K 822: Commemorating the 105th Anniversary of the naming of the Borinqueneers on June 4, 2025

 Assembly Resolution No. 822 BY: M. of A. Ramos COMMEMORATING the 105th Anniversary of the naming of the Borinqueneers on June 4, 2025, and paying tribute to these soldiers of the 65th Infantry Regiment for their courage, bravery, service and dedication to the United States Armed Forces 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 commemorate the 105th Anniversary of the naming of the Borinqueneers on June 4, 2025, and to pay tribute to these soldiers of the 65th Infantry Regiment for their courage, bravery, service and dedication to the United States Armed Forces; and WHEREAS, Each year, National Borinqueneers Day is celebrated in April to recognize the many meritorious contributions of the Borinqueneers and to highlight their representation of Hispanic soldiers and veterans; and WHEREAS, The 65th Infantry Regiment, nicknamed the Borinqueneers during the Korean War for the original Taino Indian name for Puerto Rico (Borinquen), is a Puerto Rican regiment of the United States Army; and WHEREAS, On March 2, 1899, the United States Congress created the Army Appropriation Bill to create the first body of native troops in Puerto Rico, and on June 30, 1901, the "Porto Rico Provisional Regiment of Infantry" was organized; and WHEREAS, On July 1, 1908, the United States Congress incorporated the regiment into the regular Army as the Puerto Rico Regiment of Infantry, United States Army, and on May 14, 1917, the regiment was activated, and additional men were assigned, with the unit being sent to serve at Panama; on June 4, 1920, the regiment was renamed the 65th Infantry; and WHEREAS, During World War II, the 65th Infantry Regiment saw action in the European Theater, especially France and Germany, participating in Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno and Rhin; years later, several Purple Hearts were awarded posthumously to members of the regiment; and WHEREAS, During the Korean War, the 65th Infantry Regiment, hereafter, the Borinqueneers, engaged in substantial combat operations on the Korean Peninsula, and the unit played a central role in several offenses and counter-offenses that earned it well-deserved admiration and commendation; and WHEREAS, Wounded Borinqueneers were evacuated from Korea to Walter Reed Medical Center in Baltimore and once discharged, they would fly from Baltimore to Laguardia Airport in New York where they would stay a few days and participate in parades in the Bronx and Harlem; and WHEREAS, The 65th Infantry Regiment was deactivated from the regular United States Army, and in 1959, its units and regimental number were assigned to the Puerto Rico National Guard; and WHEREAS, The United States Army Center of Military History in 1982 officially authorized designating the 65th Infantry Regiment as the "Borinqueneers"; and WHEREAS, On June 14, 2014, President Obama signed into law 113-129 the Borinqueneers Congressional Gold Medal authorization bill; and WHEREAS, The Borinqueneers have been honored and recognized in and throughout the great State of New York for their contributions, including having a section of Southern Boulevard in the South Bronx co-named La 65 de Infanteria Boulevard in 2012, and having the National Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York City dedicated to them in 2014; and WHEREAS, On April 13, 2016, Congress awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to the 65th Infantry Regiment in recognition of the Borinqueneers' numerous contributions to American history and outstanding military service from World War I through the recent conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq; and WHEREAS, The Borinqueneers were symbols of hope for people willing to make sacrifices for a better future, even as they searched for acceptance and equality; as long as the memory of their valor is honored, their sacrifices will not be in vain, and their legacy will live on for generations of Puerto Ricans to be proud of; and WHEREAS, Our Nation's veterans deserve to be recognized, commended and thanked by the people of the State of New York for their service and for their dedication to their communities, their State and their Nation; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 105th Anniversary of the naming of the Borinqueneers on June 4, 2025, and to pay tribute to these soldiers of the 65th Infantry Regiment for their courage, bravery, service and dedication to the United States Armed Forces; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the National Museum of the United States Army and the New York Military Museum and Veterans Research Center.