Luis Fortuno: “during this month, our country proudly celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month. In the midst of this celebration, it is with…”

“during this month, our country proudly celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month. In the midst of this celebration, it is with great honor and pride that I stand in support of H. Res. 443 which seeks to recognize the service of the 65th infantry regiment during the Korean War known as the Borinqueneers Regiment. I also want to thank Congressman McGovern for his leadership in honoring these brave soldiers. At a time when there is a national dialogue on the contributions of Hispanic Americans, there is no better way to recognize their achievements, than by voting for H. Res. 443. We know that since the Civil War, where over 10,000 Hispanic Americans wore uniforms for both sides, the number of soldiers of Hispanic heritage that have served in each conflict has been significant. Their participation in every military conflict is a source of many heroic actions. In World War I, 200,000 Hispanics were mobilized and to this day we hear stories of their valor, and devotion to spread democracy and freedom around the World. Roughly half a million Hispanics served during World War II. They fought bravely in all of the major conflicts extending throughout Europe, the Pacific and Africa. But it is during the Korean War that over 148,000 Hispanics served, of which 20,000 were from my district in Puerto Rico. 4,000 of them comprised the 65th Infantry Regiment, the largest U.S. infantry regiment for that war.”