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York. I thank Cas and the others who worked so hard to make sure that Americans will never forget the service of the 65th Infantry Regiment. ____________________
