J 298: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 13, 2025, as Borinqueneers Day in the State of New York

 Senate Resolution No. 298 BY: Senator FERNANDEZ MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 13, 2025, as Borinqueneers Day in the State of New York WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Services from the State of New York, who have served so faithfully and courageously in wars in which our Nation's freedom was at stake, as well as in the preservation of peace during peacetime, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 13, 2025, as Borinqueneers Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Borinqueneers Day; and WHEREAS, In 2020, Congress passed the National Defense Authorization Act, which included legislation supporting April 13th as National Borinqueneers Day; it was passed into law January 1, 2021; and WHEREAS, Since its inception, National Borinqueneers Day is celebrated annually to recognize the many meritorious contributions of the Borinqueneers and to highlight their representation of Hispanic soldiers and veterans; and WHEREAS, The Borinqueneers have been recognized for their valor during the Korean War; their awards include two Korean Presidential Unit Citations, 2,771 Purple Heart Medals, 606 Bronze Stars, 256 Silver Stars, nine Distinguished Service Crosses, and the Medal of Honor; and WHEREAS, The 65th U.S. Army Infantry Regiment, the Borinqueneers, began as the Battalion of Puerto Rican Volunteers in the aftermath of the Spanish American War of 1898; the unit officially became part of the U.S. Army in 1908, and came to be known as the Puerto Rican Regiment; and WHEREAS, Although formed and trained, racial prejudice and segregation prevented them from seeing action during World War II; however, when the Korean War began in 1950, they were deployed as first-line combat troops; and WHEREAS, The Borinqueneers achieved great success in the first half of the war; they succeeded in Operation Thunderbolt and Operation Exploitation, the last U.S. Army battalion-sized bayonet charge in history; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organizations and events of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 13, 2025, as Borinqueneers Day in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New York.