SR0160 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The United States 65th Infantry Regiment, better known as the Borinqueneers, traces its lineage from the first U.S. Infantry Battalion of native Puerto Rico Volunteer Troops authorized by Congress in 1899; and

WHEREAS, During World War I, after Puerto Rico patriotically requested that the Selective Service Draft law be extended to Puerto Rico, the 65th Infantry Regiment went to war with the strength of 1,969 men; the unit bravely defended the Panama Canal and fought overseas for liberty; and

WHEREAS, After serving in both the North African and European theaters during World War II, the 65th Infantry Regiment stayed after Germany's surrender to serve in dangerous security, anti-sabotage, and other occupation missions around Kaiserslautern and Mannheim, Germany; the troops of the 65th were among the last units to come home from the war; and

WHEREAS, In 1950, after arriving in Pusan, the men of the 65th Infantry Regiment were one of the first fighting infantrymen of the U.S. 3rd Infantry Division (The Rock of the Marne) to fearlessly meet the enemy on the battlefield of Korea; and

WHEREAS, In 1950, the 65th Infantry Regiment bravely protected the 1st Marine Division, the Army's 7th Infantry Division, and their supply lines as they withdrew from a large Chinese army near the Manchurian border that had recently agreed to support North Korea during the campaign; and

WHEREAS, The 65th Infantry Regiment held their own against overwhelming enemy forces in a rear-guard action during the strategic evacuation of Hungnam, helping United Nations and U.S. forces to successfully return to South Korea to fight again another day; and

WHEREAS, In 1951, the 65th Infantry Regiment fought for three days before the 449th and 262nd Battalions fixed bayonets and boldly charged the Chinese troops in order to force an enemy retreat and take the disputed hill through the last bayonet charge in U.S. Army history; and

WHEREAS, The 65th Infantry Regiment saved the 3rd Division Headquarters and its commanding general while camping nearby when they spotted the enemy approaching and organized a counterattack after an enemy infantry regiment infiltrated the lines; and

WHEREAS, During the Korean War, Puerto Rico represented some 61,000 soldiers who served the U.S. Army; Puerto Rico sustained one casualty for every 660 of its inhabitants, proportionately suffering more casualties than a majority of states; and

WHEREAS, 6,000 Puerto Rican soldiers served in the 65th Infantry Regiment, distinguishing themselves over a three-year period and receiving awards for bravery; the soldiers of the 65th were also credited with the last regimental bayonet assault in U.S. Army history; and

WHEREAS, The Borinqueneers selflessly served and sacrificed, repeatedly giving credence to General Douglas MacArthur's statement that "the gallant 65th Infantry... by valor, determination, and a resolute will to victory give daily testament their invincible loyalty to the United States", ensuring our prosperity as they faced segregation, discrimination, and unequal American citizenship; and

WHEREAS, The Borinqueneers helped pave the way for full integration of the United States Armed Forces and ensuring equal U.S. citizenship and civil rights for all that reside in the United States under our flag; and

WHEREAS, Major achievements are attributed to many of those who returned to civilian life and earned leadership positions and respect as businessmen, corporate executives, religious leaders, lawyers, doctors, educators, bankers, and political leaders; and

WHEREAS, The U.S. 65th Infantry Regiment's colors were passed to the Puerto Rico National Guard in 1959; this marks the only instance in U.S. Army history that Active Unit Colors were turned over to a National Guard Unit, rather than retired; and

WHEREAS, The U.S. 65th Infantry Regiment has repeatedly displayed its bravery in combat, earning Battle Campaign Awards for Naples-Foggian, Rome-Arne, Central Europe, and Rhineland Campaigns during World War II, and nine Korean Battle Campaign Awards, the Presidential and Meritorious Unit Commendations, two Korean Presidential Unit Citations, the Greek Gold Medal, the Navy Unit Commendation, and others during the Korean War; its individual members have received 10 Distinguished Service Crosses, 258 Silver Stars, 628 Bronze Stars, and over 2,700 Purple Hearts, among many other individual awards; and

WHEREAS, These brave Borinqueneers have earned their place alongside the great list of American heroes and are deserving of being honored, commended, and never forgotten by this august body and the United States of America for their great feats of courage; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize the United States 65th Infantry Regiment (the Borinqueneers) for their painful sacrifices, selfless service, gallantry in battle, great contributions, and steadfast loyalty to our nation; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge Congress and the President to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the Borinqueneers of the U.S. 65th Infantry Regiment; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we encourage the Governor of the State of Illinois to issue a proclamation articulating his support in granting the Congressional Gold Medal to the U.S. 65th Infantry Regiment and to utilize his resources in realizing the aforementioned request; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we commend the efforts of the original US 65th Infantry Regiment Association for their work as the principle keepers of the Borinqueneers' brave flame of devotion to Duty, Honor, and Country; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be sent to the President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico, the members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the Illinois House of Representatives, the President of the US 65th Veterans' Association, the Chairman of the Borinqueneer CGM Alliance, and the Puerto Rican Agenda Committee.