New Jersey Puerto Rican Community Applauds President for Signing Legislation Awarding "Borinqueneers" with Congressional Gold Medal

WASHINGTON, June 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- New Jersey's Congressional Gold Medal Alliance applauded President Obama for signing legislation today awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to the Puerto Rican 65^th Infantry Regiment, commonly known as the Borinqueneers.

"I am happy today that the veterans from the 65^th Infantry Regiment are finally getting the recognition they have long deserved," said Sam Delgado, Verizon vice president of external affairs and chair of New Jersey's chapter of the Congressional Gold Medal Alliance. "They fought for our country, they gave their lives and this is an appropriate way to honor them for their sacrifice."

The 65^th Infantry Regiment traces its roots to 1899, after Spain ceded Puerto Rico following the Spanish-American War. As the only Hispanic segregated active-duty military unit in U.S. History, the regiment fought in World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. At the onset of the Korean War, the 65th Infantry called themselves the "Borinqueneers" after Puerto Rico's indigenous name "Borinquen," meaning "Land of the Brave Lord."

In December 1950, the regiment held back a Chinese Army offensive to keep open an escape corridor for the 1st Marine Division's retreat from the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea. On February 2, 1951, two battalions of the 65th Infantry charged Chinese positions for the last battalion-sized bayonet charge in U.S. Army history. For its service in Korea, the Borinqueneers received numerous commendations.

For much of the last year, Latino groups have been lobbying Congress for passage of House Bill (HR 1726) and Senate Bill (S. 1174). The bill passed last month.

New Jersey State Sen. Teresa Ruiz, the prime sponsor of the concurrent resolution in the state Senate that urged Congress to bestow the Gold Medal on the Borinqueneers, praised Obama for moving so quickly.

"This is a proud day for those who fought in the 65th Infantry Regiment," Ruiz said. "We owe a debt of gratitude to the Borinqueneers for their outstanding military service. This is a great moment to forever mark their contributions in our nation's history."

"This is a proud moment for the children and families of the members of the Puerto Rican 65th Infantry Regiment," said Perth Amboy Mayor Wilda Diaz. "All service men and women, including the Borinqueneers fought for our freedom, safety and democracy and this recognition is well-deserved and long awaited."

SOURCE New Jersey's Congressional Gold Medal Alliance